DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION IN RACING
The ITBA Next Generation is the junior wing of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association. It is aimed at students and young breeding enthusiasts. We provide a platform to educate young people with an in-depth insight into the breeding and racing industry.
The committee is governed by an independent board of dynamic, young professionals, passionate about the growth and sustainability of Irish racing.
Learn Today. Lead Tomorrow.
ITBA Next Gen Committee 2022/2023
- Orla Donworth (Chair) – Digital Marketing Executive Goffs
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Orla Donworth is a Digital Marketing Executive at Goffs with 10 years of thoroughbred industry experience. The Limerick native holds a BSc in Equine Science and a MSc in Digital Marketing, as well being a graduate of the National Stud course in the UK. Orla has vast hands-on industry experience, having worked for some of the leading farms across Ireland, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, as well as preparing homebred foals for sale in Ireland.
- Conor Wixted (Vice Chair) – Bloodstock Executive Goffs
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Conor is a member of the Goffs Bloodstock Team and is also part of the inspection team.
Conor has experience as a breeder and a national hunt vendor. He hails from a showing and farming background in Co. Clare and in 2019 he won the Teagasc and Horse Sport Ireland National Young Breeder Competition. Conor holds a BBS in Agribusiness and has just recently completed an MSc in Supply Chain Management from the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School.
- Luke Bleahen – Intern at Goosebump Marketing, Student & Lakefield Farm
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Luke is a 4th-year Business student at UL. He is majoring in marketing and recently spent eight months with Goosebump Marketing Agency, as well as working for a sports prediction start-up app called Herd.
Luke has experience as an amateur jockey and was Champion pony racing rider in the 14.2-15hh division in 2015 having ridden 51 winners in his career. He pinhooks National Hunt foals with his father John of Lakefield Farm and hopes to build on this in the future.
- Taragh Brady –Marketing Executive, Tattersalls Ireland
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Having grown up on a stud farm in Co.Meath, Taragh was involved with horses and ponies from a young age. Taragh spent her teens eventing and worked part time at Tattersalls Ireland on the bloodstock counter and rostrum on sales days.
After graduating from Dublin Business School with a degree in Marketing & Event Management, Taragh worked as Marketing Manager for a fashion company in Dublin for three years before returning to Tattersalls Ireland to work full time in the Marketing department.
- Michelle Fogarty – Pedigree Research Manager, Weatherbys
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Michelle holds a degree in Equine Science and a Diploma in Business Management. She has worked for Kiltinan Stud and Lanes End Farm as well as part taking in sales with Castlebridge, Watership Down and Trickledown Stud. Michelle now manages a team of eight staff at Wetherbys and is responsible for organising the completion of over 30,000 sales catalogue pedigrees and private client pedigrees throughout the year. She is also secretary to the IFHA Tactical Committee.
- Padraic Gahan – Bloodstock & Consigning Executive, Baroda Stud
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Padraic works with Baroda Stud Consigning which consigns at all leading flat and National Hunt sales in Ireland, England and France. He studied Commerce in University College Dublin and since then has worked in the bloodstock industry on stud farms, racing stables and industry bodies in America, Australia and Scotland. Padraic also enjoys breeding and trading his own stock.
- Clare Manning – Owner / Manager Boherguy Stud
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Clare consigns under the Boherguy Stud banner. She was the top vendor at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling sale in Newmarket in 2020, with a new record price top lot. Having completed the Irish National Stud course in 2016 she gained experience in Arrowfield Stud, Winstar Stud Farm, Paca Paca Stud Farm and Baroda Stud. She set up her own operation in 2019 and offers a number of services to clients ranging from sales preparation, consigning to foaling, boarding, breaking and pre training.
In 2021 she was the recipient of the ITBA Next Generation Award.
- Rob O’Callaghan- Manager, Yeomanstown Stud
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Along with his brother David, Robert runs the O’Callaghan family farm of Yeomanstown Stud as well as overseeing the stallion & broodmare operation at Morristown Lattin Stud, home to flagship stallion Dark Angel and over 100 mares.
Robert has gained experience further afield, working for his brother Peter at Woods Edge Farm in Kentucky & Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Farm in Ocala. Robert has been trading under Cavalier Bloodstock for eight years, with successful pinhooks success such as subsequent G2 winner Atomic Jones. Homebreds include Royal Ascot Stakes winner Mountain Angel & dual Stakes winning 2YO Diabolic.
- Leanne O’Sullivan – Marketing Executive HRI
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Leanne graduated from CAFRE Enniskillen with a BSc Honours in Equine Management before completing a Masters in Marketing at UCD Michael Smurfit Business School.
Upon graduating, Leanne completed an internship with The Irish Field Newspaper where she went on to become a full-time Journalist. Leanne then took up a position at Horse Sport Ireland before her current role as Marketing Executive at Horse Racing Ireland.
