I AM delighted to welcome on board Caitriona Bolger and Leona Hughes to the ITBA Next Generation Apprentice Scheme.

Having sat in on the second round of interviews and listened to each of their presentations, I am in no doubt that both women are equipped with the drive, ambition and skill-set to forge a successful career within the industry. I am confident that this year’s apprenticeship hosts will be more than pleased with their interns.

As we welcome the new apprentices we also bid farewell to Darren Flynn and Susan Scott. Both performed tremendously in their placements throughout the year. I’d like to wish them the very best in their future careers and I know we will be hearing a lot more about them in the future.

The hugely successful Next Generation branch of the ITBA is now in its third year. This year membership is higher than ever and 30 of us will enjoy lunch at Leopardstown today.

We are looking forward to a packed weekend of the highest quality racing in the world. We also have tours of trainers’ yards and a pre-race picnic in association with the Corinthian Challenge at the Curragh on Sunday.

We are also celebrating the launch of our new website this weekend and we are running a best dressed competition through our new Instagram page. Entering could not be easier. Simply follow @NextGenerationITBA on Instagram, take a picture at Leopardstown, upload it to Instagram and tag us in it.

There is a case of champagne, kindly sponsored by Rathasker Stud, for both the best dressed man and woman.

Web: itbaNG.ie