The board of the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation announced July 13 the newest recipients of its annual Kentucky Experience Awards. Three young and exciting candidates were selected for placement commencing this month at Hunter Valley and Springhouse Farms. Senan MacRedmond and Catherine Donworth will join Hunter Valley Farm, and Sarah O'Connor begins a year-long sojourn at Springhouse Farm.
MacRedmond, brought up in Kildare surrounded by horses, has a strong background with stints as an apprentice jockey with leading German trainer Peter Schiergen and extensive racing experience in Ireland with Johnny Murtagh, Martin Brassil, Ken Condon, and Patrick Prendergast.
He has increased his exposure to bloodstock breeding as a recent graduate of the Irish National Stud's renowned Thoroughbred Breeding and Management course and as an assistant to Cathy Grassick at Irish sales.
MacRedmond said, "I am really looking forward to being placed at Hunter Valley. My ambition is to further my knowledge and experience in the breeding industry, and to continue to learn from the best."
Donworth graduated with a bachelor of business studies from the University of Limerick, and like MacRedmond is a graduate of this year's Irish National Stud training program. The LImerick native grew up on a family horse farm and has gained experience with some of that region's finest farms including Ballyphillip, Kilfrush, Mount Coote, and Roundhill Studs. She has also experienced a summer of yearling sales preparation at Ecurie Des Monceaux, a perennial leading breeder of French bloodstock.
Donworth said, "I am thrilled to be placed at Hunter Valley Farm and I am looking forward to beginning this next chapter and further developing my experience and knowledge in the thoroughbred industry."
O'Connor is another with a strong familial link to horses. Originally from County Tipperary, she has extensive experience in her home county with Kilsheelan and Lyonstown Studs and the family-owned Nodstown Stables. She has augmented her domestic experience with a season in Coolmore Australia where she also attended the Magic Million Yearling Sale. In addition O'Connor has a bachelor of arts in criminal justice studies from South East Technological University in Ireland.
"I'm particularly excited to sample the American sales circuit and am really looking forward to experiencing life in Kentucky and Springhouse Farm," O'Connor said.
The board of the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation said all three candidate select deserved this opportunity to improve their horse skills as they experience Kentucky and learn at two highly reputable stud farms with a strong Irish connection.
The charity's Erin Dilger said the caliber of all the applicants was strong.
"Thank you to our hard-working board members and our generous donors; without them we could not do what we do," she said.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
