OFF THE RECORD #45

From Student to Pro: Caitlin Jourdan’s Irish Stud Journey

Caitlin Jourdan (25), daughter of accomplished breeder Sally Bruss of Paardeberg Stud, recently completed a six-month residential course in Thoroughbred Breeding Management at the renowned Irish National Stud in County Kildare, Ireland.

The course is known for being one of the best of its kind in the world and aims to equip learners with the knowledge, skills and competence required to perform effectively in responsible positions in the thoroughbred industry. It runs for the duration of the Northern Hemisphere breeding season between January and July and combines a range of lectures with in-depth practical applications in the fields of equine anatomy and physiology, breeding, nutrition, bloodstock management, equine business, pedigree analysis, and personal and professional development.

Caitlin graduated on 26 June, 2024, and her proud mother attended the ceremony. They’re a formidable team at Paardeberg now for the South African breeding season, and their resident stallion Expert Eye (Acclamation - GB) is well into his duties for his first local term at stud.

She remains overwhelmed with her experiences in Ireland and said: “I left South Africa nine months ago after four years in the work force. I was still at school when Mom managed Lammerskraal Stud, but I lived there and was involved with the mares and foals for 21 years. I lacked experience with stallions and covering. When I got back to Paardeberg, it was so amazing because I knew exactly what to do in all aspects of the operation and felt like an old pro.”

Caitlin has been especially active managing Expert Eye and she explained: “At the Irish National Stud we had an intake of 28 students and they rotated us between the foaling units for mares, the barn for barren mares and maidens, the yearling division and the stud office. I enjoyed the stallions most. It was incredible working with a legendary stallion like Invincible Spirit, the so-called ‘King Of Speed’ and sire of sires including Kingman, I Am Invincible and the South African newcomer, Digital Age. He remains the pride of the stud.

“Invincible Spirit is 27 years old and still siring stakes winners. His book has been reduced to about 60 mares, but he doesn’t know his age. He takes one look at a mare and rushes to his target with the spirit of a youngster. He’s a little guy and has to stand on a podium to cover his mares, but he gets the job done like the star he is. I loved being around him, a loveable and very likeable horse.”

The stud’s young gun is Phoenix Of Spain, a Group 1 winner by Lope De Vega and Caitlin told: “He had a book of 190 mares, they have high expectations for him. He’s a monster grey, a bull of a horse and scary too, the opposite of Invincible Spirit. Students are not allowed to handle the stallions during the covering process, we only held the mares or lifted their tails when they were covered. We had to be especially careful around Phoenix Of Spain. Only the very experienced stallion lads are allowed to handle him and they do an admirable job. They put a special, leather cape around the necks of the mares so the stallions don’t hurt them when they jump on.”

Above: Another foal safely on the ground (pic supplied)

The stud delivers over 300 foals each year, making it one of the largest foaling operations in the world, providing students with the opportunity to benefit from decades of experience of the staff and associated veterinarians through both lectures and hands-on training in the foaling barns.

“Every day consisted of practical work, a lunch break, more work in the yards to finish our duties and then lectures by veterinarians and industry professionals between 5pm and 6pm in the evenings. They included Goffs CEO Henry Beeby and legendary bloodstock agent, Luke Lillington. The information was specific and truly helpful, and we were regularly tested on the knowledge relayed,” said Caitlin.

The stud is situated close to the Goffs Sales complex, just 15m away from The Curragh and about 45m from Leopardstown, so the students had plenty of opportunities to go to auctions and race meetings. Ten of them took a couple of days off to go to the Royal Ascot Festival for what Caitlin describes as a terrific time.

Above: Fun with the fellow students (pic supplied)

The best racing, however, was at the Punchestown National Hunt festival. Most of the students attended the week-long festival and Caitlin was one of 10 chosen to work on the course. She had a day to follow the races in a car, looking out for falling horses and injured jockeys. She recounted: “I was in a vehicle with a partner and all went smoothly. We thought we’d have a day with no incidents. But we had a faller in the last race, quite the experience!”

She said that the National Hunt circuit and the jumps meetings are markedly different from flat racing and absolutely beautiful to witness. “I have never seen such passion among horse folk. Thousands attend their race meetings, young and old. They are deeply passionate. Horses are a part of the fabric of the land and the knowledge of the racegoers is astounding. The Irish people are incredibly warm and made us all feel more than welcome. I found them enriching and unforgettable.”

Another highlight during her stay was a visit to Coolmore, where the group was privileged to get up close to their world-famous stallions including Wootton Bassett, Churchill, Camelot and St Marks Basilica. They were also introduced to trainer Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle and Caitlin recounted: “He is a true gentleman. We were standing next to him as his string of two-year-olds came trotting by, one after the other, perhaps 40 of them. I witnessed something I had only heard about. Aiden greeted all the work riders by their first names!”

Above:  Meeting Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle (pic supplied)

If she had to pinpoint the most valuable things gained from her six months at the Irish National Stud, Caitlin said, it would be the educational lectures with veterinarians, the amazing social experiences with her fellow-students and perhaps most of all, the networking.

“I could have gone to a stud in South Africa and learnt from any of our wonderful breeders, but the contact with so many international people made this venture totally unique. There were students from Ireland, Canada, Venezuela, Brazil and the United States and every individual brought something special to the table. I have kept close contact with a number of them. And anyone who enrols for this course should know that Cathal Beale, the CEO of the Irish National Stud, is an incredible man who made my experience so much more worthwhile.”

Caitlin is keen on gaining more international experience and hopes to apply for Godolphin’s Flying Start Programme in the future. This is the international gold standard for thoroughbred industry students and she said: “It helps to have completed the Irish National Stud course, the second-most recognised achievement, but only a handful of students are enlisted every year. I’d also like to spend a bit of time at some of the big American stud farms.”

For now, however, it’s shoulder to the wheel at Paardeberg and she said: “Mom’s bought some good mares including Canadian Summer, Full Velocity and Marigold Hotel and Expert Eye had another Listed stakes winner in the UK just last Friday. We’re hopeful and excited about him. I may travel more, but my future is here!”