A SAYING I often heard growing up was ‘Choose a job you enjoy and you’ll never work a day in your life’ and this is certainly true for many who work in the equine industry.

I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by horses, and some of my fondest childhood memories are of days spent at the races. Coming from a small breeding farm at home, I learnt to appreciate the hard work and dedication of those working in the industry, as well as the highs and lows that come with the game.

This year in particular has been a special one for us, with Thedeviluno providing us with some fantastic days out.

I completed my equine degree in CAFRE Enniskillen, while working weekends and holidays in Martinstown Stud. I then travelled to Lexington in Kentucky, where I spent a year with Juddmonte in the breaking and foaling yards. I thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on side of the industry, but I was keen to explore new career paths and gain insight into the different jobs available within the industry.

I was delighted to be selected for the ITBA Next Gen Internship, as the opportunities I’ve experienced throughout the programme have been both refreshing and invaluable in shaping my future career.

Placement

My first placement was in the ITBA headquarters. This provided a perfect introduction into office-based work. I was involved with registration for the ITBA National Hunt Fillies Bonus Scheme, supporting membership recruitment for 2026, and assisting with organisation of the ITBA Awards Ceremony.

The awards night was a fantastic occasion and one I really enjoyed being involved in. I also served as a point of contact for breeders and produced bi-weekly newsletters to keep members up to date with industry news. It was great to get an insight into the work the ITBA does to support breeders nationwide.

I also got the chance to shadow bloodstock agent Cathy Grassick at the Goffs Orby and Goffs November Foal sales. This was a brilliant experience and helped me to expand my knowledge of the bloodstock side of the industry as well as widening my network of contacts.

For my second placement, I am based in Punchestown Racecourse. This has been a fantastic experience to date and it’s a pleasure to be involved with such a motivated and hard-working team.

Since starting here in February, I assisted with preparation for the Up the Yard Challenge and organisation of the student raceday. These were both enjoyable days to be a part of and provided me with the behind the scenes experience of working at a racetrack.

Preparation for the festival has been in full swing, and I’ve been actively involved in co-ordinating transport, as well as working in the ticketing department of the office. Being involved in such a huge event provides a great buzz, and it’s been a brilliant experience so far.

I will spend my final placement from June to August with the IHRB. This will provide a host of new challenges and one I’m very much looking forward to.

I’d like to express my gratitude to the ITBA for selecting me for this programme and providing me with the chance to experience different roles and expand my knowledge of the thoroughbred industry. I would highly recommend the Next Gen Internship, as I feel it has contributed significantly to both my personal and professional development.

Applications for the 2026/2027 ITBA Next Generation Internship Scheme are now open. For more information and application forms, please visit www.itba.ie or email hmarks@itba.ie