The 2026 Les Young Scholarship is now open for applications, offering an emerging professional in the Australian Thoroughbred industry the chance to enhance their skills through an international education program at The National Stud in the UK. This prestigious scholarship honors Les Young, a respected industry mentor, by funding a tailored program focused on foaling, breeding, bloodstock husbandry, and equine management. The scholarship covers all travel and accommodation costs and is delivered through the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program, which supports research and development to boost the Australian Thoroughbred industry’s sustainability and competitiveness.

Eligible applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 to 30 with at least two years’ experience in Thoroughbred breeding, bloodstock, spelling, or racing, and have been with their current employer for at least 12 months. Applications, which require a written statement, resume, and references, open on March 26, 2026, and close on May 1, 2026. One scholarship is awarded annually, providing a unique opportunity for professional growth and international exposure in the Thoroughbred sector.