Godolphin Flying Start was founded in 2003 and is the brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai. The two-year full-time international management and leadership training program is centred around the thoroughbred industry.
Successful applicants are exposed to the thoroughbred industry globally with the program including phases in Ireland, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia and Dubai.
The Godolphin Flying Start program has supplied countless graduates who have made their mark on the thoroughbred industry globally, such as Newgate Farm founder and Managing Director Henry Field, Adrian Bott, the co-trainer to Australian racing royalty Gai Waterhouse, this publications' co-owners Gary King and Vicky Leonard, and bloodstock agents such as Craig Rounsefell, Andrew Williams, Steve O'Connor, James Clarke and Emma Pugsley, amongst others in a diverse range of positions.
On Wednesday, the latest intake for the prestigious course was unveiled and proudly two representatives from Australasia, Mitchell Whelan and Harrison Everett, will join successful applicants from Ireland, USA and the UK.
Whelan, from New Zealand, and Everett, from Australia, are both passionate and hard-working young men hailing from vastly different backgrounds and with ambitions in two varying fields.
Harrison Everett
Everett is the son of Michael Everett and Sue Woodcock, who run the family-owned Meredith Park in the idyllic Southern Highlands of New South Wales. The family-owned business was acquired in 2004 and is responsible for co-breeding the Group 1 winner Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Steps In Time (brown and yellow stripes), winner of the G1 Coolmore Classic | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Everett, therefore, has been exposed to the thoroughbred industry since his earliest days and has developed a strong interest in architecture, particularly equine.
Currently working at the renowned Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky, home of the outstanding Gun Runner (USA), TDN AusNZ caught up with Everett to discuss his background and successful Godolphin Flying Start application.
Everett has held roles at industry-leading organisations such as Arrowfield Stud, led by John Messara.
“That was a fantastic experience getting to be in the covering shed alongside the stallions the calibre of Snitzel and Maurice,” Everett said.
“That (working at Arrowfield Stud) was a fantastic experience getting to be in the covering shed alongside the stallions the calibre of Snitzel and Maurice.” - Harrison Everett
“While at Arrowfield, I also worked with the yearling team to prepare and sell yearlings at the 2022 sales, including at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, all gave me a chance to work with a large variety of quality horses.”
Everett’s first role in the thoroughbred industry, outside of his family property, was at the Woodpark Stud Training Facility for trainer Jean Dubois.
“Whilst at Jean’s I attained my stablehand license and attended racedays, trials and jump-outs. I also improved my general horse handling and husbandry on the farm,” Everett told TDN AusNZ.
Commencing university at the University of New South Wales in 2019, Everett graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Design.
As part of his degree requirements, Everett was required to complete an internship, which he did with a firm called Taylor Construction in Sydney.
“I targeted Taylor Construction due to their range of builds and at the time they were the lead contractor of the Winx Stand at Royal Randwick - I was lucky enough to be given the responsibility of overseeing sub-contractors to complete defects throughout the Grand Stand. The knowledge I gained from my involvement helped shape my thoughts on the thoroughbred industry.”
The Winx Stand at Royal Randwick | Image courtesy of the Australian Turf Club
“Whilst at Taylor's I kept in contact with an equine architect named John Ladd-Hudson, who I previously approached to discuss parts of the thoroughbred industry which can be improved through infrastructure upgrades. Having dialogue with a dedicated equine architect, whilst I was interning in construction, was a great convergence of the two perspectives.”
Equine architecture is an area that Everett feels strongly about and one he feels can be slightly overlooked in the scheme of things. By being accepted into the Godolphin Flying Start program, Everett is looking forward to viewing facilities overseas and learning how, or what, can be implemented in Australia to make facilities horse and people friendly while maintaining functionality.
“It is something that is often overlooked. Facilities are critical, not only for the safety and welfare of the horse and groom but the efficiency, of say, how a barn works. You want to prioritise making a safe environment, but also an efficient one.
