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Niamh Waters has been announced as the 2026 recipient of the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship and will depart on Saturday to begin her 30-week international experience, one of New Zealand thoroughbred breeding and racing’s most prestigious development opportunities.
Funded by the Sunline Education Trust and administered by the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, the scholarship provides an all-expenses-paid, bonded international experience designed to expose emerging industry leaders to the operational systems and management practices of the world’s leading thoroughbred organisations.
Waters brings a strong practical background gained across New Zealand, England and Australia, having worked through breeding seasons, yearling preparations and major international sales environments. Her career began at Haunui Farm in Karaka while completing a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, before roles at New England Stud and Newsells Park Stud in Newmarket, and more recently Newgate Farm in Scone, where she has taken on increasing responsibility within the yearling team.
She said her motivation to apply stemmed from a desire to broaden her knowledge beyond New Zealand and challenge herself across different sectors of the global industry.
“I’ve always wanted to expand my understanding of the industry internationally and work in new environments,” Waters said. “The opportunity to learn alongside some of the best in the industry was something I couldn’t pass up.”
Being selected carries significant personal meaning for Waters.
“As a proud Kiwi, it’s incredibly special to represent our industry on an international stage,” she said. “It feels like a real vote of confidence, and I’m determined to make the most of the opportunity.”
The scholarship itinerary includes experience across several premier racing and breeding jurisdictions, highlighted by time at Coolmore Stud in Ireland — an opportunity she is particularly excited about — along with exposure to Hong Kong’s internationally recognised high-performance racing environment.
“I’m especially looking forward to my time at Coolmore Stud,” she said. “To be immersed in an environment with that level of influence and excellence is incredibly exciting. I’m also really looking forward to Hong Kong — the racing environment there is so competitive and unique, and I’m excited to experience the high-performance culture that makes it one of the strongest jurisdictions in the world.”
Waters has developed a strong interest in breeding and bloodstock, particularly mating decisions, pedigree analysis and long-term planning, while also looking forward to gaining a broader understanding of the racing and performance side of the industry.
“I’m particularly excited to continue developing my knowledge of the breeding and bloodstock side of the industry, especially around mating decisions, pedigree analysis and the long-term planning that goes into producing elite racehorses,” she said. “Equally, gaining experience on the racing and performance side will give me a much more well-rounded understanding of the full lifecycle of a racehorse.”
Waters said she has been fortunate to learn from a number of mentors throughout her career, singling out her recent time at Newgate Farm as particularly influential.
“It’s hard to pick just one, as I’ve been fortunate to work with many inspirational people who have given me incredible opportunities so far,” she said. “What really stood out to me at Newgate was the management team and their genuine commitment to giving young people real opportunities to learn and grow. It’s the best example of supportive leadership and culture I’ve experienced in my career so far.”
Looking ahead, Waters hopes the experience will help shape the next stage of her career.
“I hope this scholarship will give me the experience and knowledge I need to eventually step into a management role within the industry,” she said. “It’s also a chance to build vital connections with leading professionals around the world, which could open up even greater opportunities once the scholarship is completed.”
NZTBA Chief Executive and Sunline Trust Trustee Nick Johnson said the Sunline Scholarship has played an important role in developing future leaders within the industry.
“The Sunline Scholarship has now given more than 20 young New Zealanders the opportunity to experience the global thoroughbred breeding and racing industry, bringing the skills and knowledge they gain back home,” Johnson said.
“It has helped launch the careers of some of the very best New Zealanders working around the world, and we again saw a fantastic group of applicants this year, which bodes well for the future of our industry. Niamh is a thoroughly deserving recipient.”
Johnson also acknowledged the support of NZB Insurance, Cambridge Stud, Rich Hill Stud and the Proisir Syndicate, Windsor Park Stud and Coolmore, and Yulong Investments for donating stallion services, along with Phillip Brown, Ben Kwok, Judith Mulholland, and Sam and Dame Catriona Williams for their generous support in purchasing those services at an auction held during the National Breeding Awards in July, with the evening dedicated to fundraising for the scholarship.
“That generosity ensures the scholarship remains strong and sustainable for many years to come,” he said.
