SALLY Carroll attended her final Thoroughbred Breeding Course graduation ceremony yesterday in her role as the Irish National Stud’s Student Liaison Officer.
After more than 20 years with the stud, Sally is retiring later this year. She has been a role model and mentor to many and she has played a formative role in the professional development of many industry success stories.
From stud nurse and vet assistant to yard foreman, from orphan foal rearing to coaching in her current role, her enthusiasm and dedication has had a profoundly positive impact on many people for many years.
Sally spent several years teaching English in the evenings to international students and jockeys who were attending RACE in Kildare town, many of whom credit the success of her teaching skills, her help and support with facilitating their smoother integration into the world of Irish racing.
A particularly proud moment for Sally was when joining one of her former language students, Sylvestre de Sousa, at Ascot to celebrate the first of his champion jockey titles in 2015.
Sally’s working life has also extended beyond Ireland, to Italy, Kentucky, Virginia and Newmarket.
A graduate of the Thoroughbred Breeding Course herself, she also worked at Gilltown Stud and at RACE in Kildare.
AFFECTION
Undertaking NVQ assessments and providing advice and information on best practice also constitutes a large part of Sally’s history and the benefit of her interaction is evident in the affection and high esteem in which she is held by employees in the many Irish and international stud farms who have benefitted from her involvement.
She joined the Irish National Stud as the inaugural ‘stud nurse’ and has undertaken many responsibilities during her time with the Irish National Stud – in the foaling unit, as a tour guide and in latter years she has also been particularly instrumental in expanding the Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Course training course syllabus and increasing the number of industry professionals who pass on their equine knowledge, skills and experiences to each new generation of graduates.
As a consequence of her commitment to continuous improvement, the Thoroughbred Breeding Course continues to attract applications from all over the world and the course develops in conjunction with technological advancements and learning and development best practice.
Recent changes to the continuous assessment aspect of the Thoroughbred Breeding Course instigated by Sally have further raised the level of excellence in the practical and soft skills achieved by the course participants. This increase in quality learning and development will not only benefit the course graduates on a personal level, but will ensure longer term benefits throughout the industry as the 2018 student intake make its way in the world of Irish thoroughbred breeding and racing.
Everyone I speak to after they have been through Sally’s hands has the same thing to say – she is a star.
In 2016 Sally was nominated for the Leadership Award at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Awards. Last year she was presented with a special award by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.
Sally Carroll has worked at the Irish National Stud for over 20 years. Photo Caroline Norris
A race at Naas today [Saturday] is named in her honour.
“Sally’s positive influence and contribution to so many young lives is inestimable, as she is totally committed to the welfare of every INS student regardless of ability or background. The very obvious affection that every new influx of youngsters had for Sally speaks volumes. All her ‘boys and girls’ remember her with great respect and fondness” – Henry Beeby, group chief executive, Goffs.
“Sally will be remembered long after many in our business are forgotten, thanks to the pivotal role she played in the early stages of so many careers. She looked after so many aspects of the students’ lives, from education to social, practical to emotional needs. Everyone I speak to after they have been through Sally’s hands has the same thing to say – she is a star. Long may that star shine and to Sally I would say, take a well-deserved bow” – Leo Powell, editor, The Irish Field
“Sally is just a tremendous person, a real force of nature with ideas bubbling at all times. Her greatness lies in the fact her only motivation has been the betterment of the people in her care. She has been one of my greatest mentors and will continue to be long into the future” – Cathal Beale, CEO, Irish National Stud
“Sally has been the backbone of the Irish National Stud course, from the early days right up until now, and will be greatly missed. She has always been so helpful and supportive to the students and continues to give guidance after graduation which is very much appreciated” – Christy Grassick, manager, Coolmore Stud.
She has put tireless work into helping the next generation of the thoroughbred industry as a connector, educator and ambassador.
“The thoroughbred industry has greatly benefited from Sally’s contribution over the years. Sally has been an inspiration to many young people throughout her career. Sally imparted her enthusiasm in students by ensuring learning outcomes were achieved and that students under her care gained the most from their experience at the Irish National Stud. What was not always apparent to people, is all of the work Sally undertook outside of her remit, her tireless devotion in guiding and mentoring young people, often giving them the confidence to follow their respective goals within the industry and life in general. On behalf of everyone at Arrowfield we thank Sally for all her effort over the years and wish her the very best in the future” – Paul Messara, Arrowfield Stud
“You would need a good-sized book to cover all of Sally’s achievements. What a lady!” – Mark Power, assistant to Joseph O’Brien.
Pat Downes, Henry Beeby and Gerry Dilger presented Sally with a special award at the ITBA National Racing and Breeding Awards last year
“Sally was a mother figure to us all during our time in the Irish National Stud. She has put tireless work into helping the next generation of the thoroughbred industry as a connector, educator and ambassador. It was great to see Sally’s work recognised earlier this year at the ITBA Awards and I wish her all the very best on her retirement” – Brian McGuire - client relations and bloodstock manager, Ciaron Maher Racing Australia
“During my time at the Irish National Stud Sally was an absolute gem. She was like our mother while on the course and I am not sure she ever slept! I still remember vividly the first day I arrived and Sally was there to greet us and introduce us to everyone and made us feel completely included. Sally is a legend and I wish her all the best in the future” – Maria Ryan, assistant to Angus Gold, racing manager for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
“Sally will always hold a special place in my heart. During my time as a student at the INS she was like a mother, a mentor and a friend to us all. She continues to be her graduates’ biggest supporter long after they leave and I am sorry that future generations of INS graduates won’t benefit from her warmth and kindness” – Kate Grimwade, Godolphin pre-training manager.
“Sally is one of life’s true gems, utterly selfless and thoroughly caring. She consistently goes above and beyond to help, always putting others’ needs above her own. She was a rock to all of us in our time at the INS. Although she won’t like the term, she was a true mother figure to us all. A wonderful role model for any person in the industry. The stud is undoubtedly losing one of its main treasures. Thank you for all you have done for us and I wish you all the best in your retirement.” - Cian Warren - assistant to William Haggas.
Sally with INS graduate Pierric Rouxel at a special 'Gathering' event in 2013
“Sally will be sorely missed by the Irish National Stud. I would like to thank her for all her help and patience over the last few years, and Iwish her the best of luck in the next adventure” – John Kennedy, Castlehyde Stud.
“l dealt with Sally when I was running the English National Stud. If we had students drop out of our diploma course l would immediately liaise with Sally as the course in Tully would always be over subscribed. I am sure a lot would have been down to her and she always would send students our way that didn’t make it on to the Irish National Stud course. It was Sally’s knowledge of the whole industry that made her stand out, for the simple reason she knew what the industry wanted and moulded the course to those needs. It was her passion for the thoroughbred industry that made her one of its greatest ambassadors and hence making her indispensable in my opinion” – Brian O’Rourke, Copgrove Hall Stud.