“Facilities are critical, not only for the safety and welfare of the horse and groom but the efficiency, of say, how a barn works. You want to prioritise making a safe environment, but also an efficient one.” - Harrison Everett
“We are blessed to be involved with the thoroughbred industry; we wouldn't be here without the horse. Racehorses are professional athletes, so they should have the best facilities.
“Perception is another crucial area; we need more people in our industry who feel and present it as clean and safe. I think the best way to attract a broader audience to both support and work in the industry, is to showcase the care our horses get, and the groom’s safety while working in a high-risk environment - one of the ways we can do this is through infrastructure. We need a good public image; without it, our industry dies.
“Working at Arrowfield Stud, I saw the effectiveness of world-class equine facilities. The Arrowfield yearling barn is an incredible design with a wide range of practical and innovative ideas taken into account, designed by Paul Messara. It was some of the reasoning for my desire to work at Arrowfield in 2021; it was great working there and seeing the effects of an efficient and safe barn housing some future quality Group 1 winners,” Everett told TDN AusNZ.
“I think globally, people want what is important and best for the horse, and that goes outside of a facilities standpoint also. I am very much looking forward to starting the Godolphin Flying Start - the program will allow me to explore the opportunity for further travel, to connect with a wide range of individuals with differing perspectives and will ultimately allow me to evoke a change in the future of the thoroughbred industry and what it means to build a sustainable and safe equine future.”
“The (Godolphin Flying Start) program will ultimately allow me to evoke a change in the future of the thoroughbred industry and what it means to build a sustainable and safe equine future.” - Harrison Everett
Everett wanted to thank all his industry mentors so far, including the team at Arrowfield Stud, Henry Field from Newgate Farm, Steve Grant from Silverdale, and trainers Jean Dubois and Richard and William Freedman. And the team, importantly, at Three Chimneys Farm.
“The guidance from these individuals and their industry knowledge has led me to the Godolphin Flying Start program. I am very thankful to them all.”
Mitchell Whelan
Across the Tasman, the 23-year-old Kiwi is equally excited to start seeing the world and how the thoroughbred industry runs globally.
Whelan hails from the opposite background to Everett, as somebody who found the industry through working summer jobs during school and university.
As Whelan described, “You could almost call it an addiction.”
Mitchell Whelan | Image courtesy of Racing Images NZ
Former General Manager of Cambridge Stud Marcus Corban could see the potential in young Whelan when he started his summer job at the renowned industry farm, set up by Sir Patrick Hogan and now under the leadership of Brendan and Jo Lindsay.
“Marcus is a good family friend, and I needed a holiday-job while I was at school, he got me to work at Cambridge Stud. It started as just a job, however I kept returning and continued to do so, transitioning from school holidays to university breaks and before I knew it, it was a passion.
“I did four yearling preparations at Cambridge Stud; one was under Sir Patrick Hogan and the other three under the Lindsays.”
“It (working for Cambridge Stud) started as just a job, however I kept returning and continued to do so, transitioning from school holidays to university breaks and before I knew it, it was a passion.” - Mitchell Whelan
Whelan attended and graduated from the University of Otago, where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Development.
However, Whelan admits completing the university degrees was all part of a bigger plan that involved gaining a spot on the Godolphin Flying Start program.
“While I was at university, I worked the mornings predominantly at Terry and Debbie Kennedys Stables in Wingatui and worked at White Robe Lodge, where Ghibellines stands.
“I would return from my university breaks and head to Cambridge for a couple of years, and then I ended up spending one of my summer holidays working for trainer Stephen Marsh.”
Stephen Marsh | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Working for Marsh Racing ignited the fire within Whelan and inspired him to want to become a Group 1-winning trainer. Returning after another university break, Whelan told TDN AusNZ, “I went back and got my foot in the door there, finished uni in July 2022, and I have been at Stephen’s since then.”
We asked Whelan why he felt working with thoroughbreds went from being just a job to now his life, and being accepted onto one of the most prestigious courses available, he stated: “It was a combination of things; the stud side piqued my interest, however, when I started to get involved in the training side of things with Marsh, the whole process of training them, taking them to the races, seeing them perform and getting winners - it was pretty addicting and turned into a passion.”
