The Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation is delighted to announce its latest scholarship recipients for the 2024 Irish National Stud Thorough Breeding Management Program. The scholarships have been awarded to Luis Ettedgui and Grace Hamilton.
Luis is a Venezuelan native and a graduate from the University of Kentucky’s Equine Science & Management program. During his time in Kentucky, he spent two breaking seasons at Juddmonte Farms’ yearling division, one year working under trainer Brad Cox,
and a breeding season at Godolphin’s Stonerside Farm. He owes much of his personal upbringing to Farm Managers Garrett O’Rourke and Gerry Duffy as well as assistant trainer Tessa Walden for their guidance and support throughout his early career as a horseman. Luis,
commented, "I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend the Irish National Stud and to be awarded as the recipient of the Gerry Dilger Scholarship and hope to gain knowledge from a different perspective on thoroughbred breeding management during my time on the course."
Grace. originally from Bluffton, South Carolina, is a University of Kentucky senior majoring in Equine Science and Management and minoring in Business. She has worked in various Thoroughbred industry roles in Kentucky since 2020, including working with broodmares and foals at Coldwater Farm, and gaining experience at major Thoroughbred yearling sales in multiple positions for Blandford Stud and Marette Farrell. In addition, Grace recently completed her for-credit internship at Godolphin’s Jonabell Farm where she assisted with research projects and gave tours of the stallion complex.
Grace remarked “I want to thank the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation and the Dilger family for all the work they do for people pursuing careers in the Thoroughbred industry. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to representing them this spring at the Irish National Stud.”