Events
Introduction
In the spirit of the WINR vision and mission, three events are held annually to bring women together. Each event has a focus such as inspiration, education, networking, mentoring or career development. Over 18’s are welcome to attend the events which are advertised on the WINR website and social media. Some events may be by invitation only due to numbers or other restrictions.
The AGM is held in conjunction with one of the events, during which new committee members are elected. Our next event takes place at Kildangan Stud on Tuesday 29th October from 6.15pm.
AUTUMN EVENT
Tuesday 29th October 2024 at Kildangan Stud, Kildare
WINR’s Autumn event shone a spotlight on the unique challenges women face in the workplace and steps taken to overcome them. Lorna Fowler hosted a stellar line-up of “Leading Ladies” which included Joanna Morgan, Katie Walsh, Sasha Kerins and Zoe Smalley. They shared their personal journeys, offering insights into climbing the career ladder, balancing family life, and returning to work after maternity leave.
The evening also introduced the 2025 WINR Mentoring Programme, which is set to run from January to April next year and which has been a valuable resource for young women in the industry.
SPRING SHOWCASE – WINR Fireside Chat
Tuesday April 16th at Irish National Stud
Smooth Transitions Evident
Following an informative racehorse to riding horse masterclass earlier in the afternoon, “transitions” remained the theme into the evening event hosted by WINR in partnership with Treo Eile, only this time it was humans rather than horses that took centre stage. A fireside chat, expertly led by Patrick Mullins – making his debut in such a role – introduced Thoroughbred industry participants who had notably made successful transitions from one profession to another.
First up was Anthea Leigh, a champion point-to-point jockey who was notably the first female professional to win over the National fences when making history in the 1991 Topham Trophy at Aintree aboard J-J Henry. After having her son Henry, Leigh made a significant career shift and switched the racing silks for a going stick. Qualifying as a clerk of the course, she embarked upon a successful tenure at all five Scottish racecourses and most recently York Racecourse. While acknowledging the role of luck and timing in her transition, Leigh also attributes her resilience, honed during her time as a woman in the weighing room, as instrumental in navigating the predominantly male-dominated realm of clerking.
Fellow panellist, Dena Merson shares a similar story of resilience in a male-dominated industry and on encountering barriers to entry in the field of racing journalism, she pivoted to investment banking. It was a good decision it seems, as the Cambridge graduate went on to become Managing Director of Credit Suisse, which ultimately facilitated her return to her passion for breeding and bloodstock. Holding the accolade of breeding both a Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival winner, Merson’s success is a tale of determination and alongside her breeding operation she champions initiatives such as the Women In Racing mentoring program in the UK and more recently, she founded Racing Home, aimed at assisting mothers in re-entering the workforce.
Bringing up the trio of panellists was the ever-engaging Johnny Murtagh. His journey began at RACE, characterised by a competitive spirit that has defined his career both as a Champion jockey and now as a trainer. Transitioning from jockey to trainer, Murtagh did not make life easy for himself, juggling both roles for a while but with great success in doing so. Murtagh regularly put his success down to good fortune. Yet, what emerged most prominently throughout the discussion was that, while everyone needs luck on their side along the way, it was passion and determination that made luck happen. Just as racehorses transition into riding horses, people too can navigate career shifts in the thoroughbred industry.
Click here to view photos of the event.
WINR AGM 2024
Thursday 16th April 2024 at RACE, Kildare
The AGM was held at RACE after the Riding Masterclass, with 36 people in attendance. The outgoing chair, Clodagh Kavanagh, thanked the committee for their commitment and support, as well as citing the achievements of the network since its reiteration in early 2021. Following the secretary and treasurers reports, committee and officers elections took place by private ballot.
WINR Officers 2024
- Sarah McNicholas – Chair
- Lucy Blake – Treasurer
- Leona Hughes – Secretary
Pictured top left are the four newly elected WINR committee members (l to r): Erin Campbell, Nessa Joyce, Melissa Steele, Caroline Brindley
Photo below shows WINR treasurer Lucy Blake, committee member Jackie Fitzsimons, incoming chair Sarah McNicholas, outgoing chair Clodagh Kavanagh, committee member Fiona Dowling.
Click here to view photos of the event.
