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FRIDAY, 8 MARCH 2019 Q&A WITH GERRY DUFFY ASCOT POSSIBLE FOR Continuing our series in which current Godolphin Flying Start NEWSPAPEROFRECORD trainees catch up with the programme's graduates, Niall O'Connor sits down with Gerry Duffy, stud manager at Godolphin's Stonerside Farm in Paris, Kentucky. NO'C: You studied mechanical engineering at university; why horse racing? GD: I like to tell people, when I wasn't on a tractor or a mower, I was on a horse. My plan was to get a professional degree, make a living in that and keep the horses as a hobby. I was getting close to graduating and was applying for engineering jobs while I was working at Dr Ryan's Lyons Demesne in Kildare. Dr Ryan had just purchased Castleton Lyons in Kentucky which highlighted to me the opportunities to travel. Suddenly staying working with horses became more interesting than engineering and I realised there could be more opportunities in the industry than I was Click for a video interview with Chad Brown on Newspaperofrecord previously aware of. Cont. p2 With the official start of the flat season right around the corner, and the Classics following closely after that, thoughts will soon be fully turned to the latest 3-year-old crop, and who will feature in this summer=s key races. In a deviation from the norm, a filly who is likely one of the most anticipated turf 3-year-olds this year is tucked away not in a European yard, but is rather gearing up beneath the winter sun across the Atlantic in Florida. Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) was a 200,000gns purchase from Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2017 by Seth Klarman of Klaravich Stables, who had trainer Chad Brown and bloodstock agent Mike Ryan on the grounds in Newmarket. The bay filly went unbeaten in three starts last year, beginning with a 6 3/4-length maiden-breaking performance at Saratoga that saw her crowned a >TDN Rising Gerry Duffy (right) at The Curragh in 2016 with Kevin Manning, Star=. Newspaperofrecord would justify that tag with a 6 1/2- Jim Bolger and Joe Osborne | Racing Post length romp in the GII Miss Grillo S. on the grass at Belmont Park five weeks later, and wrapped up the season with one of the most impressive performances on Churchill Downs=s two-day IN TDN AMERICA TODAY Breeders= Cup card, winning the GI Juvenile Fillies= Turf by 6 3/4 lengths.= NO NAY NEVER: A TRANSATLANTIC SUCCESS STORY Sue Finley sat down with Coolmore Ireland Director of Sales David O’Loughlin to discuss the early success of No Nay Never. Click or tap here to go straight to TDN America. Cont. p2 TDN EUROPE • PAGE 2 OF 8 • THETDN.COM FRIDAY • 8 MARCH 2019 Ascot Possible For Newspaperofrecord cont. from p1 Newspaperofrecord is wintering at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Florida, and Brown said the filly has recently begun to step up her work in anticipation of a seasonal return in the GIII Edgewood S. going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs–the same track over which she won at the Breeders’ Cup--on Kentucky Derby weekend. “Newspaperofrecord has done well over the winter,” he said. “We gave her a little break after the Breeders' Cup, and she just got back to the work tab this past week. She's doing well. “Like most of the horses going from two to three, she's gotten a little bit bigger, a little stronger. She's put on a little bit more weight. I'm happy with her development.” Newspaperofrecord’s 2018 performances suggested she should be able to hold her own against any of her generation trained in Europe, and Brown said a trip to Royal Ascot is “under consideration.” “We haven't made any decision at all regarding that,” Brown said. “I figure we'll just get her back to the races at Churchill and see how she does, and it's something that we'll consider, but I definitely haven't decided on it.” Last month, the New York Racing Association announced that it would this summer launch a $5.25-million series of six turf races–three each for 3-year-old males and fillies–that will be branded as a Triple Crown and Triple Tiara on the turf. Brown said the Turf Triple Series will “definitely” factor into his I knew if I was going to further my career, I needed to further considerations for Newspaperofrecord. my education and Godolphin Flying Start was the best way to do “It’s definitely under consideration,” he said. “I think it's a that. I had no expectation of being selected when I sent off my wonderful idea, and we certainly want to participate