Sun shines on National Stud class of 2025 for special graduation ceremony

The National Stud held its graduation ceremony for students from the Stud Management and Sales Consignment and the Entry to Stud Employment programmes at Newmarket's Jockey Club Rooms on Friday.

At a ceremony presided over by Rod Street, former CEO of Great British Racing, Abigail Parker received the Tim Dunlop Memorial Award for best student on the Stud Management and Sales Consignment course while top student honours on the Entry to Stud Employment programme went to Leo Wilson.

Other students who were awarded prizes on the day included Grace Agnew, recipient of the Best Practical Award sponsored by Watership Down, while Adam Walwork was given the Alborada Trust sponsored award for Most Improved.

Reuban Davies received the John Pearce Foundation Award of Merit and the Recognition Award was bestowed on Eve Bentley.

Anna Kerr, CEO of the National Stud, said: “It is fantastic to be able to celebrate our students in such a historic and beautiful setting such as the Jockey Club Rooms. These two courses are tailored to provide the best possible start in the Thoroughbred industry no matter where you come from or experience level you have. It is with huge thanks and gratitude to the trusts and charities who support us that we can provide these opportunities for those who want to work in racing, we wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

The Level 3 Stud Management and Sales Consignment course runs from mid-September to the end of April encompassing both the sales and breeding seasons. Students will participate in sales prep, work placements with consignors, foaling and neo-natal care alongside the comprehensive Evening Lecture Programme and career guidance sessions throughout the course. 

The E2SE has been revised in 2025 in the form of the Thoroughbred Industry Access course which runs for 16 weeks during the summer. This course enables those with little to no experience to learn more about the thoroughbred industry and horseracing in a stud setting before deciding on which area they wish to focus. Some will progress directly onto the Level 3 programme while training and career paths in other industry areas will be developed for others.  

Applications for the 2025–2026 Stun Management and Sales Consignment Course are now open and more information about all of the National Stud's courses and how to apply is available at www.nationalstud.co.uk 

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