Supporting the Future of Irish Horse Breeding
Since its launch in 2023, the Agricultural Consortium and Teagasc’s Farm Apprenticeship Programmes have become a key part of agricultural education in Ireland, reshaping how young people enter farming, elevating farm business management, and building a more skilled, resilient agricultural workforce. The programme drew strong interest from the onset. It began with 98 farms in 2023 and by September 2025, it had grown to over 200 SOLAS approved registered employers.
Teagasc now aims to bring this successful model to the equine sector, where there is strong demand for combining on-farm experience with formal education and for developing the next generation of skilled thoroughbred (TB) and sport horse (SH) leaders and professionals.
In recent years, an Equine Consortium including Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA), Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), Godolphin Flying Start (GFS), the Irish National Stud (INS), Coolmore Stud and others have worked with Teagasc to develop a three-year, work-based Stud Manager Apprenticeship leading to a Level 7 bachelor’s degree. The programme is designed to address skills gaps and create strong progression routes into management roles across the TB and SH sectors.
Before progressing to the next stage, the consortium must confirm industry need, job opportunities, and employer capacity to support and train apprentices. The survey will gather evidence on the key skills, competencies and workplace experience required for Stud Managers.
The apprenticeship aims to develop skilled professionals who can strengthen standards, support recruitment, retention and contribute to the long-term growth of the Irish equine breeding industry. Apprentices will learn to manage stud operations, lead teams, coordinate veterinary care, and gain hands-on experience in horse care, treatments, handling, sales preparation, fitness, covering, and foaling. Stud Managers oversee all aspects of stud farm operations, managing breeding, business and staff while coordinating veterinary care and ensuring welfare, safety and compliance. They liaise with owners, trainers and stakeholders, maintain efficiency, profitability and sustainable business growth.
Employers will benefit from a three-year employed apprentice gaining management and practical skills, with access to government grants and bursaries subject to eligibility.
This proposed programme is subject to QQI/SOLAS approval, and evidence gathered through this survey will guide the final programme design. All responses will remain anonymous, confidential and handled in line with GDPR.
The survey takes only six minutes to complete: Stud Manager Apprenticeship Survey 2025
