ON Tuesday a packed Cape Cross Centre at Godolphin’s Kildangon Stud were treated to an inspiring keynote speech by Dr Roberta McDonald at the Women’s Network for Irish Racing (WINR) Mentoring Programme launch.

Inspired by a conversation between four women working in the thoroughbred industry, WINR was established in 2017 to help and support women across the racing industry. Dr McDonald gave a warm and generous talk about how mentoring has guided and supported her in her own career. McDonald is currently sustainable solutions lead with Devenish, in 2016 was awarded a prestigious Nuffield Scholarship and is a founding member of the Ceres Network.

WINR chair, Clodagh Kavanagh who is executive director at Godolphin Flying Start, followed up with a lively Q&A on the Mentoring Programme logistics and explained that this round will see nine women mentored by bespoke matched peers to help them forge ahead in their racing related roles.

There is a tight turnaround for the first round of the programme with applications closing on Monday September 5th. You can read more and apply for the Mentoring Programme here: womensirishnetwork4racing.com