Since 2006 this scholarship has been generously funded by the K.I.A. Taylor Charitable Trust and Trelawney Stud’s Taylor family, and was renamed the Keith and Faith Taylor Family Equine Scholarship.
The recipients are awarded an all-expenses paid trip to Ireland to attend the internationally recognised Irish National Stud Diploma Course, which begins each year in the middle of January.
The 2026 Irish National Stud Scholarship was awarded to two young talents, Joe Moore and Zania Slabber.
Moore has already developed a strong grounding in the thoroughbred industry, having worked at Mapperley Stud, Terri Rae Racing and Boyd Harness Racing Stables, while also completing a Diploma of Agriculture at Lincoln University. His experience spans foaling, yearling preparation, stallion handling, racing stable work and wider agricultural skills, and he has a long-term ambition to one day run a breeding operation.
“I am honoured to have received the Irish National Stud Scholarship,” Moore said. “It has shown me the passion that I have got for the industry can lead me to incredible places. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to learning and further growing my knowledge whilst going on an experience of a lifetime.”
Slabber has built her own path into the equine industry, gaining experience across both stud and racing environments. Her background includes yearling preparation at Westbury Stud, stable work with Matthew Eales Racing and Fannin Racing, and study toward a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University, with a focus on equine and livestock industries.
“I’m so excited and grateful to have been awarded the 2026 Irish National Stud Scholarship,” Slabber said. “It truly feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I can’t wait to head overseas, gain new skills and perspectives, learn as much as I can and bring these experiences back to New Zealand. I’m very thankful to the Taylor Family for making this possible.”
The NZTBA is grateful to Brent and Cherry Taylor of Trelawney Stud and the Keith and Faith Taylor Family Trust for their generosity and ongoing support of the Irish National Stud Scholarship.
