Class of 2022 make their mark on Irish National Stud course

Some 30 students from seven countries were smiling despite the damp weather in County Kildare as they graduated from the 2022 Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Management Course.

Guests were treated to a stallion parade and toured the Irish Racehorse Experience before addresses from chairman Matt Dempsey and CEO Cathal Beale.

Students have spent the past six months at the stud with the course including lectures and visits to various parts of the Irish industry.

Each year prizes are awarded to the top two achieving students and the prestigious Gold Medal was presented to Theresa O’Donoghue from County Cork, who was considered to have demonstrated an outstanding performance in all aspects of the course, with the Silver Medal being awarded to Alexander Sausville from America.

The INS ‘Jonathan Fitzpatrick Internship’ was awarded to Freddie Morley, who will commence his stint with the INS in July.

The CEO award for the highest score in the equine business exam went to Mathilde Baurens and the continuous assessment award was presented to Hayley Ashcroft.

Members of the 2022 intake with their prizesCredit: Caroline Norris

Annie O’Rourke was the recipient of the Irish Field 'Blue Hen' Award for her winning article. Other awards were presented to Rachel Harvey for best portfolio of assignments, O’Rourke the Dr Sieglinde McGee Award and Morley the veterinary award.

Two new awards were presented this year with the Goffs Internship given to Jack Blake and Anna Cahill receiving the ITBA Next Generation Award.

Class of 2022

Hayley Ashcroft (UK), Mathilde Baurens (France), Jack Blake (Ireland), Eliza Bradbeer (UK), Andrew Buick (Denmark), Anna Cahill (Ireland), Sean Cooper (Ireland), Ciara Corrigan (Ireland), Lucy Cullen (Ireland), Paul Curran (Ireland), Jessica Daly (UK), Cian Gahan (Ireland), Thomas Gerrard (UK), Luke Hammond (USA), Rachel Harvey (UK), Fernando Laffon Lomba (France), Eva Maxwell (Ireland), Freddie Morley (UK), Theresa O’Donoghue (Ireland), Annie O’Rourke (UK), Thomas Quinn (Australia), Ann Reddy (Ireland), Edmond Ryan (Ireland), Alexander Sausville (USA), Megan Sheedy (Ireland), Roisin Whelan (Ireland), Gemma Blumenshine (USA), Tess O’Connor (Australia), Jessica Bailey (Australia), George Chittick (New Zealand)

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