Exciting times ahead for 2026
Welcome to 2026 at Silverdale Academy
As we turn the page on 2025, we do so with immense pride in what has been an outstanding year for Silverdale Academy. Over the past twelve months, we have welcomed hundreds of students, educators and industry partners to Silverdale Farm, delivered immersive schools programs and internships, and continued to open doors to meaningful career pathways across the thoroughbred and broader equine industry.
2025 was a year of growth, connection and impact — from inspiring school day tours and intensive internship programs, to celebrating graduate success stories and strengthening partnerships with leading industry organisations.
Each program reaffirmed our core purpose: to educate, inspire and support the next generation of industry professionals at a time when skilled workforce development has never been more important.
As we farewell 2025, we are excited to commence 2026 with the launch of our Autumn 6 – week Equine Internship Program, marking the beginning of an even more ambitious year ahead. With expanded programs, new partnerships and a continued focus on hands-on learning and real career outcomes, Silverdale Academy is poised to deliver bigger and better opportunities for students and the industry alike.
We look forward to sharing a recap of the highlights from 2025 and inviting you to join us as we build on this momentum and step confidently into 2026.
Building Pathways. Inspiring Futures.
Silverdale Academy is proud to deliver industry-connected education programs that introduce young people to the thoroughbred industry and support clear pathways into employment, further study and long-term careers.
Over the past year, our focus has been on early exposure, hands-on learning and genuine industry engagement. Below are highlights from our education programs, industry events and student success stories.
Schools Day Tours – Opening Doors to Opportunity
Our Schools Day Tours provide students with their first behind-the-scenes look at a working thoroughbred breeding operation. These tours are run in partnership with TAFE NSW and RIEP (Regional Industry Education Partnerships), and support of funding from the NSW Government.
Students visit Silverdale Farm, Kembla Grange, Goulburn Race Club, REC, Ciaron Maher, Mitch Beer, Thenford Farm, Milburn Creek and many other industry organisations to learn about:
- Daily care and management of horses
- Breeding and farm operations
- Horse Racing
- Equine Veterinarian
- Horse Nutrition
- The many career pathways available within the industry
- How education connects to real-world employment
For many students, these tours spark curiosity and confidence, opening their eyes to opportunities they may not have previously considered.
One-Week Schools Internship Program – Immersive Learning
Over 3 months, Silverdale Academy in partnership with TAFE NSW and RIEP (Regional Industry Education Partnerships), ran a total of 5 school programs. 4 of these programs were day tours from schools in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Goulburn and Southern Highlands Regions.
From our Schools Day Tours, a selection of 12 students from each participating region are invited to take part in our one-week Schools Internship Program.
This intensive experience includes:
*Practical horse handling
*Workplace readiness and safety training
*Industry-led discussions on careers and pathways
*Exposure to professional equine environments
*Workplace Communications
The program is designed to build skills, confidence and a deeper understanding of industry expectations.
Highlights of the internship program
The students had the incredible opportunity to visit Randwick Equine Centre (REC) to see first hand the behind-the-scenes state-of-the-art technology. We are immensely grateful to Dr Chris O’Sullivan and the team for leading our tour.
The team at Silverdale Academy cannot thank the REC team enough for partnering with us to allow students an opportunity to learn about another career in the thoroughbred industry. Our programs often have participants who are looking to go into a Veterinary/nursing career so this experience provides them with insight into how to achieve their goals.
The interns had an in-depth behind the scenes experience whilst at Kembla Grange racecourse where they were immersed in tours of the track, observing barrier trials from trackside and the judges box. They were then lucky enough to meet with groundsmen, gardeners and jockeys with the highlight being a visit to Ciaron Maher Bong Bong Training facility in Moss Vale for some hands on learning within a racing stable.
We are incredibly thankful to the Ciaron Maher team who continue to provide their generous support, expertise, knowledge and guidance to our students. All of their time and contribution allows the students to gain insight and understanding of the career pathways available in working for a trainer.
The wonderful Bec Stepetz, Operations Manager at Archibald Racing, provided the interns with invaluable knowledge of what it is like to be working for a high profile trainer such as Annabelle Neasham and then gave the students a glimpse into what it is like working at a stable and the rewarding career she has had.
