BERRY’S Dane Robinson is firmly entrenched in the horse racing fraternity, being the third generation of his family to take the reins.
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His father, Terry Robinson, a life-long and highly regarded horseman together with his grandfather, Kevin Robinson were icons of the harness racing industry, before making the successful transition to thoroughbred horse racing.
Terry, is still training today out of his Shoalhaven Heads stable and well known for training horses on Seven Mile Beach.
Dane has just completed studying at the University of Kentucky, as part of the Darley Flying Start program which accepts 12 applicants from more than 100 hopefuls each year.
“I found out about the program in 2011 when working university holidays for local boutique breeders, Bell View Park Stud out at Meroo Meadow,” Robinson said.
“From then, I tried to focus on building my CV to have the best application possible when the time came to apply.
“The application process was quite intense, including hand written cover letters, video footage introducing yourself and tacking up and riding a horse, interviews, aptitude and industry knowledge tests and finally a 5-10 minute presentation on the day of the interview. “It was long, arduous process but certainly worth it.”
The Darley Flying Start program is the brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, designed to provide 12 potential future industry leaders a fully funded, two year, scholarship experience.
The leaders learn about racing in the five major racing centres around the world that the Sheikh Darley and Godolphin have operations in, including Ireland, England, United States, Australia and United Arab Emirates.
Robinson and his colleagues experience working hands on with horses throughout their life-cycle, from foaling, to weaning, breaking in, training and breeding.
Between the practical work, there are also university modules in equine anatomy and physiology, equine nutrition, financial accounting, as well as visits to local stud farms and businesses or presentations from industry leaders on topics relating to their respective fields.
“We have been fortunate to witness some of the biggest days of racing in Ireland, France, England and just recently attended the Kentucky Derby which was a bucket list item for me.
“But hands down, the trip to Paris for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will always be the highlight for me.
“We visited Criquette Head Maarek’s training barn the day before Europe’s weight-for-age championship in Chantilly, which is the most picturesque training facility on earth.
“We watched the eventual winner and defending champion, Treve, in her morning workout the day before the race.
“So to watch her win her second Arc the very next day at Longchamp was pretty special and fortunately they have asked us back again next year.”
Robinson, who is approaching the 12 month mark in his course, has already learnt more than he could imagine.
“The great thing about the course is that you are constantly being thrown knowledge and information from some of the best people in our industry.
“At times it can be information overload trying to sponge everything, but you wouldn’t have it any other way.
“The breeding industry was something that I enjoyed getting more hands on experience with as my background was mostly in the racing industry.
“But learning about broodmare reproductive cycles and parturition, delivering my first foal at Gainsborough Farm in Lexington, was a great experience.
“Farrier school was also a highlight, working on cadaver legs was an experience to say the least and safe to say my hands are still intact minus a couple of chunks missing.”
“The best thing about the course is the networking opportunities and I have been fortunate to meet some of the industry’s greats such as John Ferguson, Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock advisor and two-time Melbourne Cup winning and Irish champion trainer, Dermot Weld.”
Robinson is set to graduate on July 2, 2016 in Ireland, but before then, he is slated for stints in the U.S., Australia and Dubai before finishing up in Europe.
The 26-year-old then has his eye set on a big future in the horse industry.
“At this point in time, I’m looking into racing managing for a trainer or syndicate with the hope of forming my own syndication business one day,” he said.
“But each new experience on the course certainly makes you think twice about future aspirations.
“All I can confidently say now is that I’ll be somewhere in the racing industry.”
