ANNA HEALY
Mentor Coach & Advisor

Anna Healy is a business coach and mentor. Her group mentoring programmes focus on mindset which is key to achieving business success. A qualified and experienced Life, Business and Leadership Coach, Anna has over 20 years’ experience in coaching people on how to lead a successful and fulfilling life and business. She works with leaders on building their mentoring programmes and provides training to teams on mentoring and coaching skills. Anna has been the Mentorship Officer for Network Ireland since 2021.

Click here for Anna’s website.

FIONA DOWLING
WINR Mentoring Programme Lead

Fiona is from Co. Kerry and has previous experience of mentoring from the UK Women in Racing programme and the WINR mentoring pilot programme in 2022. She has worked in the thoroughbred industry for 20 years and is a committee member of WINR. Fiona is a graduate of the Irish National Stud course and the University of Liverpool Horseracing MBA, her experience includes working for trainers in Ireland, the UK, America, New Zealand, and Australia. She works as Programme Development and Quality Manager at RACE Academy in Kildare.

RACHEL ANNAN
WINR Mentor

Rachel has over 20 years’ experience in the international horseracing industry having ridden in point to points while at college and employed as a work rider in racing yards in Ireland, Newmarket, Dubai and New Zealand. Rachel completed her PhD in 2023 at University of Bristol School of Veterinary Medicine, while working on a racehorse welfare project and developed a welfare assessment protocol for measuring racehorse welfare. This welfare assessment has been trialled by industry assessors to gather population level racehorse welfare data. The welfare assessment has also been used to monitor the welfare of Military Working horses from the Household Cavalry and racehorses in Hong Kong. Rachel is currently an Equine Technologist at CAFRE and a postdoctoral researcher at University College Dublin (UCD).

REGINA BYRNE
WINR Mentor

Regina Byrne is the General Manager of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO), where she leads with passion and a steadfast commitment to representing and supporting racehorse owners across Ireland. In her role, Regina oversees the day-to-day operations of the association, advancing owners’ rights, enhancing prizemoney, and ensuring that voices from all corners of the racing community are heard at the highest levels of the sport. Under her leadership, AIRO has grown into a dynamic and influential body – providing vital benefits such as public liability insurance and strong advocacy within industry decision-making forums. Regina is known not only for her strategic vision but also for her genuine dedication to strengthening and celebrating ownership in Irish racing, making her a powerful and inspiring figure within the equestrian world.

CIARA DEVITT
WINR Mentor

Ciara Devitt is the Education Initiatives Manager at Godolphin Ireland. She is a graduate of the BSc. Equine Science (Hons) from the University of Limerick, and more recently the MSc. Education and Training Management (eLearning) from DCU. Her current role involves the management of all Godolphin Ireland’s educational activities from primary to tertiary level, coordination of the Godolphin Ireland Employee Development Programme ‘Race For Excellence’, and promotion of industry careers.

CLODAGH FLEMING
WINR Mentor

Clodagh Fleming is the Business Development Manager at Horse Racing Ireland, responsible for partnerships, sponsorships, and non race day business across all four HRI owned racecourses. Her role focuses on increasing hospitality attendance and maximising revenue through strategic initiatives. Before joining HRI, she worked with Levy Ireland, the catering partner for major venues including Leopardstown, Fairyhouse, and The Curragh. Clodagh also brings 17 years’ experience managing her family’s pharmacy chain, equipping her with strong business and leadership skills. Her combined commercial and operational expertise continues to drive her success in the dynamic racecourse environment.

NICOLA GRIFFIN & BALLYLINCH STUD TEAM
WINR Mentors

Collectively we manage a broad range of administrative and operational responsibilities essential to a successful breeding operation. Our experience is varied and includes booking stallion nominations, maintaining accurate breeding and service records, handling registrations, and supporting accounts and invoicing processes. We are also involved in marketing activities, assisting with promotional materials and communications, as well as procurement, coordinating veterinary supplies and services to support daily operations. Working across these areas has given us a strong understanding of stud office workflows, compliance requirements, and the importance of accuracy, communication, and organisation in a fast-paced environment. Through this mentorship, we are keen to share practical, hands-on knowledge across the different functions of a stud office, helping mentees build confidence, industry awareness, and transferable skills applicable across the breeding and bloodstock sector.

