Josh Herd updates on his travels through the UK thus far and what he is excited for next on his Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship.
After finishing up with Goffs, I made my way down to Newmarket — the capital of horse racing in the UK. It’s an incredible place, with over 3,000 horses in training and racing woven into every corner of the town. You can feel the history and tradition as soon as you arrive, with the gallops stretching for miles and horses exercising at every turn. For anyone involved in the racing world, Newmarket is a place you simply have to experience.
My first two weeks in Newmarket were spent working with bloodstock agent Johnny McKeever in the lead-up to the Tattersalls July Sale. The three-day sale features both Horses in Training and Broodmares, and I was able to see firsthand how Johnny worked through the catalogue — shortlisting horses on pedigree before inspecting them on type.
Johnny and I were inspecting horses for a few days before the sale started but on the first day of the sale, Johnny wasn’t able to be there. That meant I was trusted to bid on one of the shortlisted horses. Sales have always been a real passion of mine, so it was a huge thrill to be given that responsibility. Even better, we secured the horse — meaning I can now officially say I’ve had the winning bid in auction rings in both hemispheres.
“July Week” in Newmarket was a real highlight. With the sale running Tuesday to Thursday and racing at Newmarket on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the whole town seemed to come alive. The racing was top-class, the atmosphere buzzing, and it was great to see how engaged the crowds were across the three days. It felt like a true celebration of the sport.
Following the sale, I began a four-week placement with trainer George Boughey, who previously trained top mare Via Sistina during her UK campaign. Having only ever worked for my mum back home, I found it fascinating to experience a different training system and see how another operation runs. George’s stable has grown rapidly over the past few years, and it was eye-opening to see how he manages such a large team of horses and staff while still keeping such close attention to detail.
One of the highlights was watching gallops with George. Seeing how he assessed his horses’ fitness and progress, and the way he used different training surfaces around Newmarket, gave me new ideas and perspectives that I’ll take with me moving forward. It was a reminder that there is no single “right” way to train a horse — every trainer has their own philosophy, and being exposed to those differences is one of the most valuable parts of this scholarship.
After my time in Newmarket, I travelled to Deauville in France for the Arqana August Yearling Sale — the first yearling sale of the European season. It’s a niche market with a unique atmosphere, set in a beautiful seaside town that comes alive during the sale. The setting itself was almost surreal, with luxury shops and restaurants lining the streets, all buzzing with people from the racing and breeding world.
I was fortunate to work alongside Damon Gabbedy, the Australian representative for Arqana. Going around the sales complex with Damon was an education in itself. Listening to his insights on what he looks for in yearlings, and how he balances pedigree with physical type, was invaluable. It was also interesting to compare how European yearlings are presented compared to those in New Zealand and Australia — each market has its own nuances and preferences.
During the sale I also returned to bid spotting, which I really enjoyed — although it did take some adjustment with the horses being auctioned in French! A highlight was taking bids from Tony Parker, the former NBA star, who is now a major figure in French racing. It was a good reminder of how international this industry is, and how many different people it draws in from all walks of life.
At the time of writing, I’m back in Doncaster for the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale. Having inspected many of these yearlings during the earlier selection process, I’m really looking forward to seeing how they’ve developed and how they present in the ring. There’s a real satisfaction in following the journey from inspections to sale day, and I’m excited to see how everything comes together.
Reflecting on the past few months, this stage of my scholarship has been all about sales, systems and new perspectives. From handling bids at Tattersalls and Arqana, to learning the finer points of yearling selection, and then contrasting training approaches with George Boughey, I’ve gained a much broader appreciation of the global racing and breeding landscape.
Every step has added another layer of understanding. Whether it’s the adrenaline of securing a bid in the sales ring, the discipline of working in a top training yard, or the chance to learn from respected agents and trainers, each experience has deepened my passion for the industry. Most of all, it has reinforced how important it is to keep learning, keep asking questions, and keep observing how others operate.
The next leg of my journey is a trip to Hong Kong, which I am particularly interested in as I think it is one of the most fascinating racing jurisdictions in the world. I can’t wait to see how it operates at the highest level and to continue building on everything I’ve learned so far.
