GODOLPHIN Flying Start is a unique and one of the most highly sought-after graduate programmes in the world. It offers an unrivalled opportunity to travel across five countries allowing 12 lucky trainees to immerse themselves in the thoroughbred world of breeding and racing.

We had held out hope that on January 3rd 2021, nine trainees would board a flight from Dublin Airport to meet our American counterparts in Bluegrass Airport, Lexington, Kentucky; however, it wasn’t meant to be.

Our American phase began on January 4th with all 12 trainees logging in online but not exactly as we had anticipated. The majority of the team had arrived back to Kildangan Stud and those who had travelled outside of Ireland for Christmas carried out a two-week quarantine when arriving back. While 10 of the trainees were on site, the two English boys had not yet touched down. The difficult logistics and bans on travel proved it hard to get them back at first; now they have arrived safely and finally all 12 of us are back together again.

Postponed

It has been suggested that the course be postponed for the year. We had hoped that everything would be settled by now, we would’ve been to Newmarket and I should be writing this piece from Lexington rather than sitting at my desk looking out at a dreary day in Kildangan.

What most people don’t realise is that we all agreed to go ahead with the course come what may. The management team of Flying Start did a great job at organising a virtual British phase and we hope it will be the same for the USA phase.

Education

As a group, we have taken a conscious decision not to dwell on what we would have had in a normal year, but to embrace the opportunities we have, the education that we are getting, and the contacts we are making.

Since the beginning of the American virtual phase we have had countless opportunities, one of which was to learn all things Godolphin USA – from live tours of their farms including Jonabell Farm, Stonerside Farm, Raceland Farm, Gainsborough Farm with their managers. We had professional discussions with Jimmy Bell, president of Godolphin America, Dan Pride, chief operating officer of Godolphin America and a live stallion tour of Jonabell with Darren Fox. Our US coordinator Kate Hardy has braved all the elements to bring these live virtual tour to fruition and they have been incredible.

Computer connections

Making connections through a computer screen may be daunting but it’s something which is second nature to us at this stage. To help us embrace American culture that little bit more, each trainee was given a peer mentor. It is someone that we learn from, pick their brains, ask the silly questions you may not want to ask someone else, and keep up to date with the goings on in America. Most importantly it is someone in which we can turn too. They have all been in the position that we are in so they know what to expect and how to help.

Invigorating

The lectures and visits we have had are numerous, just to mention one since we started this phase – our talk with Pat Cummings of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation (TIF). His knowledge, passion and promotion of forward thinking were invigorating. The work that he done to date to better American racing is inspirational, it lit a fire in all of our bellies to better the industry that we are involved in whatever way we can.

University of Kentucky

Now in February, we have a lot to look forward to. Academically we begin our lectures for Applied Equine Nutrition and Feeding at the University of Kentucky under the guidance of Dr Laurie Lawrence. We also have our finance and law modules to complete.

We are due to begin practical rotations this month which are to include: nightwatch for foaling, working in the foaling barn during the day, as well as working with the stallions, with barren/maiden mares, mares with foals on the ground, all while also having the opportunity to work with some partner farms.

Outside of that, we have so much American racing to keep us busy. We set up our own ‘Road to the Kentucky Derby’ to keep us entertained. All 12 trainees selected five horses to put into their stable in the hope that their horses can come out on top of the points’ board!

Despite a worldwide pandemic, our experience of the Godolphin Flying Start to date has been second to none. We realise how fortune we are to get this amazing opportunity, especially while there is so much uncertainty in the world today.

We understand the challenges that Covid-19 has created for Godolphin Flying Start but with adversity comes opportunity, so we look forward to the future with a positive attitude.

If all goes well, we will be granted American visas in the coming months and will travel to Kentucky and not have to worry about the academic side of the course as most of it will be completed before then!

The Godolphin Flying Start course really is a chance of a lifetime. It is an incredible opportunity to learn from the most knowledgeable people in the industry, and it’s all made possible by the generosity and vision of Sheikh Mohammed and for that my fellow trainees and I would like to thank him.

I encourage anyone with a passion for racing and breeding to apply to this incomparable programme. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Visit the www.godolphinflyingstart.com or contact any of the management team or trainees. Twitter @FlyingStartNews,

Instagram @godolphinflyingstart and Facebook at Godolphin Flying Start.