SPRING SHOWCASE – Racehorse to Riding Horse Masterclass
Tuesday April 16th at RACE
WINR partnered with Treo Eile to put together a Spring Showcase on Tuesday April 16th. Approximately 80 people attended a masterclass in jumping and showing in the huge indoor school at RACE in the afternoon. The jumping session was delivered by Esib Power (Sizing John) and she was joined by Louise Duffy (Al Boum Photo). Joanne Quirke (Chris’s Dream) led the showing session, with Sarah Kate Robinson (A Plus Tard), Emma Connolly (Snow Falcon), Stephanie McGlynn (Mickah Wallace), Caitriona Bolger (Feel My Pulse). The audience were able to ask questions and pick the brains of both Esib and Joanne for their advice about retraining racehorses. At one stage there were three former Gold Cup winners on display demonstrating their new found talents and careers.
QUIZ NIGHT
Thursday 15th February 2024 at Silken Thomas, Kildare
Free to attend but pre-registration is necessary. Click here to book.
NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
Friday December 4th by Zoom
Notice is herby given that and EGM of the WINR Network will be held at 5pm on Monday December 4th 2023.
AUTUMN EVENT
Friday 27th October 2023 at Red Mills Store, Kilkenny
This event was held in the impressive Red Mills Store just outside Kilkenny city. Attendees were treated to light supper and prosecco on arrival and there was lots to see and try on in the shop which was full of lovely winter wear and equine products. The Red Mills team were on hand in force to welcome everyone, along with the WINR committee.
MC Jane Mangan hosted a lively discussion with panellists including veterinary surgeon Gillian Maddock, Red Mills equine nutritionist Erin Campbell, Alan Creighton from the Irish Equine Centre and Emma Hartigan from Kildangan Stud. Simple tips like making sure your mare is constantly exposed to the correct amount of light, to different views on rugging your mare and a multifaceted approach to the health of the horse led to audience participation, and a few witty comments. In wrapping up, Jane fittingly paid tribute to Helen Bryce Smith who passed away recently and was a pioneer for women jockeys.
INAUGURAL WINR SUMMER SHOWCASE
Friday May 19th at Leopardstown Racecourse
Prior to racing at Leopardstown Racecourse on May 19th, over 60 women attended the WINR Summer Showcase on the top floor Penthouse which overlooks the track. Following a Welcome Lunch Meet & Greet, MC Amii McKeever from the Irish Farmer’s Journal opened the showcase. Amii facilitated a fantastic conversation on Racehorse Ownership with an expert panel of Amber O’Grady (HRI), Jodi O’Donoghue (Syndicate Manager) and Kate Hardy (MyRacehorse). The panellists provided valuable insights regarding ownership from sole ownership to syndicates and microshares. Next on the agenda was the 2023 Mentoring Programme Panel Launch with panellists and mentors Laura Magee, Fiona Dowling and WINR Chair Clodagh Kavanagh.
The WINR AGM was held, where new committee members Leona Hughes and Orla Donworth were elected as well as Lucy Blake who takes up the office of secretary. Following the AGM, guests received Treo Eile goodie bags and a tour of the renowned racetrack with Katie Walsh and Jane Hedley. To conclude a fantastic evening of networking and racing, the WINR Ladies Handicap was won by 7lb claiming jockey Amy Jo Hayes on Burren Song.
Click here to view photos of the event.
MOVIE NIGHT
Wednesday February 8th 2023
A feel good horseracing movie on a cold February evening was a very enjoyable way to kick off 2023 for WINR.
The popcorn, crisps and fizzy drinks went down a treat with everyone who attended, and the Kildangan Stud Cape Cross Centre makes for a comfortable and high impact cinema experience. There was a diverse audience including a group of young women from RACE, chaperoned by WINR committee member Fiona Dowling. A number of other committee members, as well as founder member, Meta Osborne, and Orla Murtagh, Jennifer Pugh and Tom Rudd were present. Clodagh Kavanagh welcomed everyone and gave some WINR beanie spot prizes to this who knew their stuff about the Melbourne Cup. Clodagh was followed by Breda Kelly, Godolphin Ireland HR manager, who pointed out the theme of diversity and inclusion that ran through the movie. There was a spontaneous round of applause as the movie ended, and the emotional roller coaster of the story of Michelle Payne’s life and her epic win in the 2015 Melbourne Cup came to a close. As the lights came on, a few tears were wiped away and there was lots of chat about the inspiration in the movie for female jockeys and indeed for those with intellectual disabilities like Michelle’s brother, Stevie, who has Downs Syndrome. Thank you to all of those who attended and we look forward to your ongoing support for WINR for our summer and autumn events this year.
