Young Guns: Amy Meagher

Amy Meagher, Marketing Coordinator at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, answers our questions.

TDN: Tell us about your career to date?

Amy Meagher: I don't have a family background in the industry, but my parents were very much supportive of my interest in horses and encouraged me to start riding ponies at a young age. Growing up in County Kildare I regularly went racing and that's where I developed my desire for a career in the industry. While studying Equine Science at the University of Limerick, I gained hands on experience with Thoroughbreds working at Ashford Stud in Kentucky and also at Newtown Stud in Naas. After graduation I worked for a time as Marketing and Advertising Assistant for the Irish Racing Yearbook, followed by a six-month internship with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. I joined the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) team as Marketing Coordinator in September 2017.

TDN: If you could be one person in the industry for a day who would it be and why?

AM: There are plenty of industry brains I would love to pick, but I think it would be especially insightful to be Miss Patricia O'Kelly of Kilcarn Stud for one day. Miss O'Kelly is absolutely iconic. It's remarkable what she has achieved for so many years, consistently producing top-class racehorses and sale-toppers. Even to scratch the surface of her expertise and depth of knowledge on the bloodstock industry would be phenomenal.

TDN: What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

AM: Over the years I have received two pieces of advice that have resonated with me. The first was given to me by a teacher while I was preparing for an exam. She said “Don't forget the five Ps: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.” The next best piece of advice was “Set your bar high and strive to exceed it.”

TDN: What is the best aspect of your current job?

AM: I like all aspects of my job, the role is rewarding and challenging in equal measure. When I'm in the office I enjoy researching markets and producing new content for our social media channels. I'm very lucky because I regularly get out and about with my job. ITM has a presence at every Irish-based bloodstock sale and I love going to Goffs and Tattersalls, as well as hosting events for our international clients.

TDN: If you weren't working in the horseracing industry what would you be doing?

AM: I have never really considered pursuing a career in any other industry. From a young age I have always aspired to work in horseracing in some capacity. I think I would still work in marketing with a focus on digital marketing. I also find sports psychology really interesting, though I don't think an industry change is on the horizon for me.

TDN: If you had 24 hours to get someone interested in the horseracing industry how would you do it?

AM: I believe there's more to racing than just the winning post and I think most people who are involved in the industry are in it because of the love of the animal. With that in mind, I would take a holistic approach with a view to telling the wider story behind the racing and breeding industry. I think visiting a stud farm, a sales complex, a breaking and training yard and obviously attending a race meeting would help tell the whole story and hopefully spark interest.

TDN: What was your biggest achievement in 2018?

AM: It has been a year of soaking up knowledge and applying the learning I have received from the highly experienced people in ITM and the remarkable industry people my role has afforded me the opportunity to meet. I'm pleased to have reached some of my professional and personal goals, building sound foundations for a much larger goal I have set myself for 2019. Milestones of note in 2018 include co-hosting my first international event with ITM and running in my first charity race.

TDN: Who was your horse of 2018 and why?

AM: Justify, without a doubt. The Triple Crown is the one of the greatest challenges in horseracing and it takes a very special horse, with a rare combination of pedigree, attitude, training and versatility to win it. For Justify to win six races in quick succession, while making history as the first horse in 136 years to win the Kentucky Derby without having raced as a juvenile, as well as becoming only the second undefeated horse to win the Triple Crown is, in my opinion, beyond extraordinary.

TDN: What is your New Year's resolution?

AM: Generally, I don't make New Year's resolutions. I think it's far more productive to set and review goals year round, rather than pile on the pressure in January. I also think it's important to remain open and receptive to the changes a New Year might bring.