HORSE Racing Ireland last week launched a £1,000 bursary at the Enniskillen Campus of CAFRE.

The bursary, which is open to second year students studying equine management on the Honours Degree programme, will be presented to the successful student at the Campus’s Equine Careers Event in February.

HRI was represented at the launch by Elaine Hatton, general manager of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and HRI’s group human resource manager David Wright, who commented: “Horse Racing Ireland is pleased to be associated with CAFRE, who have embraced in a special way the thoroughbred industry in all its facets and, in doing so, generated enthusiastic graduates for the industry.

“We are pleased that we can contribute to the College in a practical way, focusing on young people in the industry.”

Dr Sam Kennedy, head of Education Service, CAFRE stated: “We at CAFRE are delighted to welcome HRI here today and are extremely grateful for this fantastic opportunity which HRI is providing for our students. We hope to continue to collaborate with HRI and keep providing the racing industry with capable, enthusiastic employees for the future.”

Welcoming the launch of its student bursary, HRI chief executive, Brian Kavanagh, said: “It’s important to encourage and support students with vision for the Irish racing industry, which is what this bursary aims to do. Those undertaking the Equine Management course hope to work in racing; inspiring students to think about what the racing industry means to them is beneficial both to those taking part and to the industry as a whole.”

The bursary will be paid in two instalments: 50% in February and 50% following the successful completion of second year. It is linked to a short video assignment, embracing the theme “What the racing industry means to me”. HRI will make the final decision on the awarding of the bursary.