Madeline Burns on TDN Young Guns 2018

04 Feb 2018

TDN Interview

Young Guns Questions

Name: Madeline Burns

 

 

1.       What was your path into the industry?

I was lucky enough to grow up on the family farm, so from a very young age I have been exposed to the business. I studied Commerce International with Spanish in UCD and did a Masters in Commercial Law. After this I went to Australia for a year – I spent the breeding season at Widden Stud and worked closely with Derek Field. Anthony Thompson very kindly introduced me to Gai Waterhouse and she agreed to take me on for the sales season. I learned a lot from her in terms of selection of stock, and her dynamism when it came to selling on the yearlings to clients.

 

2.       Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

My biggest influence has been my family, mainly my father, Maurice. Dad is very hands on and a gifted stock man. It is hard to quantify how much he has influenced me – he is generous and many of the things I have learned from him through example. Running a family stud farm involves the juggling of many balls and his continuous hard work and enthusiasm is profound.

 

3.       What does your role involve?

My role involves every aspect of the business, from day to day care and management of the stock through to financial planning and strategy. During the breeding season, we work as a team with the teasing, the vet round, the scheduling of covers, the foaling, selling of nominations and deciding on matings. Then there is the sales season with allocation of yearlings and their preparation. On the buying side, stallion selection is a large focus of ours and also the selection of broodmares for the farm and for clients, and the pinhooking of foals. I also do the advertising and marketing. It is a very diverse job.

 

4.       What challenges do you face in your role?  

The biggest challenge is that a lot of foresight is needed. The decisions made now will not come into fruition for another two to three years – depending on whether the focus is the sale of the horse or success as a racehorse. Everyone wants to mate to the “it” stallion of the time, but the real challenge is to identify what stallion will be successful in the future and which broodmare will produce the best specimen possible from the mating.

 

5.       What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?

Travel as much as you can and be open to new experiences. Also, learn something new everyday, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and do your best to learn from them.

 

6.       What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the industry and how would you solve it?  

The biggest challenge is to get the next generation genuinely interested in racing and to maintain this interest throughout their lives. We need to foster a genuine love for the animal and this can only be done through physical proximity and empathy with the horse.

 

7.       What do you think horse racing’s perception is for the general public?

I think that horse racing is about the social aspect, humans love to see and be seen. The ideal model is that of Australian racing, where a much larger percentage of the population is involved in racehorse ownership through syndication. The opening of the new Circle Stand at Naas Races is a massive step in the right direction in terms of the racecourse experience needed.

 

8.       How would you attract more young people into the workforce?

While many young people enter the industry because of interest in the horse the difficulty lies in retention. There is a lack of experienced staff available and this I think is in direct correlation with wages.

 

9.       Who is your favorite racehorse of all time and why?

It is hard to choose one but I was touched by the verve and grit of Taghrooda in winning the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. She stylishly put it up to both her male and older contemporaries.

 

10.   Tell us something about yourself that not many people would know.

I am an open book … what you see is what you get.

 

11.   What would you like to achieve in the next 5 years?

To breed a Group 1 winner.

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