IRELAND-THE TURF CLUB.
Enniskillen students
visit racing headquarters
Enniskillen Campus students recently made a trip to Kildare to visit the Turf Club headquarters and then to Michael Halford’s state of the art training stables near Kildangan.
At the Turf Club, they met two great friends of Enniskillen, Seamus Gibson and Marianne Waters, who had kindly co-ordinated the visit. They then moved on to the ancient Curragh training grounds, to meet manager Pat Kelly.
Pat is rightly proud of his grounds, firstly showing a variety of beautifully maintained training surfaces and jumps.
Then he showed the famous grass gallops which are used right from the spring of each year until the following winter and are looked after in harmony with the environment. Back inside in the warmth - it was bitterly cold when out with Pat - Sandy Shaw, one of the handicappers, gave a full review of his work and the duties of the stewards.
The students gained a good understanding of how important integrity is in Irish racing.
After lunch, students moved on to Michael Halford’s yard. Michael was more than generous with his time, answering many questions, while showing his superb new training facility.
The students had the opportunity to see a horse being exercised in the swimming pool and a horse being treated for leg problems in the spa.
Michael explained the importance of horse health, nutrition and even the horse’s state of mind in the daily routine, emphasising their importance for success at the highest level.
The Enniskillen students are very grateful to all their hosts in Kildare for such an enjoyable and informative visit.
Further information on the CAFRE Equine Education programmes can be obtained directly from the college by emailing enquiries@cafre.ac.uk
