HTBA Announce 2017 Equistart Graduates

Media Release - Friday August 25

In proud partnership with TAFE NSW, the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association (HTBA) is pleased to announce the graduates of the 2017 Equistart Work Ready Program.

Dr Cameron Collins HTBA President and Mr Jon Black, Managing Director TAFE NSW announced this year's Equistart graduates at Godolphin's Kelvinside stud at Aberdeen before an audience of more than 120 people, including some 70 students from 5 local Hunter Valley schools, representatives of the Thoroughbred Breeding Industry, Racing Australia, the Victorian Race Club, local and State politicians, tourism and community representatives, and proud parents, relatives and friends.

"The HTBA congratulates Mikeala Crowfoot, Madeline Dunbar, Tiannah Witney, Chelsea Kowe, Sophie White, Josie Sinnerton, Ashley Craddock, Cassandra Reid and Ester Green for completing the 2017 Equistart Work Ready Program. All graduates should be very proud of their achievement which has equipped them with important knowledge and skills and the prospect of a future career in the thoroughbred breeding industry." Dr Collins said.

"Our people are the backbone of our industry and critical to its success. We must always plan for the future, and our future is in our people, innovation and education. By developing industry led programs in collaboration with TAFE NSW we are able to offer young people the best start to rewarding career in the thoroughbred industry. We are very pleased that many of these graduates have already secured employment with local breeders either as trainees or entry-level employees." Dr Collins said.

We are very proud of the collaboration between the HTBA and TAFE NSW, which for some years now, has focused our joint efforts on equipping new starters with the knowledge, skills and training (both on and off the job) for a rewarding career in the Hunter thoroughbred breeding industry. We look forward to building on this collaboration well into the future.

At the conclusion of the graduation ceremony, graduates, their families and friends and all visitors were also treated to a Godolphin stallion parade and viewing or photographs with the iconic Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Today's events are part of the wider Hunter Valley Stallion Parade weekend of international excellence which attracts thousands of people to the Hunter every year, including domestic and international investors and clients.

HTBA Release
Advertisment
More Reading...
No Compromise Still Going Strong in NZ
Bill Thurlow couldn’t have hoped for a better week at the New Zealand Cup carnival and is optimistic a more senior member of the team can add a northern feature to the stable’s tally this Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Express Yourself Returns to NZ
Group One performer Express Yourself has returned home from her spring campaign in Melbourne and is now on a path towards the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 4.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Tavistock Mare Chasing G1
Last start Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Town Cryer has another Trentham feature in her sights, taking the next step towards the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at the Foxton trials on Tuesday.