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The NZTBA have announced that Ryan Stacey has been awarded the Keith and Faith Taylor Family scholarship to study at the Irish National Stud in 2019.

Stacey is currently working at Brighthill Farm in Cambridge, a position he has held for only seven months.

At 26 he was a late starter into the industry. He was born in Matamata and his parents have a background in the thoroughbred industry.

His father Steve was a jockey and his mother Samantha previously worked with racehorses and on studs.

His family left Matamata when he was a baby when his parents moved to Japan to work for Shadai Farm where they stayed for 10 years.

The NZTBA was delighted by the quality of the applicants.

“The calibre of the applicants was excellent and anyone of them could have represented us in Ireland,” said Justine Sclater NZTBA Business Development and Operations Manager.

“It was so pleasing to see so many young people with a passion for the thoroughbred industry wanting to improve their skills and apply for the scholarship.

“Ryan’s enthusiasm really stood out and we are confident he will represent New Zealand well and will benefit a great deal from the Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Course.”