L-R: Nicola Griffin, Stephanie Kennedy & Jane Hobson

NESSA JOYCE
WINR Mentor

Nessa’s career in the horse industry began with a love for horses, which she has been fortunate to turn into rewarding roles in the US and Ireland. Guided by supportive mentors, she developed a strong foundation and is now eager to give back through the WINR mentoring programme. She started as an Equine Studies Co-ordinator and lecturer in Dublin, before spending six years in Lexington, Kentucky with Fasig-Tipton as Selected Sales Co-ordinator. Returning to Ireland, she worked with Horse Racing Ireland, progressing to Racing and Operations Manager at Leopardstown Racecourse. Since 2015, she has served as Manager of the Irish European Breeders’ Fund, supporting Irish racing through additional prize funding.

BERNIE LEADON BOLGER
WINR Mentor

Bernie is a former flat jockey with many years of experience in various roles across racing and breeding. She runs a horse racing syndicate and has completed the Mental Health First Aid course. Bernie breeds Thoroughbreds and Connemara ponies and works with a therapy Connemara, teaching actors for film roles and facilitating hospital visits. She now specialises in painting horses and creating equine photo art internationally and is currently part of the media team for the Supreme Arabian Horse World Championships. Drawing on her extensive industry experience and knowledge of its highs and challenges, Bernie is passionate about giving back and supporting others in the field that has given her so much.

HANNAH MARKS
WINR Mentor

Hannah studied Animal Science (Equine) at UCD, completing work experience with Shadwell in Kentucky and undertaking a genetics study for her final year project. After graduating, she worked on stud farms before securing a role as Pedigree Research Assistant with Shadwell in the UK. While in England, she learned about the Godolphin Flying Start programme and successfully gained a place in 2015. During the programme, she worked with Keeneland Sales, Arrowfield Stud, Dubai Racing Club and Goffs, alongside practical rotations with yearlings, mares, foals and stallions. Following graduation, she spent four years with Goffs as Digital Marketing Executive, later joining Equilume before taking up her current role as Education Coordinator with ITBA.

VICKI MCWEY
WINR Mentor

Being born and bred into a racing family, Vicki McWey has been lucky enough to make a career in the sport she loves for the last 30 years. A proud mother of four, she balances a busy family life with her full-time role as Supervisor within the Racing Department of Horse Racing Ireland. Growing up in the industry gave her a deep appreciation for its traditions, challenges and great community spirit. In her role, she works extensively with owners, trainers and breeders to help ensure the smooth operation and continued success of the sport. Collaboration and communication are central to her work, liaising closely with other racing jurisdictions, sales companies, racing bodies and third-party organisations to uphold the integrity, efficiency and reputation of Irish racing nationally and internationally. The department oversees owner and racing colour registrations, naming of all thoroughbreds resident in Ireland, partnership and syndicate registrations, horses in her care for licensed trainers, and all racing entries, declarations and jockey bookings.

MARY NUGENT
WINR Mentor

Mary has built a diverse and rewarding career in the racing industry, dedicating more than 20 years in a range of sectors. Her experience includes exercise rider, barn manager, and overseeing travel logistics, giving her a comprehensive understanding of racehorse management from the stable yard to the racecourse. She has developed a strong reputation for attention to detail, organisation, and an unwavering commitment to horse welfare. Mary currently serves as Head of Veterinary and Horse Care for Gordon Elliott Racing, where she maintains the highest standards of equine health and welfare. Her responsibilities include managing the medicine register to ensure full regulatory compliance and overseeing post-surgery rehabilitation programmes in collaboration with veterinary teams. She has completed the RACE Racing Secretary Course, holds a QQI Level 5 qualification in Human Resources, and serves on the Horse Welfare Committee with Horse Racing Ireland, supporting best practice across Irish racing.

JOAN TYNER
WINR Mentor

Coming from a racing family, Joan Tyner has been surrounded by horses and the racing industry all her life. She holds a degree in International Business Management and has completed both the Irish National Stud Course and the BHA Graduate Programme.
Joan has gained diverse experience working as a Bloodstock Executive and Assistant to the Executive Director at Goffs and on stud farms in the United States and Australia, where she served as Assistant Foaling Manager and helped prepare yearlings for sales.
Her international experience includes extensive work on the sales circuit, developing connections across the global bloodstock community.
Joan currently serves as PR & Communications Executive at Rathbarry Stud, managing media, communications, and client relations.