Photo: Trish Dunell
Growing up in the Far North where her parents bred Clydesdales Rebecca Donovan had no idea about the thoroughbred industry or where it could take you.
Rebecca is the latest recipient of the NZTBA’s Sunline International Management Scholarship, after spending four years working in various roles in the industry and is understandably delighted about working overseas.
“I am extremely thankful for this career and life-changing opportunity,” she enthused, “I am so excited to see what this trip brings and the knowledge and development I can bring back home with me.
“I see the scholarship as a platform from where I can gain as many skills as possible and that will help me grow into a leadership position. After all it has such a wide range of alumnae that have stepped out and achieved in the industry.”
No doubt she was referring to the likes of Jamie Richards, Bruce Slade, Shannon Taylor, Libby Bleakley and Michael Wallace to name just a few who have benefited from the scholarship since it’s inception in 2002.
Four years ago, when Rebecca had almost completed her Bachelor of Education her family moved to Cambridge, and she applied for a foal watch position at Mapperley Stud.
“I had never been to the races, never been to a stud farm, or in a racing stable, I loved working with the foals at home, so I applied and went to Mapperley and loved it,” she recalled.
“They offered me a job on the yearling team and then a full-time job and I haven’t looked back. I have been quietly working my way up to take on a possible management position.
“My passion is in foaling and broodmares and I am looking forward to see how this side of the industry is dealt with in the Northern Hemisphere.”
Following her time at Mapperley, Rebecca spent time at Westbury Stud learning all aspects of stud work and is currently employed at Wentwood Grange. She was aware of the scholarship and with the encouragement of Brad Molander and the Hawkins family thought she would give it a go.
“When I first started in the industry,” she mused. “I was given a piece of advice that I have followed and that was to take every opportunity and go for it.
“If someone asks if you want to try a new avenue give it a go and experience as much as you can. The scholarship is a phenomenal opportunity as I am at the point where I am not sure where I fit in the industry.
“I couldn’t quite believe it when I was told I had won it.”
She leaves in mid-February on an all-expenses paid, bonded trip of 30 weeks to experience the operational infrastructure, systems and management of two of the Northern hemisphere's leading stud farms: Shadwell Stud (England) and Coolmore Stud (Ireland).
As well she will join the staff at Goff’s the premier bloodstock sales company in Ireland, and Weatherbys in Newmarket home to the General Stud Book and the United Kingdom’s racing services and is looking forward to getting an insight into pedigrees and sales.
Rebecca may have found a new passion in thoroughbreds, but she still engages in her passion for riding something she started when she was two, and is developing an endurance horse she hopes to compete with in the future. As well that desire to share knowledge that prompted her to start a Bachelor of Education degree is still there and she hopes to put that to use as well.
“I can see myself fostering the next generation of young people coming into the industry and showing them where their future lies,” she stated.
“Kind of help them grow the passion the way the people I have worked alongside have done for me. I have been really lucky I have had that experience and can’t wait to see where the scholarship takes me.”
