students

Growing up near Third Street in Lexington, Ron Mack spent much of his childhood playing football with friends on what was once the infield of the Kentucky Association racetrack, but he didn't realize that they were throwing a football on hallowed ground until years later. After playing football for the University of Kentucky and then building a career in commercial banking in Atlanta, Mack returned to Lexington in 2014 and began digging into the history of horse racing and the Kentucky Association. What Mack learned through his research led to...

Legacy Equine Academy (LEA) and Lexington's Spy Coast Farm have entered into a three-year, multi-faceted partnership for students interested in equestrian and agricultural studies. Spy Coast, which specializes in the breeding and development of performance horses, will provide funding, access to industry events, and career training for LEA student leaders, in addition to the use of Spy Coast's breeding, development, and education center. LEA gives African American and racially diverse middle and high school students the opportunity to learn horsemanship, as well as providing industry-related internships, co-ops, and college scholarships.

Together For Racing Ireland (TfR Ireland) hosted a group of 30 fifth year LCA students and teaching staff from its three current partner schools: Curragh Post Primary, Kildare Town Community School and St. Paul's Secondary School at Goffs in Kildare on Thursday, Feb. 10. The objective of the Goffs tour was to give students an insight into the Irish bloodstock industry, its position as a world leader and its many rewarding opportunities. Goffs Bloodstock Manager Mary Kilduff led the tour, while insight was provided from the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association...

The LCA Work Skills pilot programme, hosted by the Irish National Stud, was launched on Aug. 7. An initiative of Together for Racing Ireland (TfR Ireland) under the umbrella of Together for Racing International (TfRI), the programme brought together students and teaching staff from Curragh Post Primary, Kildare Town Community School and St. Paul's Secondary School. Students were welcomed by INS CEO Cathal Beale at the Michael Osborne Centre, with Godolphin Managing Director Joe Osborne providing some insight into the Irish bloodstock industry. Jane Mangan was the guest speaker, while...

Students from the UK and Ireland arrived at The National Stud this week to begin the 2020 TBA Entry to Stud Employment Programme, The National Stud announced on Monday. The 20 students engage in practical work-based training alongside lectures and industry visits for the first nine weeks. Those students that successfully completed phase one of the programme will be invited to interview for a work placement at a UK stud farm where they will complete their Level 2 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care (Breeding Option). The course is fully...

The education and training survey results, which 699 people participated in from Nov. 4-Dec. 16, 2019, were announced by Horse Racing Ireland on Tuesday. The main challenges of all survey participants-147 employers, 482 employees and 47 students-were financial and getting time off for additional training. Other issues for employees are work hours and low income, while for employers, set-up costs and staff shortages were problems. The 2020 industry education and training strategy developed by HRI to combat these changes are as follows: Attract people to join the racing and breeding...

The Race Track Industry Program has announced the addition of Phil O'Hara to its faculty at the University of Arizona. "Phil, an RTIP alum, is incredibly well-versed in all areas of racing and brings a wealth of knowledge to the students. We could not be more pleased to welcome him back to the program," said Wendy Davis, Director of the Race Track Industry Program. O'Hara is currently the president of P.T. O'Hara, Jr. Services, Inc. a consulting, strategic planning, and project management organization. Previous positions held include, President and CEO...