“BE true to yourselves”. That was the message from Godolphin Ireland and Flying Start director Joe Osborne to the latest graduates of the programme as they were awarded their diplomas last Friday night. The ceremony took place in the Cape Cross Centre at Kildangan Stud and was followed by dinner afterwards at Kildangan House.

Three Irish students, Caoimhe Doherty from Athenry, Sam Harte from Wexford and John Rowe from Slane were among the dozen trainees who successfully completed the two-year course. They were joined on the evening by family and friends, as well as many leading personalities from the industry.

They included the Turf Club Senior Steward Meta Osborne, Goffs CEO Henry Beeby, Ballylinch Stud’s John O’Connor, bloodstock agent Bobby O’Ryan, consignor Michael Buckley, Irish National Stud CEO John Osborne, Tinnakill House Stud’s Dermot Cantillon, Amanda Bossom from Great British Racing and the CEO of Devenish, Owen Brennan, and also among the guests were a number of Darley Flying Start alumni.

One of the latter is Matt Prior who graduated in 2012 and the now Tattersalls auctioneer was the master of ceremonies for the evening. He welcomed the guests who included some who travelled from Australia and Lexington and spoke of Sheikh Mohammed’s vision that created the world renowned programme, which to date has 130 graduates.

He described the impact the course had on his own career and outlined the success of former course members on the racecourse, in the sales ring and in the worlds of media and television.

The Flying Start manager Clodagh Kavanagh paid tribute to her team of coordinators who make the programme work. She described the increased emphasis on innovation, technology and creativity which formed part of the course content in the last year, while also emphasising the quality of academia, horsemanship and personal development required to complete the prestigious course.

A key ingredient in the success of the programme is Kavanagh’s role in maintaining strong relationships with thoroughbred industry leaders, alumni and key personnel in education, essential to preserve the quality of the course. She congratulated the graduating class on their team spirit and achievements, and revealed that graduates are working to form an alumni association.

Flying Start will continue to run professional development conferences, and the next one is due to be held in Lexington, Kentucky in April 2017.

Helen Brophy, director of executive development at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School spoke about the academic standard of the programme and the quality of the graduates, the nature of the impact they make on the organisations they work for, and the organisations they create. She encouraged the class to develop a passion for contribution, hard work and life-long learning and development. She also paid tribute to Clodagh Kavanagh for her commitment.

Godolphin UK and Darley Flying Start director Hugh Anderson presented the diplomas and drew comparisons between his own education and training in the navy and as a barrister with that of the experience gained on Flying Start. He said that the programme would be rebranded as Godolphin Flying Start from next month.

Bryce Bevan from Perth in Western Australia was the top trainee in the graduating class of 2016 having achieved an overall grade of 84%. Bryce will now join Inglis Bloodstock Sales. Ten of the remaining 11 graduates have employment confirmed and start this month. They are Caoimhe Doherty (Racing Post), John Rowe (Ted Voute Sales), Sam Harte (tbc), Dane Robinson (Highclere Racing), Lauren Dunning (Enver Jusifovic), Mimi Wadham (Highclere Stud), Violet Hesketh (Charlie Gordon-Watson Bloodstock), Emma Pugsley (ANZ News), Fanny Cypres (FH Graffard Racing), Hallie Hardy (Godolphin USA) and Steven Hampson (Kiaran McLoughlin).

Dane Robinson and Caoimhe Doherty spoke on behalf of the class and thanked the Flying Start management and the guests for their input. They also made presentations to Joe Osborne, Clodagh Kavanagh and Martin Larkin and showed a creative video where each student paid thanks.