Attended Apprenticeship in 2001

I would just say that I can recommend the course to young people wanting to work in the stud industry as it’s a great way to get into the industry.

My family has no connections with either horses or racing. My interest in horses began when I was excluded from mainstream education, and was transferred to a boarding school for children with behavioural problems. The school had riding facilities.

I achieved 4 GCSE. Before starting my Apprenticeship at the National Stud in 2001 I had worked part time at a top Welsh Pony stud. I was advised by a contact of a friend that if I was looking to work with horses the best career prospects would be in the stud industry. I picked the Apprenticeship at The National Stud as it was the best way to get into stud work as a young person and would give me the most experience. The course gave me my start in my career - people don’t give you the opportunity to work on studs without experience.

In the 5 years since leaving the course I’ve worked at studs including Shadwell and New England. I have now returned to The National Stud as a Trainee Yard Supervisor. My long term goal at the moment is to be a Stud Manager on a Thoroughbred stud.

I would just say that I can recommend the course to young people wanting to work in the stud industry as it’s a great way to get into the industry.