THERE are four Irish students among the latest batch of Godolphin Flying Start trainees, the 2017–2019 class, who arrived at Kildangan Stud on Monday for the Irish phase of their two-year program.

The 12 trainees who represent six countries (Australia, Ireland, UK, Netherlands, USA and France) will spend 10 weeks here attending lectures, visiting racecourses and studs, completing assignments and attaining practical experience.

This week the group focussed on induction training and were toured around Kildangan Stud. They were also taken to visit Godolphin’s Ragusa, Old Connell and Blackhall Studs and had a presentation on His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock interests. They will shortly commence IT and Communications training as well as their Equine Anatomy and Physiology module at University College Dublin.

Many of the group will have their first taste Irish racing at the Curragh today, and there are also trips planned to Leopardstown and Laytown, as well as the Goffs Yearling Sales.

Trainee Amy Buckley is from Celbridge in Co Kildare and is looking forward to hosting her international classmates on the Ireland phase of the program.

“I’m really excited about showcasing our renowned industry here in Ireland to my fellow trainees. We all come from different disciplines throughout the international thoroughbred industry which is fantastic as we can learn so much from each other.”

Godolphin Flying Start Trainees 2017 - 2019

•Philip Antonacci, USA

•Mackenzie Kirker-Head, USA

•Thomas Harris, UK

•Chloe Pitts, UK

•William McNeile, UK

•Ian Hickey, Ireland

•Amy Buckley, Ireland

•Alison Brassil, Ireland

•Liam Elvidge, Ireland

•Katelyn Butler, Australia

•Naomi Tukker, Netherlands

•Charlotte Rinckenbach, France