Niamh Cassidy – UCD – Veterinary Medicine –
From Celbridge, County Kildare
Awe. Admiration. Inspiration.
As a young woman with a passion for horse racing, a dream to succeed within the industry and a
vision of achieving great things for the sport; these three words are how I would summarise my
experience of Kildangan Stud and Irish Champions Weekend.
The unique behind-the-scenes visit to Kildangan Stud was spectacular. To see this breath-taking
establishment and witness the professionalism and incredible hard work of the entire team at this
world-class stud farm was truly insightful. The talk given to us by managing director Joe Osborne
and general manager Gerry Duffy has opened my eyes to endless opportunities within the horse
racing and bloodstock industries; and for this I am extremely grateful to Godolphin and
Leopardstown Racecourse.
The outing was flawlessly organised and I couldn’t believe how well we were looked after. Everyone
involved was very friendly and helpful; I honestly cannot fault any aspect of the trip. This
demonstrates just how open and welcoming the horse racing industry is and has confirmed for me
that I want to work and live within this marvellous sport for as long as I live.
It was amazing to watch a Darley-bred filly win the opening race of Irish Champions Weekend and to
then see the sire of this filly and the place where her life began. It allowed us to feel involved and
connected with the horses instead of being on the outside looking in, which I think is very important
for the future of horse racing. It is great that Godolphin has recognised this and is showing such
initiative to promote horse racing to the younger generation.
I too wish to promote horse racing to the public, and especially to the younger generation: Already I
am an active member of the Horse Racing Society in UCD: I encourage my peers to go racing and try
to provoke in them an interest in the sport. I would love for more people to experience the wonder
that is the thoroughbred. Like Sheikh Mohammed, my love for this captivating species is at the core
of my passion for racing. There is nothing like listening to the drumming of hooves as horses
thunder past the winning post at blistering speeds… It is a privilege to watch and something that
everyone should experience.
I would love to win this trip to Dubai so that I can witness the fruits of Sheikh Mohammed’s vison to
transform the emirate into a world-class city. I want to see the result of his great ambition to make
Dubai a leading nation in horse racing. I am determined to have a successful career in the horse
racing industry and Sheikh Mohammed is someone I really admire and look up to in this regard. I
aspire to the success of Godolphin and I believe that this opportunity to travel to Dubai could be a
stepping stone in my career and allow me to broaden my horizons, as someday I hope to breed and
train champion racehorses myself.
Mark Boylan – UL – Journalism & New Media – from Banagher,
County Offaly
In horse-racing terms, the words ‘Godolphin’ and ‘Darley’ are synonymous with success and
equine excellence. With outstanding breeding operations across the world, Sheikh
Mohammed’s desire to produce champion racehorses and enrich the global horse racing
industry is nothing short of phenomenal.
As a passionate horse-racing enthusiast, having the opportunity to visit Darley’s illustrious
Irish base at Kildangan was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Gazing in the fields, the
birthplace of many thoroughbred superstars of my era, I imagine that perhaps we were
viewing some possible racing champions of the future.
At the impressive newly-built auditorium, we watched an intriguing video presentation on
Sheikh Mohammed’s development of Dubai from quiet desert land, to one of the world’s
thriving metropolises. As an avid follower of the Dubai-Racing-Carnival, I was hugely
enthusiastic to learn about the foundation of Meydan Racecourse and of Sheikh
Mohammed’s transformation of racing on the sandy shores of Dubai, to the extraordinary
global event of the world’s richest horse-race today at Meydan.
Soon afterwards, we heard Kildangan’s MD Joe Osborne and GM Gerry Duffy speak
passionately about their love of the equine industry and their drive to fulfil Sheikh
Mohammed’s vision. It was very evident that Godolphin’s intentions are not simply to
create champion racehorses, but also to create lasting bonds and relationships with people.
This was particularly evident in Kildare with everyone involved deeply interested in engaging
with the students.
We were latterly introduced to the stallions standing at Kildangan, such as Shamardal, Slade
Power and Teofilo. The knowledge, energy and passion of Stud Director Jimmy Hyland was
immense along with his dedication to ensure success for each stallion.
After an inspiring morning, Leopardstown beckoned where we were treated to racing of the
highest quality and an electric atmosphere for Irish Champions Weekend. Golden Horn and
Legatissimo produced strong performances in the feature contests and attentive students
benefited as Godolphin’s ‘Anamba’ took the opener; as was advised by Jimmy at healthy
odds earlier that morning!
Although still in its relative infancy, the Irish Champions Weekend has already announced
itself as a major meeting on the European racing calendar, and I’m confident that this event
will go from strength-to-strength in the future.
As a lover of racing, from a very young age I have fond memories of watching Nad-AlSheba/Meydan’s racing carnivals from my home in Co.Offaly. Ever since being mesmerised
by the tremendous fanfare and entertainment on-and-off the track, it has been a lifelong
ambition to experience the equine culture that shows an enormous appreciation of the
horse. This became evident to me whilst learning about Sheikh Mohammad’s understanding
of the unbreakable bond between man-and-horse.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sheikh Mohammed for his willingness to
encourage young people into this great sport and for the opportunity to visit the remarkable
facilities at Kildangan and Ireland’s premier racecourses.
Like the proud Burj Khalifa standing tall in Dubai, the sky is the limit for Sheikh Mohammed’s
equine operations and young people in the sport of horse racing.