Available scholarships:

Irish National Stud Scholarship

The foundation has partnered with the Irish National Stud to annually award a placement on the world renowned stud educational course. You are eligible to apply if you have multiple years of experience working on a Kentucky Thoroughbred Horse Farm, or if you have completed the Kentucky Equine Managment Internship (KEMI) program.  

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Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Experience Scholarship

We offer one year placements on prominent Kentucky horse farms for Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation award winners who are graduates of University College Dublin, University of Limerick, the Irish National Stud, CAFRE Enniskillen, and Kildalton Agricultural College equine programs.

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Irish National Stud Scholarship for an Irish Citizen

We are honored to partner with the Irish National Stud and provide a scholarship to an Irish citizen, residing in Ireland, for this world-renowned breeding course. To learn more about the eligibility and application process please apply via the below link directly to the national stud website. If selected, more information will be provided on how to apply for our scholarship.

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"When you hear anyone speak about Gerry, it’s always in legendary terms, simply because he was a legend."
- Tom Fogarty
   Ballysheehan Stud, Stud Groom.

Latest News & Events

20 November 2023

From Ireland to the Kentucky Experience, three scholarship recipients announced

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14 September 2023

Luis Ettedgui and Grace Hamilton awarded 2024 Irish National Stud scholarships

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About Us

The Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship was established in memory of Gerry Dilger (1958-2020), by his family and closest friends. Gerry was a native of Co. Clare, Ireland, and came to America at the young age of 19, to pursue his passion in the horse industry. In 1994, he established Dromoland Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, and had a successful career as a horseman, breeding and consigning thoroughbred horses. Over the next 26 years, he mentored young people who had the same dreams as he did.

He took in over 65 young people during his career as his own, helping them gain hands-on experience, sharing knowledge and skills to be successful, and teaching them how to be a respected horseman. He instilled in them the values he had himself; hard work, honesty, expertise, kindness, generosity, loyalty, and above all, a good spirit. Gerry was loved and well- respected in the horse community, and we hope to honor him by continuing his legacy helping young people with their careers by giving them a “leg-up.”

Gerry recieves the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association 2017 Wild Geese Award from Jimmy Lenehan
Always Dreaming, winner of the 2017 Kentucky Derby, bred by Gerry Dilger & Mike Ryan