AMY Burke and Sarah Dempsey have graduated from the ITBA Next Generation Apprentice programme.

They received their scrolls at a ceremony in Lawlor’s Hotel in Naas before Christmas. Among those in attendance were ITBA Next Generation chairman Mary Kilduff, her committee, leading breeder Dermot Cantillon and Leo Powell of The Irish Field.

The apprentice scheme is in its seventh year and new recruits Susan Scott and Darren Flynn have just completed their first placements with Emerald Bloodstock and Forenaghts Stud respectively.

Their second placements, which begin on January 11th, will see Susan Scott going to Punchestown Racecourse and Darren Flynn heading to Coolmore Stud.

Commenting on the evening, Mary Kilduff said: “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all employers who each year take on our apprentices and make this scheme possible.”