“There are so many of us that have been through Dromoland at some stage in our careers and almost without fail - everyone will say it’s some of their fondest memories working for Gerry. I wouldn’t be doing what I am for a living if it hadn’t been for him. I suspect that’s true of a lot of us.”

Killian McStay (Dromoland Farm 2011-2013)

Manager Oaklawn Stud Ireland

“Gerry was not only a mentor but a friend to many. He made me feel right at home when I landed at Dromoland in 2016. He was a true gentleman. He had such a love for horses and a passion for teaching young people. I personally learned so much while I was at Dromoland Farm. I can safely say I was one of the lucky ones to have known and worked with Gerry Dilger.

Thank you Gerry for the experience and the most memorable year of my life.”

Laura Bennett (2016)

Yard foreman at Irish National Stud

“The day I walked into Dromoland Farm was a very lucky one! I certainly would not be where I am today without Gerry’s help and encouragement over the five years that I spent there. He had such a natural eye for a horse, it was impossible not to learn just by being around him. Even after I left Dromoland and came home to Ireland Gerry got a great kick out of any success I had. A great mentor and a great friend.”

Paula Flannery (1998 - 2003)

“It’s hard to put into few words what impact Gerry had on me and my career journey in the business. I think everyone who met through Dromoland Farm all have an unbreakable bond that we all formed through Gerry. Not only did I admire him and everything that he achieved, but respected him so much as a person. Working for Gerry was the best thing I ever did. He believed in me and my ability and gave me so many opportunities to develop and become the confident horse woman I am today. He encouraged and taught me and everyone who worked for him. He thrived on seeing individuals do the best that they could and the love he had for the horse was undeniable. I learned so much from him and he will forever be my greatest mentor.”

Erin Rogers (Dromoland Farm 2017-2020)

Farm Manager, Norevale Farm.

“Having started part time during the summer of 1999 at Dromoland Farm and worked the September sale, I witnessed Gerry’s first “million dollar baby” sale for a Deputy Minister colt out of Isle Go West. This was a huge achievement for Gerry, Bridie, Quincy and all the team at that time selling for $1.8M. Gerry agreed to sponsor my visa for the summer of 2000 and I ended up staying with him for two years. While there I gained valuable experience with Gerry and the team prepping yearlings, foaling mares and getting mares in foal. This is where I truly learned and improved my horsemanship skills. It was difficult to leave, but my time at Dromoland catapulted me to greater things. After leaving Gerry I became Assistant Farm Manager at Ned Evans Spring Hill Farm in Virginia. Later I travelled the globe from Argentina to New Zealand and Japan, until I eventually settled back in Ireland, now managing Godolphin’s Ballysheehan and Victor Studs.”

Willie Brogan (Ballysheehan & Victor Studs, Cashel, Co. Tipperary)

Farm Manager

“I cannot begin to put into words how much I owe Gerry, for the opportunities he gave me. He was an outstanding horseman and the most generous man you could meet for giving time to help young people. From the day I arrived at Dromoland, he never stopped believing in me and is the sole reason that I got accepted onto Godolphin Flying Start. Without his belief, I would most definitely not be where I am today.

Since 2014, I have been fortunate enough to travel the world in the racing industry, and it didn’t matter where I was, somebody would fondly regale a story of Dromoland and Gerry Dilger. There are an endless list of people in the industry worldwide, thriving on the wisdom that Gerry imparted. He had a wonderful knack for spotting potential in both equine & human talent. A rare ability to put faith in young people and know that they would reward him for his time down the line. The best boss I have had to-date – his ability to stretch and challenge you, yet give comfort that he always had your back, resulted in countless people developing their horsemanship under his tutelage.

Working at Dromoland was never just a job, it was embracing an extended family.

Mentors like Gerry are rare, out in the lunge pit with the Ralph Lauren sleeves rolled up, telling us “you can’t buy those hands in Walmart”, but I couldn’t think of a more fitting way than this scholarship, to ensure Gerry’s legacy lives on.”

Emma Pugsley (Dromoland 2014)

Nominations, Coolmore Australia

“Dromoland Farm was a home away from home. Gerry was not only an incredible horseman, but a tremendous teacher and leader to all who spent time on the farm. Gerry took great pride in educating and training the next generation. What we learned went far beyond horsemanship and breeding skills. He helped us all grow as individuals through encouragement and support. Gerry was a very humble man who put all his achievements down to luck. However, ask anyone who worked for him and they’ll say it was down to his hard working attitude, passion and an extraordinary eye for a horse. He was a leader who led by example. He was extremely hands-on on the farm and I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to learn from him.”

Sylvia O'Donnell (Dromoland Farm 2017)

Shipping, BBA Ireland

"Squeezing the meaning of the year I spent working for Gerry at Dromoland into just a few sentences won't do it justice but I'll try anyway. That year was one of the best years of my life. From the beginning I received training and mentorship in so many facets of an operating stud farm on a level that can be rare in this industry. Gerry's immense generosity, his wonderful skill for pinhooking and an amazing experience that allowed me to prep an eventual Kentucky Derby winner are just some of the things that I will be eternally grateful for."

Carol Kelly (Dromoland Farm 2014-2015)

Stud Hand, Rheinwood Pastoral (Australia)

“I spent a summer in Dromoland in 2015 and needless to say I loved every minute of it. When you hear anyone speak about Gerry, it’s always in legendary terms, simply because he was a legend. I’ve been back to Kentucky every November since 2015 and Gerry was always there for a word of advice and support when it was needed. As he used to say himself about a good horse, he was simply “Different gravy”

Tom Fogarty

Nominations Sales Executive, Kildangan Stud

“Working at Dromoland Farm set me on a career path in the Equine Nutrition Industry. Gerry took the time to teach me many skills in my early days at Dromoland, but it was Gerry’s willingness to help someone starting out that left a lasting impression on me. Gerry encouraged me to pursue my interest in nutrition and was hugely supportive when I commenced work in this field.”

Joanne Hurley M.Agr. SC, (Dromoland Farm 1999 – 2002)

Irish Country Manager, GAIN Equine Nutrition, Ireland

“Gerry Dilger was a brilliant horseman and absolute gentleman. I have nothing but admiration for Gerry in how he carved out a career in the industry. From completing the Irish National Stud Course and climbing the ladder to own and manage Dromoland Farm is incredible. The number of people that have gone on to long and successful careers in the thoroughbred industry having spent time at Dromoland Farm speaks volumes about the kind man Gerry was. Gerry’s work ethic and enthusiasm in the barn was infectious, he got the best out of his staff and would do anything for those that were willing to learn and to progress in their careers. His eye for a horse and attention to detail in caring for them was second to none, you don’t raise and sell back-to-back Kentucky Derby winners by chance. Gerry’s ability to pass on his knowledge and teach others has helped so many of us and the scholarship is a fitting tribute to his legacy, I know he would be very proud. I will always be grateful that I can call Gerry both a mentor and friend.”

Nick Cope

Manager at Stanley Lodge Stud