Meet Our Team
John O'Connor
John O’Connor MVB MRCVS has been a pivotal member of Ballylinch Stud for over 30 years. Initially the stud manager and resident vet, John was appointed as Ballylinch’s managing director at the turn of the millennium. An inductee to the ITBA Hall of Fame, a former chairman and current council member of the ITBA, a member of the HRI Pattern Committee and the chairman of the Irish EBF, John is one of the most respected figures in the bloodstock and racing industry.
OUR TEAM
Ray Doyle
Nevelin Neykov
Declan Foy
Pat Shanahan
Ben Nolan
Lindsey Linane
Imogen Henderson
The Ballylinch Team
Stallion Team
From left to right: Stephen Cox, Niall Radford, Ray Doyle (Manager)
Mare Team
From left to right: Andrew Power, Derek Smith, Lorraine McElligott, Nevelin Neykov (Resident Mares Manager), Jennifer Breslin (Resident Mares Assistant Manager), Petko Petkov, Aimee Donohoe, Holly Nixon, Declan Foy (Visiting Mares Manager)
inset: Chris Westropp Bennet, Rachel Nevin and Zlati Petkov
Pre-training Team
From left to right: Sarah Phelan, Julio Lourenco, Emma Carton, James Harrison, Orla Daley, Mick Fitzgerald, Pat Shanahan (Manager)
inset: Ben Nolan (Assistant Manager), Darragh Collier
Yearling Team
From left to right: Patrick Hamilton, Lindsey Lenane (Manager), Cian Drennan, Cass Sadler, Ethan Blackmore, Emily Asprey, Piotr Czerwinski, Hayley Rooney, Paschal Lawlor
Ground Staff & Catering
From left to right: Imelda Dillon, Walter Walsh, Breda Quinn
inset: Paddy Daly, Rob Anderson
Philip Blake
Ronan Wade
Jack Shanahan
Castlemartin Team
From left to right: Darren Ryall, Michael Barrett, Ronan Wade (Yearling Manager), Philip Blake (General Manager), Joe Hanly, Jack Shanahan (Mare Manager), Tomas Lelys, Kat Dempsey, Nicola McDonald, Jennifer Doyle
inset: Shannon Dempsey, Ger Houlihan, Connor Seymour, Agniezka Micor, Ethan Cullen, Valerie O’Brien
Join the Team
We recruit people all year round for seasonal and full-time positions.
Roles involve the daily care of foals, yearlings, mares and riding out. There will also be opportunities to assist with foaling and coverings and opportunities to attend bloodstock sales.
To apply, please forward your CV and cover letter to
Alumni
There have been many former employees of Ballylinch Stud who have gone on to achieve success throughout the bloodstock and racing industries including but not limited to:
Nick Bell
Manager, Haras de Meautry
Marguerite Bellenger
Assistant, Arqana
Peter Berglar
Owner, Stonereath Stud
James Byrne
Manager, Ballygallon Stud
Mark Byrne
Nominations, Coolmore
Leo Dooley
Norevale Farm
Matthieu Gouesnard
Haras d’Ombreville
Denis Griffin
Yearling Manager, Vinery Stud
Thomas Leffray
Bloodstock, Arqana
John McCormack
Bloodstock Agent
Stephen O’Connor
Director, Go Bloodstock
Jonathon Smithers
Manager, Car Colston Stud
Kevin Sommerville
Racing Manager, Drakenstein Stud