Click here to view photos of the event.
JUMPING TO SUCCESS – TATTERSALLS SALES EVENT
Thursday November 10th 2022
The Jumping to Success event at Tattersalls during the November NH sale was the third and final WINR event of 2022. It kicked off at 3pm in the afternoon with an opportunity to meet and shadow consignor Olive O’Connor and agent Anna Moore at the sale. Orla McKenna met and made the introductions for 11 eager young women who registered to take part and an informative practical session took place in the barn.
Later on, over some excellent food, beverages and goodie bags, the Q&A session was held in the Tattersalls office drawing room. About 45 people attended and they were invited to get involved by submitting questions to the interviewees. Once again, Olive and Anna gave their time and shared insights into their business’s and their experiences. Orla McKenna and Simon Kerins talked about auctioneering, sales inspections, cataloguing and reserves. It was a great way to round off the year and thank you to all of the WINR committee, supporters and all who attended the event.
Click here to view photos of the event.
MENTORING PROGRAM
August 2022
65 people attended the WINR mentoring launch held in the beautiful surrounds of Kildangan Stud on August 31st. There was plenty of time to meet friends and new connections over food and drinks before the event started and the conversations flowed. Keynote speaker Dr Roberta McDonald provided a personal and insightful presentation about mentoring and its benefits as well as some strong messages to those who wanted to be mentored explaining “Mentoring is never about one person, you have got to show up, on time, and ready to commit to goals”. Clodagh Kavanagh explained that the WINR mentoring is an eight month commitment and that 9 mentors have agreed to have up to 6 meetings with mentees, one of which will be an experiential opportunity at their place of work. Mentees should apply by Monday September 5th and if the programme is oversubscribed a reserve list will be created. Mentees will be matched with mentors and introduced by e mail.
Click here to view photos of the event.
WINR FAIRYHOUSE RACES NETWORK EVENT
Saturday April 16th 2022
WINR hosted an invitation only network event at Fairyhouse on the day of the Ladies National Steeplechase with the intention of connecting riders in the race with women working in racing yards, bloodstock, education, administration and regulation of Irish racing. With a capacity of approximately 40, the committee were delighted to welcome women from the yards of Jessica Harrington, Henry de Bromhead, Gordon Elliott and the IHRB, HRI, Weatherbys, RACE, ITBA and Tattersalls. It was lovely to have the support of founder member, Meta Osborne, in the suite also. A number of the jockeys joined after the race and were introduced to the other guests and the WINR committee.
Refreshments were provided in the suite overlooking the winning line which Gillian Carey arranged, our new WINR banners were delivered by Elaine O’Farrell, and lovely goodie bags were kindly sponsored by Tote Ireland through operations manager Lynda Reilly. Fairyhouse manager Peter Roe dropped in for a chat, a tipster was provided and the Tote vouchers were very popular!
AUTUMN INSIPRATION
October 2021
KITCHEN TABLE CAREERS CHAT
June 2021
Co-hosted by Becky Coonan and Lily Cantillon
Featured Speakers:
Mary Kilduff – Bloodstock Executive at Goffs Sales
Elaine Burke – Industry Education and Training Co-ordinator for HRI’s Equuip
Siobhan Rutledge – Apprentice Jockey
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this event was held online in the form of a Zoom webinar. The webinar was co-hosted by Becky Coonan and Lily Cantillon, WINR committee members, to showcase the wide variety of career opportunities available within the Irish thoroughbred and racing industry. The guest speakers included Mary Kilduff, Elaine Burke and Siobhan Rutledge who were asked a series of questions about what they do and how they got to where they are today. There was a great turnout of over 50 people on the webinar who engaged with the speakers through a live Q&A at the end of the hour-long webinar.
WHAT’S YOUR CHALLENGE? THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SUCCESS WEBINAR
February 2021
Featured Speakers:
Dr Ciara Losty Psychologist WIT
Jane Mangan Horseracing Broadcaster
Dr Monica Gorman Lecturer UCD
Carole Stewart Lead L&D Partner Google
