Josh Herd awarded 2025 Sunline Trust Scholarship

Media Release - Friday December 20

Manawatu’s Josh Herd has been announced as the 2025 recipient of the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship.

The son of leading Central Districts trainer Lisa Latta and former top jockey Bruce Herd was inspired to apply for the scholarship after seeing the success of previous recipients, particularly fellow Palmerston North product Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, alongside Te Akau training partner Mark Walker.

2025 Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship recipient Josh Herd.   Photo: Supplied

“I have seen how successful some of the past recipients have been in the industry and thought it would be a pretty good pathway forward,” Herd said.

“I have worked with Te Akau Racing’s Sam Bergerson and know what the scholarship has done for him, and so many others.

“Just to be able to go overseas and learn different ways of doing things and explore the opportunities the scholarship can offer is pretty exciting.”

The Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship, originally established by the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (NZTBA) and now administered by the Sunline Educational Trust, offers the successful candidate an all-expenses paid, bonded trip of 30 weeks, to experience the operational infrastructure, systems and management of the world's best in the thoroughbred industry.

Growing up, Herd spent a lot of time around the stables learning the everyday care of horses and the general duties of a stable hand. While at university he took on the communications role for Lisa Latta’s stable and is currently back working for his mother where he is taking on more of the programming and planning duties as well.

Herd has always aspired to work in the industry, and while studying for a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in accounting, at Otago University, he worked with the yearling team at Haunui Farm.

He has also worked for Bhima Thoroughbreds in New South Wales and for Riversley Park in the Waikato.

Advertisement

Prior to Herd embarking on the Sunline Scholarship experience, he will have a busy few months working for Bhima Thoroughbreds at Gold Coast’s Magic Millions and the Sydney Classic sales, along with the Karaka sales working for Haunui Farm.

The first port of call on his scholarship journey will be Coolmore Stud in Ireland where he will be immersed in all the facets of the stud and gain some exposure to the famous Ballydoyle Stables. From there he will move to the United Kingdom where he will shadow bloodstock agent Johnny McKeever, before spending time at Wetherby’s and Goffs.

That time is followed by a stint in Hong Kong, a place Herd is eager to visit.

“Hong Kong is the toughest racing jurisdiction in the world,” he said. “I am really looking forward to spending time there.

“But really I am basically looking forward to getting overseas to meet some pretty amazing people and to broaden my skills.”

The last port of call is Australia where he will be working with Vicky Leonard and her Kick Collective team.

Herd admits to being quite keen to eventually end up as a trainer and believes then his Bachelor of Commerce degree will be of use.

“At least I will be able to do my own accounts,” he quipped. - NZTBA

Advertisment
More Reading...
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Two New SW's for Too Darn Hot
Too Darn Hot is set to be crowned Champion Australian Second Season Sire and is headed back to Darley Australia this spring at a fee of $275,000 and overnight he produced two new stakes-winners in the UK and Ireland.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.