Darley Flying Start Want You!

I have an equestrian background, so I wanted to pursue a career in racing through my passion for horses. I began riding at 10 years old at a riding school, then on my own horses. As a very small 14 year old I began competing a very large 16.3hh thoroughbred gelding, with the kindest temperament and a fierce competitive nature. 

Zodiac Prince, by Zoffany (USA), was a winning racehorse then became a schoolmaster in equestrian. No task was too much for this horse, including eventing, dressage, show jumping and in the show ring as well. Here began my appreciation of thoroughbreds. 

It is quite ironic, as the young lady I bought this horse from as a schoolmaster, Sophie Whittle, also came from a non-racing background and has also ended up working in racing, first for Gai Waterhouse and now as John Messara's Executive Assistant. It is not to be underestimated the influence that one single horse can have on people to fall in love with the sport of racing! 

  The 2002 Queensland Interschool State Equestrian Championships at Toowoomba on our ex-racehorses. Katie Barr on the right on Zodiac Prince by Zoffany(USA).

My parents had no background in horses until my brother and I stated riding as children. 

They became horse addicts themselves and decided to become involved in the thoroughbred industry in 2008. With a tight budget, they bought their first three thoroughbred broodmares. Attending the Magic Millions June Broodmare Sale with my mother Jennie, and my father Stewart on the phone whilst we inspected and bid on mares captured my imagination.

 From that point forward I was hooked on the industry! How could I not be after experiencing the exhilarating sales atmosphere? Their best foal from that crop has won six races, but I was already hooked on racing before she was even born.

Whilst I completed my university degree at the Queensland University of Technology, I went to Glenlogan Park Stud during the university breaks so that I could learn the various angles of breeding that might help my parents with their mares at home. Yearling prep at the January Magic Millions sale with the Glenlogan Park draft, and assisting with foal watch continued to build my interest and skills. The highlight was successfully foaling down our own mares that year at home. I am hugely grateful to stud manager Steve Morley for allowing me to be a part of the team and gain these learning opportunities, as a young person completely clueless in the industry.

I met successful Australian bloodstock agent Craig Rounsefell in 2010, and he told me that he had graduated from the course in 2007. I had never heard of Darley Flying Start at that point, as I was so new to the industry, and I decided to work towards applying once I had enough experience.

Upon completing my degree in mid-2011 (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business double degree, majoring in Marketing), I took up a seasonal office position at the Brisbane Racing Club in their busy period leading up to and during their five week Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. 

Coming into work every morning at 8am and seeing track work made me green with envy, so I decided I wanted to get into the training side of the industry. Robert Heathcote very kindly let me come into his yard to ride slow work to learn. When a permanent position became available I jumped at the opportunity. In many ways, training is similar to conditioning eventers for fitness, and strapping horses on race day reminded me of taking horses to eventing competitions, so it suited me down to the ground.

Strapping Endless Shadow at Eagle Farm in my family's own colours, with Tegan Harrison on board. Their colours are based on Seabiscuit's colours, because Endless Shadow was our first racehorse and is very small like Seabiscuit. Photo by Dan Costello.

In late 2012 I met the General Manager of the Darley Flying Start course, Clodagh Kavanagh. 

Clodagh was on a recruitment trip to Brisbane at the time, and she visited Rob during track work hours one morning, whereby he introduced me to Clodagh whilst I was on the back of a Flying Spur gelding. 

Rob and Clodagh encouraged me to apply for the next Darley Flying Start intake. Thanks to the support from Rob, Steve Morley and the Brisbane Racing Club in referrals, I was fortunate to be accepted onto the course, which in itself has been a dream come true.

What facets have you found most interesting so far?

Exposure to different ways of doing things around the world has given me a diverse appreciation of the industry. I have learnt that there is no right or wrong way to do anything, you simply must work out the best method under the conditions you have to work with.

The first time I laid eyes on the training facilities in Europe I thought I had died and gone to heaven! 

The beautiful and huge expanse of green grassy training grounds at the Curragh in Ireland and in Newmarket in England are a sight for sore eyes. In Newmarket, there are markers in some areas to indicate where to ride on the grass each morning. The markers are moved so that strips of grass will not be ridden on again for an entire year. You cannot ask for better footing, and better grass gallops than that!

Riding out for Darley in Newmarket, England. Photo by Michael R Smithson.

Has the course changed your original aims within the industry?

I had no specific aims when I started the course, I just knew that I wanted a career in the thoroughbred industry. Darley Flying Start is educating me on all areas of the industry in order to allow me to figure out where I can slot myself in most effectively.

All of the trainees recently completed one month of work placements in Australia or New Zealand, and I was lucky enough to go to Godolphin and get an insight into the brilliant mind of trainer John O'Shea. 

I enjoyed every minute, including attending track work six mornings a week, learning to clock fast work, followed by vet inspections, being privy to planning discussions and team meetings in the office, and saddling up at the races and trials. I am so grateful for my month with Godolphin, and it has confirmed that I am very keen on a career working for a trainer in Australia.

What would be your dream job at the conclusion of the course?

My dream job upon graduation in July 2015 would be to work for a trainer in a role that combines practical horse handling and business management tasks. I am a very passionate horse lover, and I love nothing more than working directly with horses on a daily basis. I also love planning and organising training; from planning horses' training preparations and placing them in races, to managing human resources and finding new stable staff. Eventually I hope to become an assistant trainer to a successful, well established trainer.

For more information visit Darley Flying Start, applications closing 20th February 2015. http://www.darleyflyingstart.com/