Leanne is actively involved in the sport horse industry, producing and competing young sport horses.
- David Skelly –Bloodstock Manager, Rathmore Stud
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David Skelly first began working in the thoroughbred industry while completing his Bachelor of Business Studies at the University of Limerick. Since then, David has gained valuable experience working both in Ireland and overseas, as well as being a graduate of both the Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Course, and more recently Godolphin Flying Start. He currently holds the position of Bloodstock Manager at Rathmore Stud, Co. Limerick.
- Joan Tyner – Bloodstock Executive, Goffs
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Joan is a Bloodstock Executive at Goffs with vast industry experience having assisted her parents in training National Hunt horses, prepared yearlings at Dromoland Farm in America and having worked at Yarraman Park Stud in Australia as Assistant Foaling Manager.
She graduated from Maynooth University with an Honours BBS in International Business & Management, completed the Irish National Stud Course and is also a graduate of the BHA Graduate Development Programme.
- Ross O'Mahony - Bloodstock Sales Executive, Tattersalls Ireland
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Ross is a member of the Tattersalls Ireland Bloodstock team, he holds a degree in Equine Science and a diploma in Digital Marketing both from UCD, and completed the Irish National Stud Course in 2020.
Ross got started in the industry in 2017, doing weekends with Mick Buckley, before heading to Coolmore America in 2018 for the season as part of his university placement. Since then, he worked for the Castlemartin Division of Ballylinch Stud and worked for a number of sales consignors before starting the Irish National Stud Course. On completion of the course, he gained valuable experience with Mount Coote Stud, BuyANom.com, and Castlehyde Stud before beginning his role with Tattersalls Ireland.
Membership with ITBA Next Generation provides access to exclusive events and opportunities, while generating new social and professional connections within a network of young, like-minded racing enthusiasts.
- Seminars
- Panel Discussions
- Industry Tours
- Apprenticeship Scheme
Click here to sign up today
ITBA Next Generation '30 Under 30' with the Irish Field
Michéal Conaghan: Read the article here
Caitriona Conroy: Read the article here
UPCOMING EVENTS
Student Raceday
Join the ITBA Next Generation at an upcoming Student Raceday at Leopardstown Racecourse on Wednesday 5th April. The event is a sell out every year and will be hotly anticipated. Gates open 12pm
ITBA Next Generation is proud to be sponsoring the ITBA Next Gen Handicap on the day.
Expect the great racing, serious buzz, DJ’s, best dressed style and fun games! For stylish ladies and gents, make sure to enter the SHEIN Best Dressed Competition!
ITBA Next Generation also have an exciting social media giveaway on the day including
- 4 tickets to the student race day (sold out)
- Dinner, Bed & Breakfast voucher for The Club At Goffs Hotel
- Tattersalls Ireland Merchandise bundle
Date: Wednesday 5th April, 2023
Location: Leopardstown Racecourse
Time: Gates open 12pm
Strictly Over 18's. ID will be required and bag searching will be in place
NH Panel Discussion
Hear from industry experts on a National Hunt Panel Discussion.
Event Details
Date: May, 2023
Location: TBC
PAST EVENTS
Pinhooking Panel
The ITBA Next Generation kicked off their series of events with an exciting Pinhooking Panel. The panel featured a great evening of insights from Bernard Condren (MC), Vikki Hancock, John Hanly, Timmy Hillman, Guy O'Callaghan.
Coolmore & Castlehyde Stud visit
On Friday January 6th, Coolmore and Castlehyde opened their doors to 30 ITBA Next Generation members.
Orla Donworth, Chairman of the ITBA Next Generation thanked the Coolmore and Castlehyde teams, commenting “We are extremely grateful to Coolmore & Castlehyde for providing our members with unparalleled access to their elite stallions and senior management today.” Conor Wixted, Vice Chairman shared Donworth’s sentiment, adding “the generosity and backing of Coolmore & Castlehyde left its mark on us today, throughout 2023 we want to keep building the momentum of the Next Generation”.
Click here to read the full story.
Breeding Season Preparation Workshop
- Assisting mares during foaling: Olive O’Connor, respected breeder and consignor
- Foaling Preparation & postnatal care: Andrea Ryan, Veterinary Surgeon, Kilcash Equine Clinic
- Nutritional plans for pregnant mares during & post foaling and nutritional plan for foals: Lorraine Fradl, Nutritionist with Connolly’s RED MILLS
- Mating Plans: Getting mares back in foal & selecting the most suitable stallions: Micheál Orlandi, Compas Equine
ITBA Next Generation Quiz Night
Over 110 were in attendance to test their knowledge on all things racing and bloodstock. The winning team collected the €500 prize that was kindly sponsored by a Leading Irish Stud Farm.
A charity raffle was held on the night with funds raised going to Treo Eile. A massive €765 was collected and ITBA Next Generation would like to thank all the generous supporters for their raffle prize contributions.
