Written by Paul Vettise
An international experience of a lifetime was relished by Danielle Southey, who savoured every moment of her five-month thoroughbred stint in Europe.
The 26-year-old was the 2018 winner of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (NZTBA) Scholarship to the Irish National Stud.
Sponsored by the Keith and Faith Taylor Charitable Trust, applications for the 2019 edition are now open with the NZTBA.
Outstanding opportunities
The chance to travel, work on a daily basis with world-class bloodstock and a taste of major racing festivals are open to the winner.
The scholarship gives a young person with a passion for the thoroughbred industry the opportunity to obtain a Diploma in Thoroughbred Breeding.
The successful applicant will spend five months in Kildare, resident at the Irish National Stud along with about 30 other students from around the globe.
Students will get the chance to learn all aspects of yearling preparation at the INS
“It was an entirely different experience and you get to learn so much more from the different ways of doing things when you’re over there,” Southey said.
“It was an entirely different experience and you get to learn so much more from the different ways of doing things when you’re over there.”- Danielle Southey.
“At the National Stud we worked with the likes of Invincible Spirit, National Defense, Dragon Pulse, Gale Force Ten and Elusive Pimpernel and we went to quite a few racing stables, that was a really good part of it, and races,” Southey said. “The Kildare races were really good.
“My parents Brenda Southey and John Mirams came over and that was quite special. I didn’t think my Dad would ever get on a plane for that long. It was so nice to have my family there for the graduation.
“I was so happy I passed and with a merit. All in all, it was a great experience and I made so many great friends.
Danielle Southey pictured with INS chairman, Matt Dempsey
“All in all, it was a great experience and I made so many great friends.” – Danielle Southey.
“I’m back at Trelawney Stud and it’s all going well and we’re right into the foaling season.”
Founded in 1971, the scholarship remains one of the best-known internationally with many of its graduates becoming leading horsemen and women, administrators, trainers, bloodstock agents and auctioneers all over the racing world.
Course participants learn every aspect of thoroughbred management from mating, foaling, yearling preparation and stud office work.
As well, they attend lectures given by leading industry personnel, including vets, farriers, bloodstock agents and those involved in marketing, yard management and business administration.
Past graduates of the course include Cameron Ring, who has recently joined Michael Wallace’s Waterford Bloodstock; Hannah Mee is now with Cambridge horseman Mark Forbes, who won the scholarship 10 years ago; Erin Brett is working for Kip Brooks; Jason Smith is with the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable and Dylan Treweek is with parents Mark and Shelley Treweek at their Lyndhurst Farm.
Applications for the 2019 scholarship close on October 7 with the NZTBA, further details about the scholarship and application process can be found on their website.
Watch: Insights from NZTBA scholarship graduates
