County Meath natives Jordan Kidd and Tara Carroll were announced on Sunday as the latest recipients of scholarships from the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation, awarded in the memory of Irish pinhooker and successful breeder, Gerry Dilger.
The scholarships are open to Irish citizens, with the recipients earning a place on the Irish National Stud programme which Dilger himself completed. It includes fully paid tuition, room and board at the famed Kildare nursery.
“Jordan impressed the board with his passion and enthusiasm as he seeks to obtain bloodstock experience having worked primarily on the racing side of the business,” read a statement from the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation.
“As a young amateur jockey he has ridden winners for Gavin Cromwell and John McDonnell and has also worked for Pat Martin and Noel Meade. Jordan looks forward to increasing his knowledge of breeding at the Irish National Stud.”
The statement continued, “Tara graduated from University College Dublin with a degree in Agricultural Science – Equine and has already for such a young person, immersed herself in bloodstock internationally. She has competed successfully in Eventing in Ireland and enjoyed roles at trainers in Chantilly with Tim Donworth and Francis-Henri Graffard, Lexington with Andrew McKeever and in County Meath with Sheila Lavery.
“On the breeding side Tara has worked at Springhouse Farm in Lexington and gained invaluable sales experience with many consignors and bloodstock agents at Tattersalls, Goffs, Fasig Tipton Saratoga and Keeneland. Tara's impressive resume also includes breeding her own mares and raising young horses.”
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