MEET THE TEAM

BVM&S, MRCVS

David completed his veterinary training in 1986 at the R(D)SVS, Edinburgh, and has been with Donnington Grove Veterinary Group since 1992, becoming a partner in 1994.

David has experience in all aspects of equine practice, though his work now largely entails sports medicine, encompassing the investigation of poor performance, lameness and respiratory disease.

David’s experience and expertise is widely recognised having been invited to lecture on musculoskeletal and respiratory disorders of the racehorse on a number of occasions. David is currently the senior veterinary surgeon at Newbury racecourse and a member of the veterinary panel for Goffs (UK) sales company.

BVM&S, Cert EP, DESTS, Dipl ECVS, FRCVS, RCVS & European Specialist in Equine Surgery

Bruce graduated from Edinburgh University in 1988. He joined O’Gorman Slater and Main (as it was then) in 1992. From 1995 to 1998 he undertook a Residency in Equine Surgery at Bristol University and then re-joined Donnington Grove Veterinary Group as principle equine surgeon. Bruce’s interest is equine surgery, including arthroscopy, fracture repair, colic and airway surgery. He was equine surgeon for the Rio Olympic Games. He was awarded a fellowship of the RCVS in 2016 for meritous contributions to clinical practice. He also involves himself in imaging including MRI, scintigraphy and radiology. He enjoys skiing and, similar to his skiing ability, is a low level rugby referee. He's also been able to run the odd marathon. His wife and daughter have innumerable horses, while his son is an aspiring athlete.

BVetMed, MRCVS

Graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1988 and after a year in mixed practice, followed by 4 years in first opinion horse practice in Hertfordshire, he joined the practice in 1993. Since then he has worked as an ambulatory vet, focussing on race and competition work. From 2008 to 2014, he served on BEVA council as representative for the racing industry, and also held a position on the BHA veterinary committee. He has a special interest in cardiac ultrasonography and for many years has taught on the BEVA specialist course on this subject.

He became a partner at Donnington Grove Veterinary Group in1999, and continues to work as a full time ambulatory vet. He regularly attends thoroughbred auction sales on behalf of clients. Outside of work, he keeps himself reasonably fit by playing a bit of tennis, golf, skiing and sailing, as well as regular dog walks.

BVM&S, CertVA, MRCVS

Following graduation from Edinburgh University in 1999 and 2 years in mixed practice Alastair undertook an internship at the Liphook Equine Hospital. After a brief spell in equine practice in Sussex Alastair joined the practice in 2004, becoming an associate partner in 2011 and an equity partner in 2014. Alastair has a certificate in veterinary anaesthesia
He spends most of his time doing ambulatory racing practice, alongside providing investigation of poor performance using overground endoscopy and telemetric ECG. Alastair also has an interest in the care and preparation of young stock for bloodstock sales.
When not working he is kept busy looking after his two sons and enjoys cooking.

BVSc, CertAVP, MRCVS

Filipe qualified from Bristol University in 1997. He started his career in mixed practice in Suffolk, before spending 5 years at Rossdales, Newmarket under the guidance of Peter Rossdale and Sidney Ricketts. Following time working in Dubai and then Surrey, he joined the practice as a locum in 2006, before taking on a full-time role with primary responsibility for developing the stud side of the practice. Fil has special interests in foal medicine and (developmental) orthopaedics, foetal sex determination and care of the high-risk pregnant mare. He offers second opinion referral services to vets in the area, including advice of foetal sex testing, mare problems, and foal/yearling orthopaedic issues and has lectured at several CPD meetings in the UK.