As part of their internship experience, students also had the opportunity to meet Oli, Silverdale’s horticulture trainee.
Oli provided valuable insight into another essential aspect of working on a thoroughbred breeding farm — horticulture, grounds maintenance and presentation.
Students learned:
*Maintaining gardens and surrounds is a critical part of farm operations
*Immaculate presentation is essential, particularly during yearling parade preparation
*Horticulture and land management roles play a vital part in supporting the breeding and sales environment
*There are diverse career pathways on a farm beyond direct horse handling
This session helped broaden students’ understanding of the many roles required to run a successful breeding operation and highlighted how pride in presentation reflects professionalism across the entire industry.
Special mention goes to our career chat speakers who took the time out of their day to educate the future of our industry – Gai Waterhouse, Trainer, Jonathan D’Arcy – Bloodstock, Stephen Lamb -Horsepower Feed; Harrison Edwards, ATC (Graduate Intern); Rob Petith, Therese Jones, Sally Barton, Silverdale Farm, Brigid Kennedy – The Loch, Steven Keene, Darren Blinksell – Kembla Grange, Goulburn Race Club, MJ Dale Racing, Milburn Creek,.
Take homes from the Schools internship program
At the conclusion of the course, students were excited about their future career opportunities within the industry. They were pleasantly surprised by the variety of different jobs available and were left incredibly inspired. From this cohort of interns, we had keen interest for looking into careers in the industry.
We have assisted some students find work experience placements as they complete their schooling. Setting them up for the future heading into the industry.
All of our interns formed new lifelong friendships and continue to stay in touch and follow each others journey.
Accredited 6-Week Internship Program – Applications Now Open!
Applications are now open for our Nationally Accredited 6-Week Silverdale Academy Internship Program.
Program structure:
- 5 weeks online learning (with TAFE NSW Moss Vale Campus)
- 1 week intensive practical at Silverdale Farm
- Formal horse handling assessment
Participants also benefit from:
- Visits to breeding farms
- Racecourse exposure
- Equine veterinary clinic visits
- Inspiring guest speakers from across the industry
Places are limited, and the program provides a strong pathway into work experience, employment and further study.
Key Dates:
Applications open: Now
Selection process: 13 March 2026
Online learning commences: 23 March 2026
One-week practical (Silverdale Farm): 25–29 May 2026
Industry Engagement & Events
Silverdale Academy was proud to actively support and participate in key industry and community events that strengthen connections between education, industry and regional communities.
National Thoroughbred Week
As part of National Thoroughbred Week, Silverdale Academy welcomed guests on-farm to showcase thoroughbred breeding, education pathways and the breadth of careers available within the industry.
Breeders Seminar
Silverdale Farm were pleased to host a Breeders Seminar with Thoroughbred Breeders NSW to Southern Highlands bringing together breeders, industry professionals and supporters to share knowledge, experience and discussion on the future of the thoroughbred industry and workforce development.
Bong Bong Picnic Races
Silverdale Academy hosted at the Bong Bong Picnic Races, inviting:
*Program graduates
*Industry supporters and partners
This event provided an opportunity to celebrate student achievements, strengthen industry networks and reinforce the importance of community within the industry.
Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour – Avoca & Silverdale Farm
We were also proud to support the visit of the Lexus Melbourne Cup to Avoca and Silverdale Farm.
Hosting the Cup in the Southern Highlands provided a unique opportunity to celebrate the region’s contribution to the thoroughbred industry, connect students and community with racing history, and inspire future participation across all levels of the sport.
Student & Graduate Success
We are proud of the progress our students and graduates continue to make.
Silverdale Academy participants have gone on to:
*Secure work experience placements
*Transition into employment within the industry
*Continue with further study or traineeships
*Expand their career aspirations after discovering new opportunities
These outcomes highlight the value of early exposure, structured learning and strong industry partnerships.
Recruit a young graduate
If you are looking to employ young graduates from our intern programs, please contact Danielle Tiller on 0407 877 022 or dtiller@silverdalefarm.com.au. We would like to be able to provide our graduates with work experience opportunities, traineeships or long-term employment opportunities in the industry.