“When I started to get involved in the training side of things with (Stephen) Marsh, the whole process of training them, taking them to the races, seeing them perform and getting winners - it was pretty addicting and turned into a passion.” - Mitchell Whelan
“The breeding side is awesome, preparing a yearling, taking it to the sales and making good money, however, once I got involved with the racing side and saw all the factors, it is personally so much more fulfilling and got me on the path of wanting to be a trainer.”
Marsh has been impressed by Whelan so much so that he was promoted to foreman at Stephen Marsh Racing, trusted to travel to Australia in April with the G1 New Zealand Derby runner-up Andalus (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), although unplaced in the G1 ATC Derby, Whelan was blown away by the facilities on offer at Royal Randwick.
Whelan cannot wait to pack his suitcase; with his inspiration of becoming a trainer, Whelan is eager to see the hallowed ground of the Newmarket Training Grounds, or ‘the home of horse racing’.
Andalus (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“I don’t have any particular place I want to train from or train for; I just want to be a Group 1-winning trainer,” Whelan laughs. “So, this will be eye-opener for me; I can’t wait to see Newmarket - it is second to none.
“America will be unique for me, and I can’t wrap my head around how they don’t have a home-base and travel from track to track; I am very eager to see that and the effects on horses.
“Also, to see how dirt racing would be from a training perspective, and to learn the key differences between dirt and turf horses and the strengths and weaknesses of each training-style.
“Seeing Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland is something on my bucket list. Dubai is another one - visiting Meydan, that will be unique.
“I am equally excited about the part of the course closer to home, especially in Australia, going to a Magic Millions sale; I have never done that before, so I am very keen. Overall, my goal is just to soak up as much information as possible and make new connections.”
“Overall, my goal is just to soak up as much information as possible and make new connections.” - Mitchell Whelan
A very humble man, Whelan was eager to thank Rhys Mildon, the assistant trainer at Marsh Racing, “Rhys taught me a lot including how to run a barn properly. Rhys was the assistant trainer between Steve and me, and he showed me the hands-on stuff - medications, recovery, all those day-to-day one percenters that make a difference on the racetrack.”
Whelan, like Everett, also wanted to thank and show his gratitude towards all his mentors throughout his short career thus far.
“I have so many people to thank who helped shape me to get to this goal. Terry and Debbie Kennedy kept me on the path and involved me significantly in their stable happenings.
Stephen Marsh and Mitchell Whelan
“Steve Marsh has helped me a lot and inspired me to train; he also taught me so much about inspecting yearlings; I attended numerous sales with him.”
Going through the checklist, Whelan mentioned TDN AusNZ’s Vicky Leonard, “Vicky won’t like me saying this, but she has been a massive help to me and has always been there when I needed her; I don’t know how to explain, but she just does ‘Vicky things’ - like how to write properly or present yourself, and things I wouldn’t think of.
“I also want to thank Mark and Lorraine Forbes as they helped me learn to ride, which was a requirement of the course, and without them I wouldn’t have been able to cross that off.
“Vicky (Leonard) won’t like me saying this, but she has been a massive help to me and has always been there when I needed her; I don’t know how to explain, but she just does ‘Vicky things’ - like how to write properly or present yourself, and things I wouldn’t think of.” - Mitchell Whelan
“Sir Patrick Hogan, Brendan and Jo Lindsay and the whole team at Cambridge Stud, and of course Marcus Corban who was instrumental in me finding out about the Godolphin Flying Start; Marcus also gave me my first opportunity and we are still very close, I know he is rapt for me, and I feel proud I have achieved this for him.
“I am very grateful and overwhelmed with the messages of support I have received. All the messages do mean a lot,” Whelan told TDN AusNZ.
With the successful applicants set to pack their bags and head to Darley’s Kildangan Stud, Ireland on August 14, on behalf of the TDN AusNZ team, we wish Whelan, Everett and all the students a successful, safe and prosperous journey of a lifetime.
