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Godolphin Flying Start Celebrates 20th Anniversary

The Godolphin Flying Start programme celebrated its 20th anniversary with an alumni award ceremony and conference at the Legacy Suite at the K Club on June 29.

The conference, “Impact and Influence”, attracted over 100 graduates from around the world. During the prelude, the focus was on His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin Charitable Initiatives led by Godolphin Flying Start Chair Joe Osborne. Diana Cooper, Godolphin's Strategic Adviser for Charities was also among the speakers, as was Lisa Jane Graffard (Class of 2005). Class of 2008 alum Gina Bryce hosted the conference.

Other speakers during the evening included GFS Executive Director Clodagh Kavanagh; CEO of CPL, Lorna Conn; entrepreneur Heinrich Anhold, founder of Stable Lab; Cathal Beale, CEO of the Irish National Stud (Class of 2010); Anna Jones, author of the book “Divide”; and Michael Hardy (2012).

The award winners of the night were:

Rising Star Leadership Award: Annise Montplaisir (2021), the Executive Director of Amplify Horseracing
Rising Star Business Award: Tim Donworth (2018), French trainer
Leadership Excellence Award: Craig Rounsefell (2007), CEO of Boomer Bloodstock and Chair of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia
Business Excellence Award: Gary King (2010), Senior Vice-President, Thoroughbred Daily News & President of TDN AusNZ.

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12 Questions: James McHale

First job in the Thoroughbred industry?

Pupil Assistant to Ian Williams.

Biggest influence on your career?

I've been lucky to get guidance and advice from many great people, Ian gave me a great chance at the start. More recently Joe Osborne and David Redvers have been great influences in different ways and I have to mention my colleague Nick Craven at Weatherbys. My family has also been very supportive of me working in racing.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

Sea The Stars really was a huge favourite of mine and I saw him race a lot. On a more personal level I loved the tenacity of a filly my father raced, Law Of The Range, and she has done well at stud, as well.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

Ten Sovereigns has a good profile for that accolade.

Greatest race in the world?

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?

Aidan O'Brien, I wanted to be a trainer!

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

James Read is doing a really good job at Selwood Bloodstock in Somerset.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

I've checked the list and you aren't missing much. Hopefully Ifach who my father bred and won two from three as a 2-year-old in France last year.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Rajasinghe has had a very high winners to runners ratio from his small first crop of 2-year-olds. Being a son of Choisir, if some of his progeny can be competitive at stakes level he could quickly become more commercially recognised.

Friday night treat?

Good Chinese meal with my wife.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

Watching an unhealthy amount of Test Match Cricket.

Race I wish I'd been there for…

Either of the Gold Cup wins of Dawn Run or Desert Orchid would have been pretty good I reckon.

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Godolphin Flying Start Class of 2020-22 Graduates

Following a rollercoaster two-year period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Godolphin Flying Start graduation ceremony took place in the Cape Cross centre at Kildangan Stud in Ireland June 24. The Godolphin Flying Start program is accredited by the University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Business School as a Graduate Certificate in Management. Among those addressing the graduating class and assembled guests, Helen Brophy, Director of Smurfit Executive Development at UCD and Joe Osborne, Managing Director of Godolphin Ireland and Trustee of Godolphin Flying Start.

“On behalf of the global Godolphin team, I congratulate this graduating class and wish them success and encouragement for their futures in the thoroughbred industry,” said Osborne.

The 2022 graduates comprised trainees from five countries, including Angus Robertson (Australia), Samantha Bussanich (USA), Devon Dougherty (USA), Erin McLaughlin (USA), Tommy Lyon Smith (UK), Brigitte Murphy (Ireland), Donncha McCarthy (Ireland), David Skelly (Ireland), Marine Moussa (France) and Solene Hudbert (France).

The diploma for the top trainee was presented to George Broughton (UK), who achieved the highest grade among the 2022 graduating group, attaining a Distinction award.

Angus Robertson and Samantha Bussanich spoke on behalf of the class, reflecting on the experience of the two years with their fellow classmates.

“We have had the most unorthodox experience in the 19-year history of the program, yet it is one that we would not exchange. At a time when people's lives were sent into turmoil through lockdowns, social distancing, and furlough, we were 11 fortunate individuals who still managed to travel, gain incredible practical and theoretical experience, and develop personally and professionally. This was due to the resilience of the Thoroughbred industry, the fortitude of the Godolphin Flying Start management team, and the generosity of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.”

The next opportunity to apply for Godolphin Flying Start is December 2022. For more information, visit www.godolphinflyingstart.com.

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2021 Class of Godolphin Flying Start Graduates

The 2021 class of Godolphin Flying Star graduated via Zoom on Friday, July 2. The 12 graduates were presented with their diplomas virtually by Godolphin Flying Start graduate and Godolphin Flying Start Trustee Lisa-Jane Graffard. The dozen new graduates are: Lowri Allen (UK), Joseph Bradley (Ireland), Julie Witt (USA), Niamh O'Brien (Ireland), Rachel Wade (USA), Arvin Chadee (UK), Victoria Canessa (Argentina), Marie Rohaut (France), Toshihiro Onikubo (Japan), Emma Coleman (Ireland), Oswald Wedmore (UK) and Caitlin Smith (Australia). Both Lowri Allen and Emma Coleman achieved the joint highest grades among the 2021 graduating group and also received Distinction awards.

“In August 2019, the 12 scholarship recipients for that year's programme arrived at Kildangan full of excitement, energy and anticipation,” said GFS Executive Director Clodagh Kavanagh, who opened the programme. “There are few life experiences as all-encompassing, as varied and as sustained as the two years of Godolphin Flying Start. As very many graduates have said, it is truly life changing. I encourage the class that are graduating today to be active participants in alumni events and to contribute to the thoroughbred industry above and beyond their own careers.”

Added Godolphin Ireland Managing Director and Trustee of Godolphin Flying Start Joe Osborne, “On behalf of the global Godolphin team I congratulate this graduating class and wish them success and encouragement for their futures in the thoroughbred industry. Godolphin Flying Start will now have 201 graduates of the programme, a large milestone.”

“We have had the most unorthodox experience in the 18-year history of the program, yet it is one that we would not exchange,” said UK trainee Arvin Chadee. “At a time when people's lives were sent into turmoil through lockdowns, social distancing, and furlough, I was one of 12 fortunate individuals who still managed to travel, gain incredible practical and theoretical experience, and develop personally and professionally. This was due to the resilience of the Thoroughbred industry, the fortitude of the Godolphin Flying Start management team, and the generosity of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.”

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