FOUR Irish people are among the new group of Godolphin Flying Start trainees who began their two-year programme at Kildangan Stud this week.

The 12 trainees represent six countries: New Zealand, China, Ireland, UK, Sweden and USA.

The first week on the programme has focused on induction training. In addition to a stallion show and tour of the stud they visited Godolphin’s Ragusa, Old Connell and Blackhall Studs and had a presentation on Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock interests.

They will shortly commence IT and Communications training as well as their Equine Anatomy and Physiology module at University College Dublin. They will commence practical work experience assisting with breaking yearlings at Kildangan in early September.

The group will get a taste of Irish racing at the Curragh this Saturday and will take to the track themselves on Sunday morning running in the Jog For Jockeys 5km and 10km events.

Lectures, visits, assignments and practical experience will continue for the 10-week Irish phase of the programme until the end of October when they will travel to Newmarket for the second part of the process. The trainees will attend the Goffs yearling sales and racing at Dundalk, Laytown and Leopardstown.

The second-year trainees commenced the Australian phase of the programme this week.

Godolphin Flying Start Trainees 2016-2018

• Jessica Berry, USA

• Jack Carlino, USA

• Madison Scott, USA

• Joe Callan, Ireland

• Tim Donworth, Ireland

• Christopher Farrell, Ireland

• Luke Morgan, Ireland

• Megan Hebbert, UK

• Laura Pouri-Robertson, New Zealand

• Todd Pollard, New Zealand

• Renshuai (Michael) Yi, China

• Amie Karlsson, Sweden