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.
“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.
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
