Written by Bren O'Brien
Like so many people that end up in the thoroughbred industry, Tess O'Connor always knew she wanted to work with horses, but having finished her Bachelor of Agriculture degree, she wasn't sure how she could get her foot in the door.
It was that old paradox that young people in every industry face, where they require experience in order to get the job, but also require the job to really get the experience.
It was a decision to join Thoroughbred Breeders Australia's Fast Track program which has given Tess the exact experience she needed to further her career development and having spent the past few months working as part of her traineeship at Godolphin's Woodlands Stud, she feels she has a much clearer path forward.
"I finished university, where I did a Bachelor of Agriculture at Melbourne University and majored in animal production science, so I kind of wanted to go down that veterinary line. Then once I completed the course, I definitely wanted to work in the horse industry, I just didn't really know in what aspect," she told TDN AusNZ.
"I applied for jobs, but found it was quite hard coming out of university, because they require more experience and it wasn't easy to know where to get that experience from. I just thought building my network was important.
"I applied for jobs, but found it was quite hard coming out of university, because they require more experience and it wasn't easy to know where to get that experience from." - Tess O'Connor
"When Fast Track popped up, I applied for it. It all fitted what I thought I needed in terms of getting my foot in the door of the industry, so I went for it, and got it."
At the end of the 12-month program, which includes classroom time as well as practical training, Tess will have a nationally recognised Certificate III in Horse Breeding, and importantly has already made some very good contacts.
With applications for the 2021 Fast Track Program now open and set to close at the end of the month, she felt it was a good time to discuss her path from a girl who loved riding horses into a someone on the path to being a true thoroughbred professional.
"I rode horses for about six or seven years when I was growing up. Then I did a Cert II in Equine Studies during VCE," she said.
"My grandparents were the ones that influenced me most. They are into racing and have recently got into breeding. That put me on the racing pathway. I've always known I wanted to work with horses, it was just in what aspect. This then popped up and I've absolutely loved it.
"We started in July and did a block at TAFE for a month and then I was placed with a stud from the start of August. I've loved it. I'm very lucky I got to go to Godolphin, they have been amazing. I have really, thoroughly enjoyed it. I am constantly learning which is awesome."
The 2020 Fast Track intake | Image courtesy of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia
What has impressed Tess most in her time working at Woodlands is the professionalism of those she works with, both human and equine.
"Coming here, when you are working with these horses, the calibre of horses you are working with, you don’t really need to be an avid racegoer to know who they are. Just seeing the love and care that everyone has for them. We are here for them and working for them. It's amazing to see that," she said.
"Seeing the love and care that everyone has for them (the horses). We are here for them and working for them. It's amazing to see that." - Tess O'Connor
"Just to have that knowledge of what actually goes into making these racehorses (is great)."
Tess admits she still doesn't know exactly what aspect of the thoroughbred industry she wants to work in, but is happy for now to get experience across different aspects.
"I'm not really sure exactly where I want to focus on. I’d definitely like to focus for the next few years and continue to build my network. It’s a massive industry, but in many ways, it’s quite small. The people that Fast Track allow you to meet has been great," she said.
"It’s been such an invaluable experience for me, not only the people you meet, but the horses you work with. If you love horses and are prepared to work hard, it’s a great program to get your foot in the door and have a go getting into the industry."
Fast Track is open to anyone in Australia who is 18 years and over, and previous graduates have come from all over the country. Applicants are required to have basic horse handling skills but prior experience with thoroughbreds isn’t necessary.
Applications close on February 28, and those interested are asked to contact Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.
