ITBA Next Generation internship scheme opens

APPLICATIONS are now being accepted for the ITBA Next Generation’s internship scheme.

Established in 2011 with the main aim to develop skills and knowledge of young enthusiasts in the thoroughbred industry, the scheme has shown itself to be a proven platform to help individuals carve out a successful career in the Irish bloodstock industry.

Past interns have worked at sales companies, racecourses, leading stud farms and industry bodies, and have gone on to have successful careers in the industry.

The scheme offers a year-long, fully-paid internship during which successful candidates will gain invaluable experience working in different industry areas.

The placements will begin in September ahead of the sales season and will be divided into three placements.

ITBA’s Junior Internship is targeted at secondary school students over the age of 16 and offers work experience opportunities in the thoroughbred industry. Students will undertake a basic day of thoroughbred handling before being linked with stud farms in their locality where they can develop their skills and knowledge of the thoroughbred industry.

There will also be several opportunities to shadow ITBA’s Next Generation Committee during sales days, race meetings and other industry events.

Application forms and full terms can be found on itba.ie. Forms must be submitted to hmarks@itba.ie before 5pm on Friday, May 15th.

Ballinrobe loses fixture

YESTERDAY’S scheduled jumps meeting at Ballinrobe was cancelled following an early-morning inspection. Heavy rain overnight left the track unraceable. A spokesperson for Horse Racing Ireland told The Irish Field that Ballinrobe is not seeking a replacment fixture.

THE talented novice hurdler Apache Tribe has moved from Noel Kelly’s Co Derry yard to the stables of Gordon Elliott. The six-year-old Jukebox Jury gelding had been quietly fancied for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham following a runaway maiden hurdle success at Ayr in February but did not appear at the Festival. Apache Tribe is declared to run at Ayr today and has been given a Grade 1 entry at the Punchestown Festival.

APPRENTICE jockey Brandon Wilkie from Donegal is due before court in England later this month charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Originally from Letterkenny but with an address in Dromahair, Co Leitrim, Wilkie has been charged in connection with an alleged assault of a racing professional in the Newmarket area in August 2025.

Police were called the following day and Wilkie was arrested a couple of weeks later. He is due to appear before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on April 27th.

Police say that the victim sustained “serious facial injuries” and required hospital treatment.

Wilkie had had 13 mounts in Ireland this season. He has had 64 winners in Britain, but has not ridden there since last August.

SHAUN Murphy, a former jockey and work rider, died this week, aged 59. From Ballincollig in Co Cork, Murphy worked for John Gosden and Saeed bin Suroor, during which time he rode out top class horses such as Swain, Sakhee and Lammtara. He later worked with Jeremy Noseda, Simon and Ed Crisford, Sean Woods and Richard Spencer. His funeral Mass takes place at 10am today in Ballincollig and his family has asked that donations, if desired, be made to Pieta House. He is survived by his wife Marie, who is assistant to trainer Charlie Appleby, daughter Tara and son Cian, who is a conditional jump jockey with trainer Lucy Wadham.

A CELEBRATION of the life of Sir Johnny Weatherby and a thanksgiving will be held on Tuesday, June 9th at The Great Hall, Lincoln’s Inn, London WC2A 3QA. Guests are warmly invited to arrive from 6.30pm, with the address beginning at 7.15pm. All who wish to honour and celebrate Johnny’s life will be most welcome. If you wish to join in the celebration, please confirm your attendance by emailing Lucy at RSVP@weatherbys.co.uk.

ASPIRING entrepreneurs in the racing and equine sector are urged to act fast to secure their place on the new ‘Start Your Own Business’ course at the Racing Academy & Centre of Education (RACE), beginning on May 6th.

Delivered in partnership with Kildare County Council and Kildare Local Enterprise Office, this innovative six-week programme is designed to equip participants with the practical tools needed to turn an idea into a viable business. The course combines on-campus learning with online sessions and applications close next Wednesday, April 22nd.

Tailored specifically to the racing and equine industries, the programme covers every stage of the start-up journey from idea generation and market research to financial planning, compliance, and marketing. Participants will also gain insight into available grants, supports, and enterprise resources, helping them build a clear pathway from concept to launch. The programme is fully funded and open to anyone aged 16 or over. No formal qualifications are required but places are limited and offered on a first-come-first-served basis.

Web: racingacademy.ie

ED Crisford, who currently trains in Newmarket in partnership with his father Simon, is to relocate to Dubai later this year to become private trainer to owner Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Crisford joined his father on the licence at Gainsborough Stables in 2020 and together the pair have enjoyed big-race success at home aboard with the likes of dual Group 1 winner Vandeek and top-class mare Choisya, who won two Group 2s at Meydan and a Group 1 in America last year.

The Crisfords also have a satellite yard in Dubai, from where they have sent out a number of high-profile horses this year including recent Dubai Turf runner-up Quddwah, Dubai World Cup third Meydaan and the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas winner Title Role.

WELSH trainer Evan Williams has been jailed for three years for attacking a dog walker who was on his land. Williams, 55, repeatedly struck Martin Dandridge, 72, with a hockey stick during the assault.

Dandridge suffered injuries including a fractured arm in the incident on Williams’ land in south Wales on December 4th in 2024.

Williams denied a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but was convicted by a unanimous jury following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in March.

Last month Ask Brewster, running in the name of his wife, Cath, who had taken over the licence upon Williams being found guilty, won the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.