in it, application but luckily enough, I gained a place and graduated in particularly with this filly--it's very attractive, and it's something 2007. I'll be discussing with her owner, Seth Klarman.” Newspaperofrecord was one of six yearlings purchased by NO'C: Furthering your education seems to be a feature of your Klarman’s Klaravich Stables at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October life to date--you studied an MBA after the course. How has Yearling Sale in 2017. Klarman returned to purchase 10 more that helped you in your career? last year. GD: It's helped me greatly. I'm a bit of a nerd for leadership training, and certainly further education is central to what I do. I would probably describe myself as knowing a little bit about a lot of things, but there is always more to learn, be it in the classroom or on the job. What's great about the MBA program is that you're learning about so many things that are relevant to the situations you're Q&A With Gerry Duffy cont. from p1 facing at work. It allows you to put the theory into practice and is very relevant. When you're in this industry you eat, sleep and NO'C: Godolphin Flying Start was in its early years when you breathe Thoroughbreds, so being able to meet people from gained a place on the course; what attracted you to apply? different industries with different perspectives and ideas is extremely beneficial. GD: It was in its infancy and the first class hadn't yet graduated but from what I saw and read it seemed like the best way to learn about the industry. TDN EUROPE • PAGE 3 OF 8 • THETDN.COM FRIDAY • 8 MARCH 2019 Q&A With Gerry Duffy cont. NO'C: How do you feel Godolphin Flying Start helped prepare you for your career to date? GD: For a young person wanting to get into this industry, it's better than winning the lottery. You cannot buy the experiences, Vice President, International Operations Gary King the education, and the people you meet through Flying Start. I Twitter: @garykingTDN have the utmost admiration for Clodagh Kavanagh and what [email protected] she's done with the course; along with Joe Osborne they have + 1.732.320.0975 really developed it into a leadership programme that in my opinion is unrivaled globally, regardless of the industry. The International Editor programme has changed since I was on it, and the standard of Kelsey Riley graduate has gone up exponentially--graduates are coming off Twitter: @kelseynrileyTDN the programme with a real handle on how leaders think and [email protected] have a clear idea of how they can influence positive change in European Editor the industry. It's the most amazing opportunity and the biggest Emma Berry winner is the industry itself as we have graduates that are Twitter: @collingsberry thinking about how we can move the industry forward, rather [email protected] than just moving themselves forward. It's yet another example of Sheikh Mohammed's unconditional support of the industry Associate International Editor and one which I will be forever grateful. Heather Anderson Twitter: @HLAndersonTDN Marketing Manager Alayna Cullen Twitter: @AlaynaCullen [email protected] Contributing Editor Alan Carasso Twitter: @EquinealTDN Cafe Racing Sean Cronin Tom Frary [email protected] Irish Correspondent Daithi Harvey Gerry Duffy with Kildangan Stud Head Stallion Man Owen Smyth | Racing Post Regular Columnists Chris McGrath | Andrew Caulfield | John Berry Kevin Blake NO'C: You didn't take long upon graduating the course to earn a senior position for Godolphin in Ireland. Tell us about that. IN TDN AUS/NZ TODAY GD: When I graduated, Darley/Godolphin was still undergoing a great degree of expansion. I was fortunate to secure a HK TRAVEL IMPASSE RESOLVED, FOR NOW nominations position in the USA, which was a terrific Australian horses will be permitted to compete at the opportunity to meet so many people, being at the sales and upcoming Champions Day at Sha Tin. Click or tap here to go races with a view to networking and selling nominations. straight to TDN Aus/NZ. TDN EUROPE • PAGE 4 OF 8 • THETDN.COM FRIDAY • 8 MARCH 2019 Q&A With Gerry Duffy cont. I was lucky enough that one of the things Bobby left was an Following that I had an opportunity to be part of the team at amazing team of people, and I'm able to be the glue that pulls it WinStar which was fantastic. They're pretty much second to all together. Hopefully we can build on the success the farm has none in terms of what they've achieved and to have been a previously had and even further expand upon it.