AN audience of approximately 170 young breeding enthusiasts descended on the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, Co Kildare, last Wednesday evening for a careers’ guidance seminar organised by the Young Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.
Advice came from Clodagh Kavanagh of the Darley Flying Start programme, trainer Jim Bolger and leading bloodstock consignor Bill Dwan of the Castlebridge Consignment, with the seminar entitled Racing To A Better Future and chaired by Richard Pugh.
The audience, as Pugh pointed out, was “at an age where you are asking ‘what’s next?’’’ Pugh, who gained a degree in finance, detailed his experience in founding p2p.ie, which identified a niche as a service provider in the racing industry.
Clodagh Kavanagh worked with horses around the world before she was appointed general manager at RACE, a role she now fills with the Darley Flying Start programme. “Like a lot of people I did my own ‘Flying Start’ by writing letters and ringing people and asking if I could go and work with them,” she revealed.
When asked what the most common pitfall in CVs was, she said: “Spelling and formatting. Employers are looking for someone who will do the best they can. If your CV is sloppy it won’t get you an interview.”
She also warned of posting or following inappropriate things on social media, which ultimately reflects on the employer and can be viewed by any potential employer. And what did she look for in Darley Flying Start applicants? “Creativity.”
PROFESSIONAL CONSIGNOR
Bill Dawn’s first job away from the family farm was at Coolmore, where he spent six months in Ireland and six months travelling with the shuttle stallions. “Travelling opened my eyes and I picked up some good ideas.’’
He later made the decision to set up the Castlebridge Consignment, having seen the professionalism of consignors in the USA. “I had no business plan and no money,” he admitted. “Not a good idea, but I survived. If you’re going out alone you’ve got to be prepared to do a lot of sweating and living on your nerves. A lot of success in this business is based on word of mouth and you either get a good reputation or a bad reputation.”
THE BOLGER METHOD
Jim Bolger, who gained a degree in accountancy “as I felt if I was to make a bit of money along the way I’d need to know how to look after it”, gave a highly amusing road map to success and strongly advised students to get a part-time job in order to know what it’s like in the workplace.
“One thing you have to do is make an impression,” he advised. “Your employer is an important person and you’ve to gain a reputation for yourself, not an easy thing to acquire. Three or four years later I will get a call from someone asking me, ‘what was so-and-so like?’ If you don’t like a job, give two weeks’ notice and leave in an honourable way.”
He stressed the importance of being immersed in knowledge. “If you want to get somewhere you need to be informed. Ask plenty of questions and find a mentor. When you do have your own farm, you can still bounce things off people to help you.”
ITBA NEWS
ITBA members wishing to receive a copy of the inaugural Breeders Handbook 2015 should contact the ITBA on 045 877543.
The ITBA Northern Region will host members at a free day’s racing at Downpatrick next Wednesday, March 4th. Members should contact ITBA headquarters to secure tickets.
The ITBA Western Region will host a free pedigree workshop for members, followed by a spring seminar, next Thursday (March 5th) in Ballinasloe, Co Galway. Register your interest by telephoning (045) 877543.