TDN Q&A: Joe Callan

[Wandering Eyes]

As part of a series where current Godolphin Flying Start trainees catch up with the programme’s graduates, Isabella Paul sits down with National Stud Nominations and Marketing Manager Joe Callan, who graduated Godolphin Flying Start last year.

IP: How did you decide on a career in the Thoroughbred industry?

JC: For as long as I can remember I have loved being around horses. I have family involved so I was fortunate enough to be exposed to the Thoroughbred industry from a young age. I regularly went racing growing up and started attending the sales with my father when I was in primary school. Every year I looked for a day off school to attend the foal sales and thankfully he obliged. This had to have played a massive role in my decision to have a career in the industry. I studied English and History at University College Dublin, but it was quickly clear the passion for the industry would come out on top.

IP: What was the most valuable experience you gained prior to Godolphin Flying Start?

JC: It’s very hard to pinpoint one experience as I worked for some excellent people before Godolphin Flying Start. I worked in Ireland for Baroda and Colbinstown Studs for David Cox and David Myerscough, who do an exceptional job. I also spent time in Australia working for Arrowfield Stud, who run a phenomenal operation vastly different to what we see in Europe and also for legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse in Sydney. I was incredibly lucky that everywhere I worked there were great people to learn from and I was surrounded by quality horses. I completed the Irish National Stud course, which was a fantastic experience. Both the Irish National Stud course and the National Stud course here in Newmarket are something I would highly recommend to any young person wanting to get into the industry. It is an amazing six months and you learn so much in such a short time frame.

IP: What was the most valuable thing you learned from Godolphin Flying Start?

JC: Every day on the course you learn something new from horsemanship skills to personal development. I do think that one of the most important aspects was the emphasis on building up a strong network. The industry is so global and Godolphin Flying Start offers the opportunity to make connections that you might not otherwise have had the opportunity of doing.

IP: How are you finding life outside the course?

JC: I definitely miss being on the course but in another way I am excited to be in the industry working and applying what I’ve learned. Luckily since I started the role here the sales season was quickly upon us and now we are finalising plans for the breeding season so there hasn’t been much time to reminisce.

IP: And onto the National Stud, how has this new job been so far?

JC: The new job has been great. There is an excellent team here at The National Stud headed by Tim Lane and James Berney who have been doing a great job for a number of years. Avenue Stallions combined of John Ferguson, Mark McStay and Amy Lanigan; The Burns family of Rathasker Stud, and Makin Stallions have played a huge role in helping to build our roster over the past few years. The young, high-quality roster we have combined with being supported by great people makes The National Stud an exciting place to be.

IP: Tell us about the two new stallions standing at The National Stud?

JC: They’re very different horses but both equally very exciting prospects. I find it hard to think of a horse as tough on the flat as Lancaster Bomber (War Front) in recent years; any horse that can win or be placed in seven Group 1 races in four countries is something special. He was very talented and his toughness was remarkable. He is a great physical, has a brilliant pedigree and is the first Group 1-winning son of War Front to stand in the UK so he is a very exciting prospect for breeders.

Rajasinghe (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) is a stunning individual and has the walk to match his looks. His turn of foot when winning the G2 Coventry S. in record time was impressive and coming from such a fast sire line you can see why he has such strong appeal to breeders.

IP: What brought about the new initiative with Time Test, if you breed a 2-year-old winner from his 2019 book?

JC: Time Test (GB) is a stallion The National Stud have put a lot of faith in. He was an exceptional performer, he is an outstanding individual and is just pure quality. He is a son of Dubawi (Ire) and comes from one of the most prominent Juddmonte families with his dam Passage of Time being a Group 1-winning 2-year-old. We understand the second year is notoriously difficult so we feel this is a way to thank breeders who put their faith in him again this year and once his progeny begin to click on the racecourse I hope they will be rewarded. We are very lucky that he was supported by some of the best breeders in the business last year so we have some exciting foals to come. His first book included Lynwood Chase (dam of Group 1 winner Cannock Chase), Comic (dam of Hong Kong Champion Viva Pataca), also Scuffle, who is a half-sister to Cityscape and Bated Breath and is the dam of Group 1 placed/Group 3 winner Suffused, among other top quality mares. Thankfully it looks like he will keep this momentum up with his 2019 book.

IP: What would be the main incentive for anyone who was looking to apply for Godolphin Flying Start in your opinion?

JC: It is the most wonderful opportunity anyone could ask for and is such an amazing two years. You’re surrounded by the best horses, get to meet great people and attend the best race meetings. Like anything in life if you go into the course with an open mind and open ears what you will learn will always stand to you.

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