Francis Gaffard of France is spending two weeks at Hollywood Park in the Eoin Harty stable as part of the Darley Flying Start program. A dozen aspiring young horsemen are participating in the year-long international program sponsored by Darley Stud of Dubai that is designed to educate the participants in different aspects of training and breeding.
Gaffard, 27, has worked for David Powell in France and Nick De Meric in Florida as well as at the Goff Sale. Gaffard will spend six weeks altogether in Southern California with Darley trainer Harty. Two other participants, Edward Sackville of England and Michael Dilger of Ireland, are currently at Santa Anita with Harty and will rotate to Hollywood Park later.
Darley Flying Start, which includes nine other participants, also includes stops in Lexington, Ky., Australia and Dubai.