Ministers Harris, Heydon Visit the Curragh

Edited Press Release

Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and Minister for State in Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon were interested observers at the Curragh last week as the racing industry's education and skills cohort showed off their wares.

The event was hosted by equuip, Horse Racing Ireland's education and training department, and brought together many elements of the learning community in the racing and breeding industry.

Minister Harris and Minster Heydon met students, apprentices and graduates from a host of industry learning centres such as equuip, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), RACE-Racing Academy and Centre of Education, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA), the Irish National Stud, the Farrier School, Together for Racing International (TFRI), Godolphin Flying Start Thoroughbred industry leadership programme, Agri Aware and Teagasc.

Harris said: “I was so delighted to visit The Curragh and hear from a range of stakeholders across the horse racing industry. We know how vital this industry is to Ireland and we need to showcase what we have here to the world.

“I was also so delighted to see Horse Racing Ireland partnering with our Further Education Sector to ensure that they have the skills they need in the industry. These industry collaborations are vital to ensuring apprenticeship can provide a real and substantive career pathway, with the ability to learn and earn, knowing that you will also receive a recognised qualification. Next year, we will launch a new Stud Farm Assistant apprenticeship programme.”