Miriam Drinnan’s vision for a big, bold career in the Thoroughbred industry has just been turbo-charged thanks to the Les Young Scholarship, an award supported by the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program.
The driven twenty-year-old from Wahring in northern Victoria is the 2025 scholarship recipient, and it’s still sinking in that she’ll be rubbing shoulders with the best-of-the-best at The National Stud in the United Kingdom from January next year.
“I hadn’t even considered this as a possibility. I’ve grown up in this industry, but I’ve only been working on the racing side for just over a year, and the European racing industry felt a long way off. I’m really excited to learn all sides of the breeding industry, and I have a big interest in the veterinary and medical aspects of this. The bloodstock side of things plus stud management and people management is all fascinating to me.”
Hungry for knowledge and to expand the breadth of her experience, Miriam intends to soak it all in during her time immersed in the heart of the British Thoroughbred industry.
“Coming out of the program at The National Stud, I’m looking forward to discovering what areas I’m most passionate about and truly enjoy. I also hope to improve my leadership skills to set me up for these roles in the future,” she said.
Currently 2IC to the day shift supervisor at Lindsay Park Racing in Euroa, Miriam credits being entrusted with responsibility early with shaping her ambitions: to lead in her industry, contribute to its sustainability and repay the mentoring that has already been pivotal in her life.
In addition to acknowledging the team at Lindsay Park, Miriam recognises Daniel Nevill of Hollylodge Thoroughbreds for his continued support and for offering practical experience during her holidays, which included preparing yearlings for sales and working with broodmares and foals.
An industry with endless opportunities
Growing up, Miriam was shaped in equal parts by her family’s Southdown sheep stud and commercial Corriedale flock (the qualified wool classer has started her own Corriedale sheep stud) and the Thoroughbred breeding business her parents started in 1994. For Miriam, there was something captivating about a childhood filled with riding, yearling prep, broodmares and foals.
“I’m passionate about the wool industry, so I have been torn,” she said.
“But you have to absolutely love what you do, and it’s the Thoroughbreds I dream about. There’s so much to learn, from the racing side to breeding. There are so many facets you can delve into, and you never stop learning.”
For Caitlin Smith who manages AgriFutures’ Thoroughbred Horses Program, Miriam is exactly the emerging, committed professional that Les Young - himself a respected leader in the Thoroughbred industry - saw as the future.
“Les Young understood the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders,” she said.
“Les was renowned and generous with his time mentoring young people who were keen to work within the Thoroughbred industry. The chance to train at The National Stud is a pathway to international exposure and access to rich expertise and skill-development that will shape their path in the industry.”
With the Les Young Scholarship program now in its third year, its recipients are part of an important vision for the future.
“As our scholarship alumni base grows, we’re developing a cohort who are going to shape the next chapter in the Thoroughbred industry. This opportunity builds their capacity, provides them with a network of aligned peers, and supports retention across the industry,” Caitlin said.
“We’re incredibly grateful for The National Stud’s ongoing support in making the Les Young Scholarship possible,” Caitlin added.
“Their commitment to fostering talent and sharing world-class knowledge has a direct and lasting impact on the development of emerging industry leaders like Miriam. This partnership ensures our scholarship recipients have access to some of the best training and mentorship in the global Thoroughbred industry.”
Tailor-made vocational development
At The National Stud in Newmarket, Miriam will have access to a tailored program combining practice and theory that has been custom designed for her.
“I spoke to the team at The National Stud recently and I know there will be a lot to do on the breeding side of things—from foaling down mares, working in the covering sheds and learning about matings.”
She also values the access this scholarship affords to the nuanced differences in European Thoroughbred bloodlines.
“This is very relevant to the Australian thoroughbred industry, as their [European] shuttle stallions come out and influence our Australian bloodlines. Going back to foundational sire lines and bloodlines that our horses descend from is a great opportunity. I’m excited to see more stayers and long-distance horses and compare them to the typical Australian Thoroughbreds where the focus is predominately on speed,” she said.
After her 16-week study experience in the United Kingdom, Miriam plans to combine hands-on industry work with a Bachelor of Business (Agriculture) and pursue her goal to give back to the industry that has already given her so much.
“I definitely would not have thought about an opportunity like this if it wasn’t for a scholarship. This is taking people who have a keen interest in the industry and giving them the education, experience and network to become leaders who will keep the industry thriving and sustainable for the next generation.”
Learn more about the Les Young Scholarship. The AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program invests in research to improve the sustainability, productivity and competitiveness of the industry.
