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Ilka is a member of the Royal College Of Veterinary Surgeons and puts her varied experience and different perspectives to good use in her training methods. Ilka is determined to do what is best for the horse to maximise wellbeing. Visit Ilka on Sunday 18th September at Saint Wendred’s in Newmarket.
1. How and when did you come to Newmarket?
Stéphane (Ilka’s husband) is to blame, I came to stay with him for part of the summer of 2008. I was in my final year in vet school, riding out in the mornings, seeing practice in the afternoons.
2. All-time favourite racehorse? My all time favourite horse is Ferdinand. I guess it’s a childhood thing, everyone obsessed with racing can remember the first horse they consciously watched win the Derby. In my case, this was the Kentucky Derby in 1986, Bill Shoemaker up and trained by one of the all time greats Charlie Whittingham. We were living in California at the time and one year later I was at Santa Anita when Ferdinand won the Breeder’s Cup Classic beating Alysheba in an unbelievable stretch drive. It was a surreal atmosphere; this is how you get hooked for life! Ferdinand’s life ended in a disgraceful way, a real wake up call for our industry. So when one of my four legged protégées is starting a second career decisions are not on a whim.
3. If you could swap jobs for one day what would you do?
I’m living the dream already but one day as a simultaneous interpreter at the United Nations would be an experience
4. What is your hobby outside of racing?
I don’t have much time for other things, I used to be a good skier and loved mountaineering
5. What is the highlight/best thing about the Newmarket Open Weekend?
That it’s for charity
6. What is Newmarket’s hidden gem in your opinion?
Saint Wendred’s well – ( The well was an ancient water source which became Christianised into St. Wendred’s well because of the restorative power of the water used for walking horses into, it’s a fitting link with Ilka’s veterinary skills and natural horsemanship.)
7. What is your favourite moment on a racecourse?
Winning
8. What is the biggest challenge facing racing?
Poor prize money
9. What are you most looking forward to in the flat season?
Debut of my two year olds
10. What is your favourite ice-cream flavour?
Lemon gelato, I would eat it every day if I lived in Italy
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