I FIND it hard to believe that this is the final instalment of my year-long ITBA Next Generation apprenticeship.

Coolmore Stud has very generously been my host on my final placement. The yard where I am based, and live, contains some of the best broodmares in the world. It was very satisfying to watch Highland Reel win this year’s King George then look out the kitchen window at his dam in the paddock!

When I first arrived the final coverings for 2016 were being made and we carried out regular checks of the in-foal mares. Soon it was time to begin weaning and carry out basic farm maintenance.

Weekly lectures and field trips were kindly provided by Coolmore to all staff. These included trips to the nearby Fethard Equine Hospital as well as visits to Coolmore’s own top class facilities such as their foaling units, stallion units and their very own grain store.

We had lectures presented by their in-house veterinary surgeons and farriers. One that I found most interesting was on bio-security which has made me more conscious of disease prevention and hygiene. These lectures were topped off by visits to Kildangan Stud, the Irish National Stud and Gilltown Stud.

I recently travelled to Goffs UK in Doncaster to work at the sales for my cousin Damien Flynn of Redgate Bloodstock. Aron Crehan and I also consigned our first yearling and, thanks to tremendous results by his sire Sir Prancealot, our colt was sold outside the ring. We look forward to following his progress and look forward to reinvesting again this November.

I am very lucky to have the opportunity to continue working with Coolmore and this would not have been possible without the help of ITBA Next Generation. It has been a fantastic year in which I have gained a wealth of experience, made new contacts from all around the world and finally made a start at pinhooking.

I can’t thank the teams at the ITBA, Forenaughts Stud, Tinnakill House, Goffs and Coolmore Stud enough for giving me this fantastic opportunity. I wish Leona Hughes and Catríona Bolger all the best for the year ahead and here’s to a fantastic Champions Weekend!