WinR Mentoring Programme
WINR’s upcoming Mentoring Programme will connect women with experienced mentors across the Irish racing industry to support their career growth. Over four months, participants will benefit from one-to-one meetings and a practical experience day, gaining guidance, insights, and hands-on knowledge to help them thrive in every aspect of the industry.
REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW COMPLETED FOR THE 2026 MENTORING PROGRAMME.
Sign up here
Thank you for your interest in the WINR Mentoring Programme 2026, places for this programme are now allocated but please leave your name and details and we can contact you if a space becomes available.
If you have any other mentoring query please email winrmentoring@gmail.com
Testimonials
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"OPEN TO DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES"
“The main challenge for me during the Job Shadowing Day was to be able to talk to people that I had not met before as I would consider myself to be quite shy. However, I quickly learned that by meeting new people I was getting the opportunity to gain new knowledge. Furthermore, I was practicing my communication and social skills by talking to new people all the time. This also helped me to be open to different perspectives.”
- MENTEE
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"POSITIVE EXPERIENCE"
“I had a very positive experience throughout the mentorship programme ,I felt supported and that I could speak to my mentor, at any stage, she was so generous with her time and expertise.”
- MENTEE
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"PROGRAMME HAS EXPANDED MY NETWORK"
“Having someone who is non biased and completely in your corner is a powerful thing when trying to progress in this industry. This programme has expanded my network and I have made contacts that I wouldn't have made otherwise.”
- MENTEE
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"INSPIRING"
“I really enjoyed the zoom call with the other mentees. I thought it was really inspiring hearing about everyone’s progress & plans.”
- MENTEE
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"ENRICHED BY THE EXPERIENCE"
“I truly enjoyed being part of the WINR Pilot Mentoring Programme and feel I probably got as much out of it, if not more, than my mentee! It was a mutual journey of discovery, understanding and development that was beneficial to us both, resulting in us both being enriched by the experience.”
- MENTOR
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"GREAT INITIATIVE"
“I really found the whole experience of being a mentor on the WINR pilot programme personally very rewarding. It’s been a great opportunity to assist someone that is now in a similar position to where I was 15 years ago and provide any suggestions or guidance that I felt could help my mentee along. We all need someone that we can chat to about our careers every now and again and meeting with someone impartial that works in the same industry is a bonus. I think the programme is a great initiative and I look forward to seeing it grow in the future.”
- MENTOR
F.A.Q.s
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a wise and trusted advisor
a brain to pick, an ear to listen, a push in the right direction
the offering of advice, information or guidance by a person with useful skills, expertise or experience for another’s personal or professional development
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Focus can be on learning, personal or career development
Person being mentored is in charge of their own learning
Both participants are volunteers
It is about listening, learning and providing feedback
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Develops a trusted relationship between mentor and mentee
Motivation and encouragement towards agreed aims
Transfers knowledge and experience from one person to another
Confidence building
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A person who wants to:
Develop in their current role
Learn more about their career options
Increase self-awareness
Learn about the industry they work in
Develop their network
Set goals and play your part in organising meetings with your mentor as well as completing any agreed tasks or actions for your development
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A person who is:
Available
Willing to invest time and effort
Experienced and reputable
Knowledgeable about the industry
A good listener and confidential
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Sign up when the programme opens early November.
Attend a zoom workshop briefing
Mentors and mentees are matched and introduced by e mail
A mentoring agreement with the process, ethics and template is signed by both parties
Mentoring meetings are recommended to be in-person, but can be done by zoom/phone
A zoom check in meeting will be held with all participants during the programme
Mentors and mentees can agree to cease the relationship at any stage
The success of the programme will be reviewed after the completion date
Mentors
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.
NESSA JOYCE
WINR Mentor
My career in the horse industry started like many, with a love for horses and I am lucky to have converted that love into rewarding jobs in the US and Ireland. I was fortunate to have unofficial mentors along the way, who guided and helped me achieve my goals. Their assistance was instrumental in my career and I am keen to do the same for another young person by joining the WINR mentoring programme.
My career began as an Equine Studies Co-ordinator and lecturer in Dublin, then six years in Lexington, Kentucky with Fasig-Tipton Bloodstock Auctioneers as Selected Sales Co-ordinator. Back in Ireland I worked with Horse Racing Ireland (Racecourse Division) for eight years in the following roles, hospitality, operations, management to Racing and Operations Manager at Leopardstown Racecourse. In 2015, I took up a new role as Manager of the Irish European Breeders’ Fund who provide additional prize-money to Irish racing though generous contributions from Irish Stallion farms.
