Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is delighted to announce that the 2025 Nolan Scholarship has been awarded to TBA Fast Track graduate Mackenzie Porter.
The Nolan Scholarship was established in memory of the late Basil Nolan Jnr, a highly respected and much-loved member of the Australian thoroughbred breeding community. Awarded annually on merit to an outstanding graduate from any cohort of the TBA Fast Track program, the scholarship provides the recipient with the opportunity to undertake the internationally renowned Thoroughbred Breeding Management course at the Irish National Stud.
Mackenzie Porter graduated from TBA Fast Track in 2024 and completed her 12-month placement at Widden Stud in New South Wales, one of Australia’s most iconic and successful breeding operations. Since graduating in May this year, Ms Porter has continued to build her career at Widden and was nominated by them for the HTBA Employee of the Year – Newcomer Award.
For Ms Porter, this opportunity marks a significant milestone in her career.
“It’s an honour to receive the Basil Nolan Scholarship, and I am very grateful to the Nolans for this opportunity to participate in the Thoroughbred Breeding Management course at the Irish National Stud in 2026,” Ms Porter said.
“It’s been an amazing journey so far and this will be a great stepping-stone for my career to continue its progression following on from the Fast Track program.
“I’d like to thank the entire team at Widden and everyone at TBA; I’m very excited to be heading to Ireland for this opportunity and look forward to bringing back a wealth of knowledge and experience.”
Mackenzie will travel to Ireland in January 2026 to commence her studies at the Irish National Stud.
Basil Nolan Snr, Stud Principal at Raheen Stud and father of the late Basil Nolan Jnr, as well as Chairman of TBA, said the Nolan Scholarship not only honours Basil Nolan Jnr’s enduring legacy but also continues his passion for mentoring and encouraging young people in the thoroughbred industry.
“Mackenzie’s selection as the 2025 recipient reflects both her individual accomplishments and the ongoing success of the Fast Track program in developing skilled and motivated future leaders,” Mr Nolan said.
“It was very special to be joined by my grandson Basil – Basil Nolan Jnr’s son – as part of the review process for this year’s applications, and to share the responsibility of choosing this year’s winner with him.
“It was a difficult decision with many compelling applications to review. We are very pleased to award the scholarship to Mackenzie and we wish her the very best of luck for her time in Ireland, and for a long and rewarding career in the industry over the years to come.”
Renowned for its immersive, hands-on approach to every facet of stud management and breeding, the Thoroughbred Breeding Management course at the Irish National Stud has produced graduates who now shape the breeding and racing industries worldwide — including several of Australia’s most respected industry leaders.
TBA has collaborated with the Irish National Stud and the Nolan family to present the Nolan Scholarship – exclusively available to graduates of the TBA Fast Track program – since 2020. Applications for Fast Track 2026 open in February 2026. More information about the Nolan Scholarship, Fast Track and other TBA Education and Training Programs can be found at www.tbaus.com/programs/.
