News & Events

Gerald Leigh Lectures 2024

Tattersalls Ltd
12th June 2024

Optimising Youngstock Growth and Development

The Gerald Leigh Lectures were once again held at the Sales Paddocks, Newmarket on the 12th June 2024 by kind permission of Tattersalls.

Gerald Leigh was a prominent owner breeder of racehorses based at Eydon Hall Farm in Northamptonshire. He established himself as a leading international breeder by developing strong families with a small but select broodmare band.

On the racecourse, he achieved international success with Classic and Group 1 wins in England, Ireland, France, America, Canada and Australia. Amongst these victories, Markofdistinction delivered a first Group 1 success for jockey Frankie Dettori in the 1990 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. His homebred Barathea, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile in a course record, was named “European Horse of the Year” at the 1994 Cartier Awards. Among his commercial successes in the sales ring, his broodmare Korveya was sold for a world-record $7 million in 1998.

The BCET are incredibly grateful for the continued support from his Charitable Trust.

This year’s theme was entitled “Optimising Youngstock Growth and Development” which attracted a large audience to hear some prominent and distinguished guest speakers discuss some very relevant topics.

Refreshments and a delicious lunch were provided by Crown Caterers.

Farrier Travel Scholarship

Beaufort Cottage Farrier Travel Scholarship

Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust in conjunction with Simon Curtis would like to offer newly graduated, UK based farriers a unique opportunity to spend 4-6 weeks with Aaron Gygax in Brittnau, Switzerland.

This large progressive specialist farriery also works closely with the neighbouring equine clinic. The successful candidate will gain invaluable experience in all aspects of remedial farriery in both TB and Sport-horses. We envisage this to be an excellent opportunity for farriers intending to take apprentice examinations and priority will be given to those farriers who have applied to sit these exams, but any farrier with at least two years post graduate experience will be eligible to apply.

The scholarship will cover reasonable travel expenses and a living wage for the 4-6 week placement, accommodation will be provided on site.

Farriers wanting to apply should do so by emailing a copy of their CV, along with a covering letter and a letter of recommendation from a mentor. Applicants will then be invited to an interview either in person or via Zoom before a successful candidate is selected.

All applications and further enquires please contact the Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust beaufortcottageet@gmail.com

Application deadline 15 August 2024.

BCET Summer Scholarship Presentations 2023

On Friday 8th December Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust trustees welcomed our two successful veterinary student scholars, Alex Wylie (Liverpool) and Eilidh MacDonald (Liverpool) to Newmarket to present their research to a group of clinicians and researchers.

They both gave excellent presentations and it was clear that a huge amount of effort had gone into their research and projects.

Their presentations can be found below.

If you are interested in applying for future years please see our Grant and Awards page for further details.

Alex Wylie Presentation.   Eilidh MacDonald presentation

Gerald Leigh Memorial Lectures 2023

Tattersalls, Newmarket
7th June 2023

Enhancing Horse Safety in Training and Racing

The Gerald Leigh Memorial Lectures were held at the Sales Paddocks, Newmarket on the 7th June 2023 by kind permission of Tattersalls.

Gerald Leigh was a prominent owner breeder of racehorses based at Eydon Hall Farm in Northamptonshire. He established himself as a leading international breeder by developing strong families with a small but select broodmare band.

On the racecourse, he achieved international success with Classic and Group 1 wins in England, Ireland, France, America, Canada and Australia. Amongst these victories, Markofdistinction delivered a first Group 1 success for jockey Frankie Dettori in the 1990 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. His homebred Barathea, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile in a course record, was named “European Horse of the Year” at the 1994 Cartier Awards. Among his commercial successes in the sales ring, his broodmare Korveya was sold for a world-record $7 million in 1998.

The BCET are incredibly grateful for the continued support from his Charitable Trust.

This year’s theme was entitled “Enhancing Horse Safety in Training and Racing” with some high class renowned speakers from across the globe.

This group of lectures brings together international experts in risk management, racehorse practice, othropaedics and cardiology with senior trainers to examine current knowledge and recent developments in prevention of limb fracture, arrhythmia and exercise-associated sudden death. Practical steps towards reducing prevalence of fracture and emergency care to limit further limb damage are outlined while potential roles for AI in diagnosis of cardiac rhythm disorders are explained. Together this set of lectures provides a comprehensive view of what can be done now and in the future to enhance horse safety in training and racing.

Refreshments and a scrumptious lunch were provided by Crown Caterers.

Scholars Research Publication

The trustees of Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust were excited to hear that another scholar has had her research published.

Martine McCann, a University of Glasgow student applied for a scholarship and was successful in 2021.

Her project entitled ‘Genetic diversity and geographic distribution of Theileria equi: Croatia, a European case study’ was published in Parasites & Vectors.

Once again we are thrilled that these students achieve excellent accolades.

Publication of a Scholars research

Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust were delighted to learn that 2021 Summer Scholar William Sage’s research was published in the Equine Veterinary Journal at the end of last year.

William, a student of the University of Bristol, was successful in being awarded a grant in 2021 to research the “Heart rate variability during high-speed treadmill exercise and recovery in Thoroughbred racehorses presented for poor performance”.

Please click on the link below to view the article.

BCET Summer Scholarship Presentations 2022

On Monday 5th December Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust trustees welcomed our two successful veterinary student scholars, Alice Webb (Liverpool) and Jessica Wilcox (Glasgow) to Newmarket to present their research to a group of clinicians and researchers.

Also joining us to give a presentation was a successful application for clinical research, Dr Anne Kahler (Royal Veterinary College).

The research was well presented and thorough and gave lots of opportunity for discussion.

Their presentations can be found below.

If you are interested in applying for future years please see our Grant and Awards page for further details.

Gerald Leigh Memorial Lectures 2022

Tattersalls, Newmarket
7th June 2022

Reproductive Efficiency in the Thoroughbred

A day of lectures in memory of Gerald Leigh was held on the 7th June 2022 at  Tattersalls in Newmarket. BCET organises these lectures on behalf of the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust in recognition of Mr Leigh’s achievements as a racehorse owner and breeder and his passion for scientific knowledge and the welfare of the horses he loved.

The theme of the 2022 Gerald Leigh Memorial lectures was “Thoroughbred Reproductive Efficiency”. We were very lucky to have four world renowned international speakers on this topic.

Tattersalls very kindly hosted us for the day and provided an excellent lunch for all.

https://issuu.com/anderson-co/docs/eut_78_issuu/68?fr=sNTRiNzUzODQ2MjY

https://trainermagazine.com/european-trainer-articles/gerald-leigh-memorial-lectures-2022

Gerald Leigh Memorial Lectures 2021

9th June 2021

This annual lecture was unfortunately once again disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic and we were unable to meet in person.

Supported by the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust we were able to honour Mr Leigh’s passion for the Thoroughbred horse and its health and welfare by recording two lectures from experts in the equine field, both followed by a short discussion section.