BVetMed, CertEM (Int.Med), MS, DACVIM, DipECEIM, MRCVS.
American, European and RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine

Kate graduated from the Royal Vet College, London in 2005, before joining Donnington Grove in 2006 as a hospital intern, staying for 2 1/2 years. Kate then completed a 3 year residency training program in Illinois, USA in equine internal medicine achieving American board certification as a specialist in Large Animal Internal Medicine, as well as a Masters degree. She has publications in multiple peer reviewed journals and has presented at several international conferences. In 2013 she became a European Specialist in equine internal medicine and an RCVS specialist in 2014. Kate rejoined the practice in February 2013 and leads the internal medicine service. Her professional interests include gastrointestinal disease, critical care and neonatology. She also has a major interest in colic surgery and post-operative colic care. Her interests outside of work include dog walking, skiing and cooking.

MVB, DVM, MS, Dipl ACVS, MRCVS, American Specialist in Equine Surgery

Henry O’Neill grew up on a farm in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and attributes his father for his passion and curiosity in the horse. He went onto graduate as a veterinarian in 2005 from the University College Dublin, followed by a number of years in farm animal practice in Northern Ireland. Henry first came to Donnington Grove as an intern during 2008-2009 and inspired by this experience, got placed in an equine surgical training program at Michigan State University under the tutelage of Dr John Stick. Henry qualified as a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2013, and gained a Masters of Science at the same time in equine upper airway research. Henry holds memberships to both the British and American Veterinary Medical Associations. Although Henry conducts all forms of surgery and lameness within the hospital, his particular interests are in equine respiratory, orthopaedic and minimally invasive surgery.

BSc MA Vet MB Cert VA Cert EM(Int Med) MRCVS

Nicole graduated from University of Cambridge in 1992. She spent a year in mixed practice and then completed an Internship at the Royal Veterinary College in Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics. She joined the practice in 1994. Post graduate qualifications include a Certificate in Veterinary Anaesthesia and a Certificate in Equine Medicine (Internal Medicine). She qualified in Germany as an Equine Chiropractor with the International Academy of Veterinary Chiropractic and uses these techniques as well as acupuncture in treatments.

Nicole’s main interests are in sports horse lameness, injury prevention and poor performance. She has a strong interest in dressage being an advanced dressage rider and producer of sports horses. She has one daughter who competes Internationally in dressage.

DrMedVet(Cum laude), CertISELP, MRCVS

Giorgio qualified from the University of Turin, Italy, in 1989. After an Internship in Equine Surgery at the Animal Health Trust in 1991/92, he settled in Pisa, Tuscany where he spent over twenty years in private practice, further developing his interests in equine surgery and lameness. This included assignments as a contract Professor at the University of Pisa. More recently Giorgio started traveling in the Middle East for work and after an 18 months spell in the UAE working for a large private stable involved in flat and endurance racing, he made his way back to Europe, joining Donnington Grove in 2016. Giorgio is past president of SIVE, the Italian Association of Equine Practitioners and of FEEVA, the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations; he is past Board member of the ESVOT (European Society of Veterinary Orthopaedics and Traumatology). He is a certified member of ISELP (International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology.

BVM&S, MSc, Cert AVP (ESO, ESST), DipECVS, MRCVS

Judith qualified from Edinburgh in 2008. She joined Donnington Grove in 2010 on an equine internship before undertaking a surgical residency at the University of Liverpool where she completed RCVS certificates in Equine Orthopaedics and Soft Tissue Surgery, as well as a masters degree. In 2015 she became a recognised European Specialist in Equine Surgery. She worked as an equine surgeon both in Australia and the UK before returning to Donnington Grove in 2018. Judith has published several papers in peer reviewed scientific journals. In her spare time Judith is kept busy squeezing in eventing alongside a young family.

MA VetMB MVetMed DipACVIM MRCVS

Rose graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2014 before completing a hospital internship at Donnington Grove. She then spent time in first opinion equine practice in the Cotswolds before beginning a residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College in London, during which time she also completed a Masters degree. Rose passed her board examinations in 2021 to become a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and returned to Donnington Grove shortly after. Rose enjoys all aspects of internal medicine.

