New Stud Management And Sales Consignment Course Launched By The National Stud

A new Stud Management and Sales Consignment course, which will replace the former Diploma programme, will be launched by The National Stud in September.

Students will be based in Newmarket from mid-September for 26 weeks and will receive training in all aspects of commercial stud management. The Evening Lecture Programme will continue as part of the course during the breeding season, and this remains open to industry professionals who wish to attend in person, there is also only an online option for those based further afield. The new course came about due to the success of the Entry to Stud Employment programme, which began in 2018 and is jointly funded by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and the Racing Foundation. It is a nine-week residential course followed by a six-month work placement.

Qualifications achieved for successful programme graduates include:

• 1st 4Sport Level 3 Certificate in Thoroughbred Stud Practices
• 1st 4Sport Level 3 Award in the Principles of Transporting Horses by Road on Short Journeys
• Emergency First Aid at Work and Manual Handling certificates

The first term will run from Sept. 18-Dec. 15 with an emphasis on sales preparation for yearling, mare and foal sales, with trainees also embarking on paid placements with consignors for the Tattersalls October and December sales. During the breeding season, the second term will last from Jan. 3-Apr. 7, and participants will gain practical experience in foaling down mares, assist with breeding operations in the covering shed and care/work with The National Stud's stallion roster. The practical stud work will be additionally complemented by rotations in the stud and nominations office, veterinary rounds, off-site trips, management training, career mentoring and relevant additional qualifications. Applicants must be 18 or older by the course start date, and have Thoroughbred handling experience. For more information, please visit The National Stud website.

“We conducted a fundamental review of our Education Programme in 2022 with the aim of meeting recruitment challenges facing the industry across the board,” said CEO Anna Kerr. “One piece of feedback we have had consistently is a concern around lack of income, our Level 2 is a better option for some students who would previously have enrolled on the Diploma course as they get into paid employment sooner. Taking that and other factors into account we have made the decision to elevate the existing Diploma course, with a limited and more selective intake, and move to a September start date to take in the sales season which is a hugely important part of the year. This means that we are not only producing a more rounded graduate but are also operating in line with the academic year which is helpful for students leaving college and universities.”