Applications open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship

Media Release - Thursday April 17

Young professionals in the thoroughbred breeding industry have a unique opportunity to enhance their careers, with applications now open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship.

Click here for more info.

The prestigious scholarship provides funding to undertake an international course and paid placement at the renowned National Stud in the UK.

Named in honour of Les Young, a respected figure in the thoroughbred industry, the scholarship upholds his legacy of mentorship and talent development. Les was a bloodstock agent, journalist, and long-serving member of Thoroughbred Breeders NSW, as well as a foundation member and vice president of the NSW Racehorse Owners Association.

In 1995, he co-founded the Equine Advisory Committee under the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, driving funding for equine research. Today, the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program continues to support industry sustainability through research and development.

Who can apply?

The scholarship is open to individuals aged 18–25 who have at least two years of industry experience in breeding, bloodstock, spelling, or racing and intend to continue contributing to the thoroughbred industry.

Advertisement

Applicants must submit a written application addressing their industry experience, long-term goals, and perspectives on key industry challenges and opportunities, along with two letters of support and a current resume.

Key dates

Applications close: 5 pm (AEST), Wednesday, 30 April 2025

Selection process concludes: Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Successful candidate notified: Thursday, 29 May 2025

Advertisment
More Reading...
Smart Hanseatic Winner on Sunday
Platinum Pantheon was a long way from home when he stepped out at Ashburton on Sunday, but that didn’t stop the sharp three-year-old from dominating his maiden rivals in the McCrea Family 1200.
Pedigree Watch - British Champions Day – Expect the Unexpected
Five G1 races were contested at Ascot overnight as the British flat season culminated with a dazzling day of racing, but there were shocks and surprises with only two favourites saluting on a day which was significant back in 2023 as the last time Via Sistina (IRE) raced in the Northern Hemisphere.
First winner for White Robe Lodge's Ancient Spirit
Ancient Spirit (Ger) is on the victory board and White Robe Lodge is expecting his progeny to continue to build winning momentum as the season rolls on.
Foals From Famous Families
There’s now over 400 foals on the Breednet Foal Gallery and it’s easy to spend a bit too much time having a look for whatever might interest us but here’s a few born into famous families that always take the eye.
Tara Talks Racing – That Was Some Saturday of Racing!
If you are a racing fan this is a special time of year and for those of us that love this sport, last Saturday was as good as it gets for so many reasons!
Applications Now Open for 2026 Aushorse Graduate Program
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Aushorse Graduate Program.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 18
Here is the full list of 130 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vale, Dual Cox Plate Hero So You Think
In Cox Plate week when we remember some of the all time great Cox Plate winners, So You Think is a name that will always come into the conversation with tragic news from Coolmore on Monday announcing his sudden passing. 
Flying Artie HK Star Wins G2 Sha Tin Trophy
The Mark Newnham trained Flying Artie gelding My Wish continued his rise through the grades in Hong Kong with a decisive win in the Group II Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) on Sunday leading home an Aussie bred trifecta.