MA MA VetMB CertAVP(EM&ESM) DipECEIM MRCVS

Rachel studied physiological sciences at Oxford University prior to veterinary science at Cambridge. She initially joined Donnington Grove as a house vet and on completion of this 18-month position, stayed on as part of the stud team for a breeding season. A stint in ambulatory sports’ horse practice preceded her return to Donnington Grove in January 2020 for a residency in equine internal medicine. Rachel passed her board examinations in 2024 to become a recognised European and RCVS specialist in Equine Internal Medicine. Her main interests are foal medicine and critical care. Rachel is also an FEI treating vet being passionate about three-day eventing. Rachel previously competed at Badminton and Burghley 5*s.

BvetMed(Hons), CertAVP(ESM), MRCVS

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BVetMed, MRCVS

Camilla graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2013. Having grown up on a small Thoroughbred stud, she subsequently pursued her interest in reproductive medicine, undertaking stud seasons in Australia and the UK. In 2017 she moved to Kentucky to spend a year at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, rotating through their medical, surgical, and reproductive services. She is also a FEI permitted treating vet and has published on equine biomechanics. Outside the stud season Camilla enjoys all aspect of general practice.
When not at work, Camila likes running, baking, and riding whenever she can.

BSc(Hons), BVetMed, MRCVS

Alex part of our ambulatory team. Alex studied Bioveterinary Sciences prior to Veterinary studies at the Royal Veterinary College in London. Initially, Alex joined Donnington Grove as a House Vet within the hospital team. After completion of this 18 month position, she transitioned to the ambulatory team.
Alex enjoys all aspects of being an equine vet, but has particular interest in lameness and sports horse medicine. She is currently working towards a certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice and is also an FEI treating vet.
In her spare time, Alex enjoys exploring the countryside with her dog, Bert.

DVM (Cum Laude) MRCVS

Luca graduated from the University of Naples in 2020. After graduating, he worked in internal medicine on trotter racehorses in Tuscany. Following that he was in Naples with racehorses, dealing mainly with sport medicine and orthopaedics.
In 2022, he started a rotational internship in an equine clinic in the north of Belgium focusing on orthopaedics and surgeries related to orthopaedic issues. Luca has a particular interest in working with racehorses to enhance their performance. As well as focusing on orthopaedic issues with particular attention to innovative treatments. Outside of work he enjoys cooking and travelling with his partner.

BVSc MRCVS

Lucy graduated from Bristol University in 2016 before completing a hospital internship at Donnington Grove. She then moved to spend time in two busy first opinion practices in Kent and East Sussex before returning to join the Donnington Grove ambulatory team in 2021. Lucy enjoys a varied caseload out on the road but has a particular interest in lameness and poor performance. She is currently completing her Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice in lameness diagnosis and therapeutics.
Outside of work Lucy enjoys exploring the countryside with her two dogs and chestnut mare.

BVSc MRCVS

Natalia graduated from the University of Liverpool in July 2020. She completed a 2-year hospital-based internship at Donnington Grove and has worked in an ambulatory position in Kent. Natalia worked at Fethard Equine Hospital in Ireland as a medicine fellow for the past 6 months. Natalia has returned to Donnington Grove in the hospital to undertake a residency in equine internal medicine, working towards board certification. She has undertaken research in the field of post-operative colic care. Natalia has a strong interest in neonatal foal care.

DVM, MRCVS

Hugo is originally from Andalucia. He graduated from Madrid University in 2015. After working for a year in first opinion small animals practice and several equine externships in the United Kingdom, he moved to South Africa to complete a one-year hospital-based equine internship mainly working within the thoroughbred industry. After that, he returned to the UK to complete a three-year hospital-based equine internship at Donnington Grove. Hugo then moved to the USA to undertake a one-year Surgical Fellowship at Oregon State University and eventually returned to Donnington Grove where he is now resident in equine surgery, working toward ECVS (European College of Veterinary Surgeons) certification. He is also an FEI-permitted treating veterinarian. Hugo enjoys all the aspects of surgery with special emphasis on Orthopaedic and minimally invasive procedures.