Cover image courtesy of Inglis
Applications for a full time paid internship covering a twelve month period beginning in spring with historical auction house Inglis are open now. If you are a resident of Australia or New Zealand, over the age of 20 and have a driver’s licence, this is an amazing opportunity to get your foot in the door at Inglis’ bloodstock department.
“The Inglis Internship Program is a way that a young person can realise their dreams and join the industry we all love so much,” CEO Sebastian Hutch said.
“This program has proven a successful formula over many years, with alumni the likes of James Price, Peter Twomey, James Mitchell and popular incumbent bloodstock team member Will Gardner and we can’t wait to see who the latest successful applicant will be.”
James Price, Inglis Victorian Bloodstock Manager
From doing the first Inglis internship in 2006, James Price has risen through the ranks at Inglis and is now the Victorian Bloodstock Manager. “I was first cab off the rank. And in that 12 months, more doors opened for me than they would’ve in ten years without the internship. You are put in front of everyone, breeders, trainers, agents, syndicators, and to be able to say I’m James Price from Inglis is a huge leg up, as opposed to saying I’m James Price,” Price said.
James Price | Image courtesy of Inglis
The internship doesn’t give you a specific qualification, nor does it have set skills criteria for applicants. “It’s not a structured internship. We aren’t going to give you units to assess you. It’s an opportunity to get an insight into what we do as an auction house. Starting in the spring, the beginning is the inspection of horses on farms. Our biggest earner as an auction house is our yearling sales, and this internship is the exposure into how we put our catalogues together.”
“It’s not a structured internship. We aren’t going to give you units to assess you. It’s an opportunity to get an insight into what we do as an auction house.” - James Price
The intern will assist the bloodstock team in working out which horses to place in which catalogues, working with the farms to determine where each individual best fits. The successful intern will gain an understanding of pedigree and conformation evaluation and how that forms part of the selection process for the sales, working alongside Inglis’ senior staff. From there, it’s into the sales season, working with buyers to get results for vendors.
“The Inglis digital sales are new since I began, and they provide plenty of work every fortnight with gathering entries, and everything associated with those. It’s a fascinating 12 months for the successful individual.”
Designed to find new employees
“We are very open minded as to who a successful candidate might be or where they might come from, whether you’re already working in the industry in some capacity or studying something equine related or are simply someone who has been passionately interested from afar and wants to take the leap and get paid to work in your dream role at Inglis,” said Hutch.
With the prospect of a full time job at Inglis at the end of the 12-month internship, the career opportunities for the successful applicant are broad. While most of the time will be spent in the bloodstock division, the applicant will also work with the company’s marketing, insurance, digital and Rural Property divisions in both the Sydney and Melbourne offices.
Sebastian Hutch | Image courtesy of Inglis
“Even when I started, when the program was introduced, it was designed to find an individual who, at the end of the year, would be a suitable member of the Inglis team, whether in bloodstock or another department. Luckily I was fortunate to be given a position at the end of it,” said Price.
“The aim is to discover a new member of the Inglis team, and if it doesn’t work out, hopefully that person has had enough exposure to continue in the game. There are so many names in racing and breeding who have spent time at Inglis.”
What makes a good candidate?
With the application process a little vague in terms of qualifications, it’s important that anyone thinking about applying doesn’t take that as a negative, but instead looks at the positive things they can bring to the table.
“There’s no set criteria. There’s no exam you can sit or university degree to get first, or a set amount of experience with horses. For a young person, we understand that you haven’t done a specific set of skills to put you at the top of the pecking order,” said Price.
If that’s the case, what are Inglis looking for? “This is a customer focused industry, so we want someone with good communication skills, who can deal with a range of people. One of the greatest things about this game is that if you are liked as an individual, then people will listen to your opinion.
Inglis internship program | Image courtesy of Inglis
“Racehorses are not science with a right and wrong answer, it can be so subjective. We want someone who is likeable, because if you aren’t likeable, then people won’t listen to you. We want someone who can be liked by a broad range of people, who is a good communicator. Someone who is sharp and can think on their feet and is passionate about racing, and can work hard.
“Inglis is a very dynamic company, far more so than when I started, because competition for the premium stock is fierce, and we have to be. We also have a very dynamic digital sales platform with nearly $100 million in sales per year. It’s the premium platform (in the digital space), but we aren’t resting on our laurels there. We know we’ve got to remain ahead of the game.”
“Inglis is a very dynamic company, far more so than when I started, because competition for the premium stock is fierce, and we have to be.” - James Price
If you are young and enthusiastic and love racehorses and racing, and have the gift of the gab, it’s worth putting your hand up for this opportunity.
“A dynamic hard working individual who can talk to all types of people is the key characteristic. There’s no cookie cutter person that we are looking for. We know the staff mix we currently have at Inglis, so if someone can bring balance and a new flavour to the team, we are open to that. We are aware that our client base needs different individuals and our clients support us because they like our staff.
“Life is about change and evolution. There should be no barriers to a young person who has passion for the industry applying for this internship. Don’t say you don’t have the skills you just never know.” Like Inglis have reiterated, it’s not necessarily about the skills you already have, but the vibe you bring.
“Life is about change and evolution. There should be no barriers to a young person who has passion for the industry applying for this internship.” - James Price
How to apply
“I think the opportunity to work as part of an auction house environment is an incredible opportunity for any aspiring bloodstock professional. I cannot think of an organisation that can afford a person the depth and breadth of industry exposure that Inglis can and we are excited as to who the next Inglis Internship may unearth,” said Hutch.
“This is a truly wonderful opportunity so I encourage everybody who thinks they might fit the bill to apply.”
To apply for the Inglis Internship, send a current CV (with appropriate references) and a cover letter explaining why you feel you are a worthy candidate for this role to internship@inglis.com.au.
Applications close 5pm on Monday June 30.
