(Edited press release)
Keeneland, together with Communicating for Agriculture’s International Exchange Program, has selected Dr. Marina Neves Penna and Ainslee (Lexy) Brackney as the first recipients of fully funded internships to work abroad in the Thoroughbred industry.
Neves earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in December 2006 from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil, and will be provided an opportunity to gain experience in various facets of the Thoroughbred industry in Lexington, Kentucky.
Brackney, who graduated from the University of Kentucky in May 2006 and has been working as a foreman for trainer Patrick Biancone, will continue her studies at Mick and Cheryl Goss’ Summerhill Stud in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
Neves and Brackney were chosen from a group of applicants representing North and South America. Thoroughbred racing is currently conducted in 62 countries, each one – such as Brazil and South Africa – possessing a unique way of producing competitive horses on the world stage. Keeneland and CAEP anticipate that the international scope of the industry will afford many opportunities for future growth of the program.
“The exchange of ideas, people and commerce from around the globe has contributed to Central Kentucky’s stature in the world, and we at Keeneland are honored to enable two very capable individuals to gain expertise abroad,” said Chauncey Morris, Keeneland sales marketing associate.
The jointly sponsored internship program funds visa and travel expenses, allowing interns to spend up to 12 months living and working in the Thoroughbred industry abroad. Each intern receives practical training in a variety of areas, including farm management, general horsemanship, veterinary techniques, racehorse management and training, sales preparation and organization, bloodstock transactions and marketing.
“These first recipients are wonderful and highly qualified people,” said Peter Risbrudt, CFO of Communicating for Agriculture’s Scholarship and Education Foundation. “We are proud to work with Keeneland to promote international exchange programs for the Thoroughbred industry.”