Success for New Stud Secretaries' Course at National Stud
A total of 12 delegates attended the National Stud's inaugural Stud Secretaries Course at Wavertree House last week. The course aimed to provide information for new entrants to the profession as well as furthering the career of established secretaries. This course, sponsored by Equisoft, is one of the first courses to be developed under the auspices of the new Wavertree Charitable Trust.
The National Stud is renowned for providing first class training for stud and stable staff and has been running apprenticeships and diploma courses for many years. Its education programme now comes within the remit of the Charitable Trust, and the Trustees have stated their aim to increase both the quality and range of training available.
Andrew Parrish, Chairman of the National Stud, said “We have great plans for the programme and this course is the first step towards implementing them. Training and education are our absolute priority, both for people wishing to work in the industry and the general public”. This inaugural course was fully subscribed, much to the delight of Tabitha Smith, who took on responsibility for the Stud's educational activities at the beginning of September. “Within a very short time of advertising the course” she said “we had our complement of students and had already started a waiting list”.
The Stud Secretaries' course will be included in the National Stud's 2007 Training Programme. For further details, please contact Leaya Dodson on 01638 663464.
Sponsorship Secured for National Stud's New Secretarial Course
Sept 2006 course is now full
Equisoft, the bloodstock software company which provides horse management systems to the National Stud will be sponsoring a new Stud Secretaries' Course from September.
The Trustees of the Wavertree Charitable Trust, which is now responsible for the National Stud's Education and Training Programme, have been keen to expand the range of training courses on offer and the new Stud Secretaries' Course is the first implementation of that plan.
The course will cover all aspects of stud administration, including registration processes, health and safety, IT systems and even the art of digital photography.
Robbie Byrne of Equisoft said “We enjoy a successful working relationship with the National Stud and applaud their endeavours to expand the training on offer. We are very pleased to be supporting this course which looks to be comprehensive and will certainly enhance the skills of anyone involved in stud administration”.
The inaugural course will run from 18th to 22nd September. A few places are still available at a cost of £395 + VAT (including excursions and meals). For further details or to request an application form, please contact Leaya Dodson, Training Co-ordinator on 01638 663464.
Celebrations for Diploma Students
On 12th July, 21 Diploma Students graduated from the National Stud in Newmarket. They were presented with their diplomas and prizes by Mr John Dunlop OBE and Mr Andrew Parrish, Chairman of the National Stud.
The winner of this year's Tim Dunlop Memorial Scholarship was Zoe Isaacson, a former employee of Tara Stud Ireland, who particularly impressed yard supervisors and managers at the Stud with her exceptional horsemanship, positive attitude and attention to detail. Zoe has recently secured herself a job as yearling manager at Waikato Stud, New Zealand.
The National Stud Scholarship Award was won by Sascha Mills, a graduate of Hartpury College and a former employee of Newsells Park Stud, who has been a consistently high achiever both on the yards and academically. Sascha will be going into a full time position at a Newmarket Stud.
The National Stud Merit Award was won by Jasmine Bell. Jasmine came to the Stud with little experience within the thoroughbred breeding industry and throughout the course has shown enthusiasm, positive progression and determination to succeed. She is staying on at the National Stud for the sales season to continue to gain experience and knowledge of the industry.
Right: Class of 2006.
Far Right: Drinks on the lawn.
Top: Zoe Isaacson receives her Tim Dunlop Memorial Scholarship.
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Andrew Parrish, commented "The Thoroughbred breeding industry has identified a need to improve the recruitment and retention of top quality staff. I see the provision of first class education and training as an integral part of our responsibilities. It pleases me greatly to note the high calibre of students participating in the Diploma Course and I am confident that this year's graduates represent a valuable resource".
Major funding boost for National Stud's new education and training facility
The fundraising campaign for a new purpose-built accommodation and training block for students at The National Stud has got off to a flying start thanks to the generosity of a supporter who has contributed £1 million.
The new state of the art facilities will provide self-contained accommodation for 32 students in individual bedrooms, as well as a lecture facility, computer suite and individual seminar rooms.
National Stud Chairman, Andrew Parrish, said "This is a magnificent and very generous contribution which has made a significant in-road into our projected budget of £3 million. The donor does not wish to be identified at this stage. However, it goes without saying that it is an individual who has enormous empathy with the activities of the Stud, particularly our charitable aims. Education and Training is the Stud's most important function in the context of our service to the Thoroughbred industry. We are committed to the strategic priorities laid down in the Donoughue Report and we are working hard with the TBA to ensure that the Stud continues to play a leading role in meeting industry needs".
It is hoped that work on the new building will commence during the first part of 2006, with a projected construction period of 12 months. Full planning permission has already been secured. Further funding is being sought from a range of charitable sources, particularly Educational Trusts.
Mike Mason, Learning and HR Manager at the Stud, is delighted to see the project underway. “This building will eventually replace the current accommodation block” he said. "It has served us well to this point but it was built in the 1960s and is now inadequate to cope with the growing number of students and courses at the Stud. The existing teaching facilities are increasingly unsuitable for modern course needs".
This is the first major capital project to be launched under the auspices of the Wavertree Charitable Trust, which was granted charitable status on 22nd October. The new Board of Trustees held its inaugural meeting in early December.
The building has been designed by Forum Architects of Newmarket, and plans are available for inspection at the National Stud.
Media contact: Jan Wade (07976 827999)
Tim Dunlop Memorial Scholarship
The winner of this year's Tim Dunlop Memorial Scholarship was Miss Rebecca Green. Rebecca graduated on 7th July and received her prize from John Dunlop OBE and Andrew Parrish, Chairman of the National Stud. Rebecca is 21 years of age and a BSc (Hons) graduate from Hartpury College, who completed the College Conversion Course at the Northern Racing College before working at Catridge Farm Stud. Rebecca has her sights set on becoming a bloodstock agent and is currently gaining experience at the July Sales at Tattersalls. John Dunlop said "Rebecca provides a wonderful example of the value of the National Stud training courses. She will clearly benefit from her experience here and looks set to have a great future in the industry".
Mike Mason, the Learning Manager at the National Stud, speaks highly of all the students who have completed the course and also of the staff who have supported the students. The Diploma Course, which is funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, offers a unique opportunity for students to learn on a working stud. The course is 6 months long and encompasses a complete foaling season. The students achieve a government funded NVQ qualification as well as their Diploma and attend a series of lectures based upon the requirements of the thoroughbred breeding industry.
The students received their awards on Thursday 7th July at Wavertree House before heading over to the races to watch Pastoral Pursuits, who is partly owned by the National Stud, win the Darley July Cup.
The Stud is now engaged in looking at future training requirements for the industry and will be running some additional short training courses for the 2006 season to compliment the existing courses. Mike will be working closely with Caroline Turnbull , formerly the Learning Manager at the Stud and now of the TBA, in the provision of new training for the breeding industry. Mike Mason says that this is an exciting opportunity for the industry to reassess and address its perceived training requirement and that the National Stud will endeavour to support the industries training requirement for the future.
