Applications open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship

Media Release - Thursday April 17

Young professionals in the thoroughbred breeding industry have a unique opportunity to enhance their careers, with applications now open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship.

Click here for more info.

The prestigious scholarship provides funding to undertake an international course and paid placement at the renowned National Stud in the UK.

Named in honour of Les Young, a respected figure in the thoroughbred industry, the scholarship upholds his legacy of mentorship and talent development. Les was a bloodstock agent, journalist, and long-serving member of Thoroughbred Breeders NSW, as well as a foundation member and vice president of the NSW Racehorse Owners Association.

In 1995, he co-founded the Equine Advisory Committee under the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, driving funding for equine research. Today, the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program continues to support industry sustainability through research and development.

Who can apply?

The scholarship is open to individuals aged 18–25 who have at least two years of industry experience in breeding, bloodstock, spelling, or racing and intend to continue contributing to the thoroughbred industry.

Advertisement

Applicants must submit a written application addressing their industry experience, long-term goals, and perspectives on key industry challenges and opportunities, along with two letters of support and a current resume.

Key dates

Applications close: 5 pm (AEST), Wednesday, 30 April 2025

Selection process concludes: Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Successful candidate notified: Thursday, 29 May 2025

Advertisment
More Reading...
Redwood 3YO Salutes
Saturday’s Harrison’s Carpet Hard Flooring 3YO (1600m) at Trentham brought the curtain down on Coulthard’s three-year-old season and hinted at an even brighter future as a four and five-year-old.
Sunshine in Paris Cracks $6million with Doomben 10,000 Victory
This time last year Bella Nipotina won the $1.5million Group I BRC Doomben 10,000 (1200m) before going on to claim victory in The Everest and it will be no surprise to see this year’s winner Sunshine in Paris also attempt the same feat.
Proven Formula For In Flight’s Stakes Success
Kerrie Tibbey’s Goodwood Farm often send a small, but select draft to the Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale, and Saturday’s Listed Magic Millions Bright Shadow Stakes winner In Flight (Flying Artie) joins $11.9m earner Private Eye as another graduate of the farm purchased by the very same connections at the Adelaide sale.
Sires With Winners - Thursday May 15
Here is the full list of 45 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ultimate Gear Changes - Caballus Returns to Form with Stakes Victory
A four year-old son of I Am Invincible, Caballus has never lacked for talent, however his path has not been smooth since selling for $1million as a yearling back in 2022.
Sires With Winners - Friday May 16
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Stakes Win for Iffraaj Mare Francee
Visiting Brazilian hoop Bruno Queiroz is making every post a winner in his local riding stint by adding a maiden New Zealand stakes success to his bag of tricks as he guided gallant mare Francee to a thrilling victory in the Listed James Bull Rangitikei Cup (1600m) at Trentham.
Written Tycoon Filly Captures Denise’s Joy Stakes
Starting as one of the outsiders in the 15 strong Listed Coolmore Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) at Scone on Saturday, the Chris Waller trained Written Tycoon filly Summer Flame continued her solid form to record her first black type victory for owners Rosemont Stud.
Local Victory As Melody Again Wins Dark Jewel Classic
The final group race of the two-day Scone Cup carnival was a case of needing to see it, to believe it as Scott Singleton’s locally trained mare Melody Again came from last to win the $250,000 Group 3 Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic (1400m).
Consecutive Stakes Wins For Cool Aza Beel’s Cool Archie
Birthday boy Chris Munce was experiencing a stellar day at Doomben on Saturday adding Cool Archie’s Group 2 BTC Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) victory to his earlier victory of Brookhaven in the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1600m) the race prior.