'The chance to learn from a leading stallion operation is incredibly exciting'

Our latest Flying Start blog comes from Lachlan Pethica, from Victoria, Australia. He graduated with a Commerce Degree (Finance) from the University of Melbourne in 2020 and is also a graduate of the Irish National Stud Course, winning the Silver Medal.

He has gained experience at Yarraman Park Stud through Thoroughbred Breeders Australia's Fast Track Programme, Three Bridges Thoroughbreds and Anthony Freedman Racing. He has a strong interest in rearing young horses and hopes to establish a long-term career in the bloodstock sector.

Following an exciting four months in Lexington, the first-year Godolphin Flying Start trainees have dispersed across the United States as they each begin individual externships.

From New York to California, the 12 trainees are spread across trainers, stud farms and syndicators. Learning from some of the best in the USA industry and experiencing some of the most exciting racing locales the country has to offer, these placements also afford an outstanding opportunity to actively contribute to a business.

I have begun a five-week stint with WinStar Farm, where I am splitting my time between the training barn and the bloodstock department. The chance to learn from a leading stallion operation is incredibly exciting and is indicative of the opportunities availed to trainees across the country, for which we're extremely grateful.

Prior to much of the group leaving Lexington, we had the privilege of being able to attend both the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, alongside morning workouts on the backside at Churchill Downs. Being able to experience the build-up of the gargantuan event that is the Derby was an entirely different experience to other major racing events I've attended.

The commercialisation of American sport offers an outstanding platform for the Derby to thrive; something from which the rest of the racing world can definitely learn. The access that the public is afforded to the horses throughout Derby week is hard to comprehend, but brings so much added flavour to the event.

America has also successfully meshed tradition with technology in the way the Derby is promoted and covered, an important case study for other jurisdictions with a tendency to rest on their laurels. Churchill Downs employed TikTok and Instagram to great effect, providing added storylines both on and off track - an exciting blueprint for the future as racing seeks to diversify its following.

The raceday experience itself was equally intriguing, with a huge cross section of society in attendance on both Oaks and Derby days. A destination event for many, the excitement and buzz on track was infectious.

As each Derby runner made his way to the frontside along the track accompanied by a throng of connections and well-wishers, the crowd was engaged and gripped in anticipation. While unmistakably American, this boxing ring walk style introduction captured the attention of all and highlighted the horses as the undisputed stars of the show.

Rich Strike wins the Kentucky Derby - Lachlan Pethica and his fellow trainees enjoyed the buzz of Derby and Oaks day at Churchill DownsCredit: Rob Carr

Later in the month, we presented a conference to a group of industry professionals seeking to combat some of the biggest threats to racing and its social licence in America, namely: equine welfare, raceday medication and the powerful anti-gambling lobby. We were able to use the conference to deepen our knowledge of the local racing and political landscape and to consider opportunities available to the industry.

During a week-long course at the Kentucky Horseshoeing School, we were taught anatomy and biomechanics of the foot and lower limb and discussed all manner of shoeing considerations. We gained a much greater appreciation for the farriery trade, while learning about the pitfalls of hoof care under-regulation in the USA. We were able to view some intriguing high-speed video of the manner in which the foot reacts as the horse strikes the ground.

This, combined with our new anatomical learnings, stood us in great stead to better understand how best to trim and maintain a foot.

As we enter our fifth month in the United States, all 12 trainees' enthusiasm for the local industry is growing by the day and the opportunity to gain experience in professional settings is amplifying that further.

We all remain eager to learn and experience all that America has to offer and are excited for our final six weeks of this phase!

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