Jimmy Unwala who is due to graduate from the Darley Flying Start is bringing a batch of 12 trainees to witness the running of prestigious McDowell Indian Derby in order to create awareness about Indian racing among these future industry leaders. The visit is also intended to create awareness about the Darley Flying Start programme in India so that those wanting to be involved in the thoroughbred industry can apply for this prestigious two year programme which is totally funded..

Darley Flying Start has been imparting training to selected candidates form all over the world and three Indians have been part of this prestigious scholarship thus far. Ajay Anne who is currently working in Darley was from an earlier batch. Jimmy Unwala and his batch mates will get the taste of the best of Indian racing during the Derby weekend.. The Darley scholars are most sought after world over.

Darley Flying Start is an International Management Training Programme for the Thoroughbred Industry. The programme is a combination of rigorous academic module, practical horsemanship and global industry networking which requires those selected to commit fully to becoming future industry leaders. The aim of the programme is to recruit potential leaders to head the thoroughbred industry and give them training in five different countries which include Ireland, United Kingdom, America, Australia and Dubai in order to prepare them to play a long term role in the industry. Since the inception of the course in 2003 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 12 trainees who have excellent communication skills, ambition and commitment to be a part of the Darley Flying Start are selected from world over. Young ambitious people from all over the world apply for this scholarship and only the best among them get selected.

The Darley Flying Start trainees’ visit to India is being organized by Jimmy Unwala who is one of the twelve trainees. Jimmy completed his formal education from Kentucky where he graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science (Equine) before he was selected by the Darley Flying Start. He has been on the course since August 2008 and has had the opportunity to do work placements with Darley in Japan, Inglis Bloodstock in Australia and is currently with Zabeel Racing Stable in Dubai.

Jimmy who has organized this trip says that it is for the first time ever that the Darley Flying Start trainees will be visiting India. Every year the trainees get the opportunity to go all over the World. ''Being currently based in Dubai as part of the programme, I wanted to give exposure to my batch mates to the best of Indian racing. Additionally, I felt during my time in the University of Kentucky and also during the time on the course where I got to meet lot of people form all over the globe, the general awareness of Indian breeding and racing was minimal. I feel this is the best way to promote the Indian Thoroughbred Industry globally and also to create awareness about the Darley Flying Start programme in India for those who want to be involved in the thoroughbred industry. ‘’

The trainees visiting the derby along with Jimmy are Billy Ajello, P.J. Anthony, Gary King, Michael Buckley, Chance Timm, Bill Wong, Charlie Vaughan-Fowler, Meagan Jamieson and Brian McGrath.

For information about Darley Flying Start and to apply visit: http://www.darleyflyingstart.com