The board of the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation is delighted to announce details of the newest recipients of its annual Kentucky Experience Awards. Three young and exciting candidates were selected for placement commencing this month at Hunter Valley and Springhouse Farms. Senan MacRedmond and Catherine Donworth will join Hunter Valley and Sarah O'Connor begins a year long sojourn at Springhouse Farm.
Senan, brought up in Kildare surrounded by horses, has a strong background with stints as an apprentice jockey with leading German trainer Peter Schiergen and extensive racing experience in Ireland with Johnny Murtagh, Martin Brassil, Ken Condon and Patrick Prendergast.
He has increased his exposure to bloodstock breeding, recently graduating from the Irish National Stud's renowned Thoroughbred Breeding and Management course and assisting Cathy Grassick at Irish sales.
Senan commented "I am really looking forward to being placed at Hunter Valley. My ambition is to further my knowledge and experience in the breeding industry, and to continue to learn from the best".
Catherine Donworth graduated with a Bachelor of Business Studies from the University of Limerick, and like Senan is a graduate of this year's Irish National Stud training program. The LImerick native grew up on a family horse farm and has gained experience with some of that region's finests farms including Ballyphillip, Kilfrush, Mount Coote and Roundhill Studs.She has also experienced a summer of yearling sales preparation at Ecurie Des Monceaux, perennial leading breeders of French bloodstock.
Catherine stated "I am thrilled to be placed at Hunter Valley Farm and I am looking forward to beginning this next chapter and further developing my experience and knowledge in the thoroughbred industry"
Sarah O'Connor is another with a strong familial link to horses. Originally from County Tipperary, Sarah has extensive experience in her home county with Kilsheelan and Lyonstown Studs and the family owned Nodstown Stables. She has augmented her domestic experience with a season in Coolmore Australia where she also attended the Magic Million Yearling Sale. In addition Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Studies from South East Technological University in Ireland.
Sarah has said "I'm particularly excited to sample the American sales circuit and am really looking forward to experiencing life in Kentucky and Springhouse Farm"
The board of the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation selected three young people that deserve the opportunity to learn and develop their bloodstock skills at Springhouse Farm and Hunter Valley Farm. We believe they will improve their horse skills as they experience Kentucky and learn at two highly reputable stud farms with a very strong Irish connection.
The charity's Erin Dilger was delighted with the calibre of applications and noted "Thank you to our hard working board members and our generous donors - without them we could not do what we do"