Adrian Bott – Racing NSW - Darley Flying Start

INDUSTRY
Darley offers
A new beginning
THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL DARLEY ‘FLYING START’ WAS FOUNDED BACK IN 2003
BY SHEIKH MOHAMMED WITH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE PROGRAM ATTRACTING
GLOBAL INTEREST WORDS: MARK BRASSEL
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OPPOSITE: Trainees take part in a field trip during the Darley Flying Start program OPPOSITE BELOW: Adrian Bott (right)
with Aussie classmates at the Darley Flying Start program, Nick Hay (left) & Michael Morrison ABOVE: Adrian Bott receives
his Darley Flying Start Diploma at his graduation
They come from far and wide to apply for Darley’s
‘Flying Start’ – an International student program –
which is a full-time, two year training program for
potential thoroughbred industry leaders.
The program focuses on personal development within
the Thoroughbred industry and during the two years
trainees live, learn and work in Ireland, USA, Dubai, UK
and Australia.
Darley accepts just 12 candidates each year and the next
closing date is 15 February 2013 for the 2013-15 program.
I questioned Adrian Bott, a former Racing NSW Trainee
Steward, on his time during the Darley Flying Start where he
graduated with ‘flying colours’.
A bit of background please Adrian, where were you
born I was born in Scone (Hunter Valley). It’s quite a
funny story actually as I made my first appearance in
the world from the bathroom floor of the homestead
of Segenhoe Stud (now Vinery Stud). Evidently it all
happened a bit too quick.
And family I have three siblings; Aaron who is New South
Wales nominations manager for Darley, Alissa who works
as a Solicitor for Alina Energy, and Aneeka who has just
completed an Honours degree in Psychology. We all grew
up together on the Stud.
Your Dad (Tony) has been into racing for a long time as
an owner/breeder, what are some of the best horses has
he raced Skating was one of the best mares that Dad raced
under Segenhoe; she won the Doncaster.
And Bradbury’s Luck was one of her progeny who was
raced by Dad and a group of owners including Michael
Sissian. He was a top class 2yo who won the Magic Millions
and has gone on to be a successful sire at stud.
More recently, Royal Discretion was a tough horse
trained by Gai Waterhouse and Emotional Circus is a
mare with plenty of talent who can hopefully have a bit
of luck in the autumn.
Were you always going to be in racing too I have always
loved racing and always had a passion for it, however, I
never thought that I would make my career in racing. I went
to boarding school in Sydney so it was always difficult to be
heavily involved in racing.
I completed a Bachelor of Design Computing at Sydney
University and it was during this time that I really knew the
career path that I wanted to take.
The skills that I learnt from my degree have been of great
benefit to me which I have been able to apply in my new
role working for Gai Waterhouse.
We are constantly looking for new ways to market and
promote the stable in order to get new owners involved in
racing whilst striving to provide a better service for all our
current owners.
Were you ever a rider (Thoroughbreds or equestrian)
I used to ride at a young age growing up on the stud, but
it has now been a number of years since I have ridden,
although as part of the Darley Flying Start Program we
were required to ride at the British Racing School which is a
training and education program for people employed in the
racing industry.
It was such fun getting back on a horse again but it was
also great to see the incredible job that the school does in
educating young people for a career in racing.
You worked at Racing NSW as Steward – for how long I
worked for Racing NSW before getting the opportunity to
complete the Darley Flying Start Program.
I worked for a year as a Trainee Stipendiary Steward
and it was an excellent experience in which time I learnt
so much about the racing industry from a different
perspective. It was a wonderful opportunity and
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INDUSTRY
something that I really enjoyed.
How did you find about Darley’s Flying Start While
working as a Steward I had met a number of past graduates
of the course that were currently working in the industry.
I had the opportunity to meet with Henry Field of
Newgate Farm, Andy Williams who has just started out with
Arrowfield Stud, and also Brian McGrath who works for
Robert Smerdon in Melbourne.
They all spoke so highly of the course and of the
wonderful opportunities that it presented whilst gaining
the best education and training in the Thoroughbred
industry.
Tell us about the program and where did your travels
take you Darley Flying Start is a two-year management
training program.
The course combines a range of lectures, visits and
hands-on experience across five locations including Ireland,
England, America, Australia and Dubai.
At each location we were required to learn and practice
horse care and management in some of the most
successful Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations.
This included daily work with horses along with access to
the administration and management aspects involved.
As part of the course we were exposed to current
research, innovation and technologies in all aspects of
the industry including bloodstock, racing, breeding,
administration, betting, politics and consultancy.
In each country we had the opportunity to complete
a six-week work placement outside of Darley in order to
develop our learning and understanding of the industry.
I was fortunate enough to complete work placements
with WinStar Farm in America, Jeremy Noseda in
Newmarket, the Dubai World Cup Carnival Quarantine
Centre and The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
How did Darley Flying Start advance your career
The Darley Flying Start program has greatly influenced
my career. The course has given me a global view and
understanding of the Thoroughbred industry in all aspects.
In my current role with Gai and in the future, I want to
draw on these experiences to see what I can learn from
other industries and how I can incorporate this to improve
our own.
I am fortunate to have completed the program and to
have spent time working for Racing NSW which have both
been instrumental in affording me the opportunity that I
have today as Assistant Racing Manager for Gai Waterhouse.
In my role with Gai, I attend races, trackwork, yearling sales
and stable events. In the short period of time that I have
been here, Gai has taught me so much about the racing
industry.
I am in such a fortunate position to be surrounded by a
professional team that is highly driven and motivated to not
only be successful, but to provide a better racing experience
for all our owners.
book giveaway
Competition winners
COMPILED: MARK BRASSEL
Racing NSW Magazine highlighted the first two
books from a series written by Peter Jenkins in the
October 2012 issue with three sets of his first and
second books up for grabs.
The two books ‘Out of Cargill Girl’ and ‘The Broodmare’
were offered as a giveaway and thanks to all those
readers who entered the competition.
Congratulations to winners
of the two books:-
Margaret Smith, Bungendore NSW
Diane Everingham, Baralaba Qld
John O’Connor, Padstow NSW
The correct answer to ‘Who won this year’s Gosford
Gold Cup in January’ was Straight Albert (ridden by
Kathy O’Hara and trained by Guy Walter).
The third book in the Peter Jenkins series ‘Future
Lodge’ is out now as an ebook with Kindle. For further
info go to – www.thebroodmare.com
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