Making Their Mark: Sam Harte

[Wandering Eyes]

In this new series we sit down with a selection of Europeans making a significant impression in the Thoroughbred industry on foreign shores. Today we have Co. Wexford’s Sam Harte.

Position: I work at Cornett, a creative marketing agency based in Lexington, Kentucky. I specifically manage and work closely with our Lane’s End Farm and Breeders’ Cup accounts.

Original Hometown: New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

Current Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky.

Thing you miss most about Ireland (not including family and friends): National Hunt racing, especially this time of year in the run up to the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals.

Person in the industry you admire: Clodagh Kavanagh, Godolphin Flying Start. Since 2005, Godolphin Flying Start has provided 12 trainees a year with the skills and knowledge they need to fulfill their dream jobs in the Thoroughbred industry. In the coming years the course will see its 200th graduate thanks to the generosity of Godolphin and Clodagh’s role as Executive Director. The drive and professionalism that she brings in her approach is something she inspires in the trainees and graduates of the program, which I was fortunate to graduate from in 2016.

Three dinner guests: David Attenborough, to hear his many stories of the natural world. Don Henley, for a song after dinner.  David McWilliams, to hear his economic and political hot takes.

Best thing about a career in the Thoroughbred industry: It truly is a global industry with something to always look forward to on the international calendar of racing and breeding.

Favourite racehorse: The Fugue (GB) competed time and time again at the highest level across the world. She won four Group 1 races but she was unlucky not to win more. While completing an internship at York Racecourse I saw her win the G1 Yorkshire Oaks and I remember being completely taken aback by her in the paddock before the race.

Piece of advice for someone starting out: All over the world, racing and breeding end goals are generally the same, but the way we achieve these goals varies greatly from country to country. I would advise anybody starting out to gain experience in at least three different countries to see how the process of training, raising, breeding, racing and marketing varies.

Today, many organisations will offer cost-saving incentives such as flights, accommodation and visas for international employees, so I think the barriers to entry aren’t as high as many may think. The opportunity to make connections across the world will be beneficial for a lifetime.

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