THE ITBA is hosting an autumn seminar on foal sale preparation co-funded by the Department of Agriculture on Thursday, September 14th at the ITBA HQ Greenhills, Kill, Co Kildare and the Irish National Stud.

A comprehensive panel of industry experts has been secured for the seminar. The morning period at ITBA HQ will be chaired by ITBA CEO Shane O’Dwyer and encompasses each panellist talking about their area of expertise and concludes with a Q & A session.

Cathy Grassick, Newtown Stud will cover topics such as the importance of a good preparation programme to ensure your stock reach their full potential in time for the foal sales as well as breeding for today’s market.

Master Farrier Liam O’Donovan will highlight the importance of correct farriery in young stock. Veterinary surgeon Cormac Feeney from Troytown, Greyabbey Equine Veterinary Services will address all aspects of required vaccination and disease outbreak prevention and Lorraine Fradl, a nutritional expert with Connolly’s Red Mills, will discuss the benefits of a good feeding programme.

The afternoon session sees a visit to the Irish National Stud to be shown a number of foals and a talk about their conformation.

Interested parties should contact ITBA HQ on 045 877543 to reserve places. As space is limited, early booking is essential. Costs include lunch and transport to and from the Irish National Stud. ITBA members receive a subsidised admission fee.

IRISH NATIONAL STUD

The Irish National Stud is naturally blessed with limestone lands protected perfectly by heavy borders of beech, oak, ash and sycamore.

Experts at the stud have developed a model that produces peak performance on auction day yet with an eye to accentuating future achievement on the track.

Careful planning and attention to detail are critical in the development of their sales consignments, every one of which is treated as an individual.

As each sale approaches the stud works closely with clients to ensure the very best outcome is achieved for their bloodstock.

The stud’s longevity and reputation is testament to the performance of both the stud’s homebreds and sales’ consignments. From one year to the next they produce a stellar cast of future equine stars.

PANEL PROFILES

Liam O’Donovan

Master Farrier, Liam O’Donovan, originally from Bantry, Co Cork, came to Kildare in 1986 to work under Martin Leahy at the Irish National Stud. He has worked in some of the leading stud farms in Kildare for the last 30 years.

Liam is an active member of the Irish Master Farriers Association and is currently an examiner with the Irish School of Farriery. He is renowned for his farriery skills in the thoroughbred breeding industry. Last year Liam was a panellist for the very successful ITBA Next Generation Seminar.

Cathy Grassick

Daughter of Sheila and Brian, Cathy assists her mother in running Brian Grassick Bloodstock and Newtown Stud.

She has many years’ experience working with horses in a wide range of roles and also has a degree in Business and Law from UCD.

She joined Brian Grassick Bloodstock as an agent in 2008, having previously worked alongside her father as his assistant for many years.

In recent years she has been responsible for purchasing such good horses as Grandeur, Majestic Queen and Appealing under the Brian Grassick Bloodstock banner.

Newtown Stud has been responsible for producing or consigning many top class horses such as Approve, Rockaway Valley, Three Sea Captains and Dress Rehearsal to name but a few. Cathy is also a member of the ITBA council.

Cormac Feeney

Cormac qualified from UCD in 2003. Having completed his internship, he progressed to senior assistant at Troytown Equine Hospital.

He completed his Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Surgical Examinations in Equine Soft Tissue Surgery in 2011.

Cormac became a partner in 2012 Troytown GreyAbbey Equine Veterinary and combines the expertise of both practices for the benefit of all clients and patients.

The practice is at the forefront of the rapid development of new equipment and in the diagnosis and treatment of equine injury and disease.

Lorraine Fradl

Lorraine is a member of the Connolly’s RED MILLS export team. Her role of international business development includes technical and nutritional support for the international markets and customer.

Lorraine graduated from University College Dublin in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science – Equine.

Lorraine has previously worked with Coolmore Stud USA and Moyglare Stud in Ireland in the area of thoroughbred breeding stock and also show jumpers both in Ireland and abroad.