ITBA Next Generation Internship Scheme opens applications for 2025/2026

ITBA’s Internship Scheme was established in 2011 with the main aim to develop skills and knowledge of young enthusiasts in the thoroughbred industry, and has shown itself to be a proven platform to help individuals carve out a successful career in the Irish Bloodstock industry.

Past interns have worked at sales companies, racecourses, leading stud farms and industry bodies, and have gone on to have very successful careers in the industry.

2024 saw the introduction of the Junior Internship Scheme, where work experience on stud farms was offered to Transition Year students who are looking to gain experience in the industry and develop their interest. Applications for the 2025/2026 internships are open for both the ITBA Next Generation Internship and the Junior Internship.

ITBA Internship 2025

ITBA’s Internship will be a year long, fully paid internship offering successful candidates invaluable experience working in two-three different industry areas. The placements will begin in September ahead of the sales season and will be divided into three placements as follows:

Placement 1: September 2025 – December 2025

Placement 2: January 2026 – May 2026

Placement 3: June 2026 – August 2026

There is a degree of flexibility for the successful candidate and dates can be adjusted if needed. Each employer will be required to appraise their intern throughout the relevant semester and report back to ITBA at the end of the period in question. In addition the intern will be required to post a blog in industry publications and work on short video projects during each placement, designed to give exposure to both intern and employer.

 

ITBA Junior Internship 2025

ITBA’s Junior Internship will be targeted at secondary school students in Transition Year and is for ages over 16. The aim is to link students with a stud farm in their locality where they can spend their work experience. A short Basic Handling course will be offered to those to give them confidence going into a new environment, as well as continuous development of skills and knowledge from the stud farm team.

There will also be several opportunities to shadow ITBA’s Next Generation Committee during sales days, race meetings and other industry events.

Applications for both the 2025 Internship Schemes will open on Monday 14^th April 2025, with interviews being held in May/June. Application forms and full terms can be found below and applications must be submitted to Nextgen@itba.ie before 5pm on Friday 16th May 2025. For further information or to request an application form please contact ITBA HQ on 045 877 543 or email Hannah on hmarks@itba.ie.

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ITBA Internship Application Form (ages 18-30)

ITBA Junior Internship Application Form (Transition Year Students)

Terms & Conditions

Placement details are outlined below but are subject to change depending on the intern and placement

• Placement 1: Monday 8^th Sept 2025 – Friday 19^th Dec 2025
• Placement 2: Monday 5^th Jan 2026 – Friday 29^th May 2026
• Placement 3: Tuesday 2^th June 2026 – Friday 28^th Aug 2026

ITBA Internship criteria:

• ages 18-30, under the age of 30 as of Jan 1^st 2025
• The following should be included in your applications:
  • Completed Application form
  • CV with minimum of two references
  • Cover letter stating why you should be selected for the internship, Career ambitions, and area of interest

ITBA Junior Internship criteria:

• ages over 16 for their placement dates
• The following should be included in your applications:
  • Completed Application form
  • Cover letter stating why you should be selected for the internship, what type of work you would like to gain experience in
  • Parent/Guardian signature