The NZTBA is pleased to announce that the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship for 2019 has been awarded to Sam Bergerson.
Bergerson, from Palmerston North will spend approximately six months overseas, learning the ropes at Taylor Made in Kentucky, Coolmore Stud in Ireland, and Shadwell Stud in England, before returning to New Zealand to work in the industry.
He was awarded the scholarship ahead of a list of very capable applicants, according to NZTBA Business and Operations Development Manager Justine Sclater.
“It was a really hard decision this year, we were very impressed with the high calibre of the applicants,” Sclater said.
“It is pleasing to see so many good young people interested in our industry and we plan to work with those applicants that missed out, to assist them further in their careers, and will encourage them to apply again next year.”
Bergerson grew up around horses, being the son of Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson, and grandson of the former Hawera trainer Herb Bergerson. Although his mother Kathy was not involved in horses as a youngster, her mother is the daughter of another trainer Wallace Young.
Over the years he worked in his father’s stables after school and in the holidays, until he was awarded an accountancy cadetship straight out of Palmerston North Boys High. While working for a local accountancy firm he completed a Bachelor of Accounting at Massey University, but soon realised that he wanted more than to be an Accountant.
After a stint touring Europe he took up a rugby contract playing for the Kinsale Club in Ireland for six months, before applying for a summer job with Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle Stables in Kildare. It was during this time that he realised that the thoroughbred industry was where he wanted to work, and he returned home to work for his father late last year.
“I decided that horses were definitely my passion, and the scholarship will help me decided which field of the industry I want to follow,” Bergerson said.
“I am really looking forward to working on the breeding side as I have not had that much experience in that field. It’s pretty exciting, and now that it has all been confirmed it’s a bit daunting, but there is plenty to keep me busy before leaving after the yearling sales in early February.” - Michelle Saba