Looking Ahead
2026 is Year of the Horse
The Year of the Horse is traditionally associated with hard work, perseverance and progress. As an Academy built around the horse and the people who work alongside them, this year invites us to move forward with confidence, curiosity and purpose — shaping futures, creating pathways and celebrating the powerful role education plays in our industry.
Silverdale Academy remains committed to:
- Inspiring the next generation of industry professionals
- Strengthening education-to-employment pathways
- Delivering practical, relevant and future-focused programs
We look forward to continuing our work with students, schools and industry partners and welcoming future cohorts.
Profile of the Quarter – Greg Bennett, Thenford Farm
One of the Silverdale Academy’s biggest supporters and inspiring mentor is our “horse whisper” Greg Bennett at Thenford Farm.
Greg is always enthusiastic and giving of his time and understands the importance in giving young people a go in the industry.
With over 50 years’ experience breaking in and training horses, Greg is a highly respected figure in Australia’s equine industry. In his early twenties, he spent four years in the United States refining his horsemanship under the guidance of some of the leading Western performance trainers. During this time, he trained and competed in cutting horse events, building a strong foundation in Western disciplines.
On returning to Australia, Greg held head trainer positions at Glenalvon Australian Stock Horse Stud in Murrurundi and at Belltrees, Scone, where he specialised in training polo ponies for both domestic and international sale. A keen player himself, he competed in polo for ten years.
Transitioning into the Thoroughbred industry in the mid-1980s, Greg was granted his trainer’s licence in 1990 and has since trained professionally for 33 years at the Scone track, producing over 500 winners. Throughout this time, he continued to operate a successful breaking-in business alongside his training commitments. His involvement has contributed to the careers of notable horses such as Makybe Diva, Written Tycoon, All Silent, Typhoon Tracy, Bollinger, and Red Tracer.
In 2017,Greg founded Fenwick Farm in Queensland, focusing on breaking in and pre-training. Horses started at this property include Group 1 winners Stay Inside, Artorius, Shaquero, and Forbidden Love.
In 2022, he relocated to the Southern Highlands to help develop and grow Thenford Farm, Exeter. There, he continues to specialise in breaking in, pre-training, and rehabilitation, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most experienced and dedicated horsemen.
CALL TO ACTION
“The industry needs everyone’s support to keep Horse Trainer and Breeding on the occupations shortage list:”
The industry needs everyone’s support to highlight how the recent changes to apprenticeship incentives affect our industry.
As Manager of the Silverdale Academy and a member of Jobs and Skills Council with Skills Insight, I would like to draw your attention to a briefing paper that has been prepared by Skills Insight in relation to Industry Apprenticeship incentives changes which affects the Horse Industry.
The Australian Government has announced these changes to the Australian Apprenticeship Incentives system, and they came into effect on the 1st January 2026.
The Australian Apprentice Priority List is occupation-based. Only occupations identified as experiencing a national skills shortage through Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation Shortage List are included
Horse trainers and Farriers are included on the Priority List due to demonstrated evidence of national shortage, and will see potentially reduced support.
Horse breeding related occupations have not been included!
The survey in an opportunity to outline how the recent changes to these apprenticeship incentives affect our industry and is intended to capture:
impacts on your workforce
gaps in incentives
evidence of shortage
difficulty attracting/retaining apprentices or workers
why current settings don’t fit our industry
This input will be used by Skills Insight to provide advice to government.
It should highlighted that Horse Breeding is currently listed as no shortage across the Country. By definition they say that “Research has not identified any significant difficulty filling vacancies. For some occupations, a lack of evidence overall will, by default, result in an occupation being rated as ‘No Shortage’” As breeders in the industry would note – this is clearly not the case. There is a desperate shortage. The only way to change the outcome is for industry to assist in filling out the survey below and help provide real data.
Please tell us how these changes will impact you by completing this survey before 30th January.
https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/occupation-shortage/occupation-shortage-list
If we all work together to lobby for change, this will also assist in future Government Funding and Grant opportunities in the future. Building a robust and qualified workforce.
Partnering with us:
If you would like to be involved with supporting Silverdale Academy in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Without the support of industry, we would not be making the impact we are in developing our next generation and filling the employment gap.
