Meet the Team

PAOLO GUASCO

Founding Vet

Born and raised on a beef farm in northern Italy, Paolo somehow graduated from veterinary school in Turin in 2008 after five years of mischief. A combination of luck, a few questionable decisions, and some exceptional mentors took him first to Hagyards in Lexington, Kentucky, and then to Coolmore in Ireland, where he learned far more than any textbook could ever teach him. Along the way, he had the privilege of working alongside remarkable people who shaped not only his veterinary skills but also the way he approaches the profession.

Another twist of fate brought him to the Cotswolds, and England gradually became home. After several years of being employed, he took the proverbial leap of faith and founded Guasco & Associates in 2017, starting out in a tiny 15 × 15 ft office that cost just £280 a month, bills included.

From the very beginning, he was surrounded by an outstanding team whose talent, dedication, and hard work transformed that small office into the thriving practice it is today—one that has grown far beyond those original four walls.

When he’s not working… well, that never really happens. He’s usually working.

PATRICK McCARTHY

Associate Vet

Patrick grew up in the south of Ireland, surrounded by animals, which ignited his passion for veterinary medicine. Patrick graduated from University College Dublin in 2022. He then joined Fethard Equine Hospital at Coolmore, working for 13 months across various services, including Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Sports Medicine, learning from some of the world’s top equine clinicians.

MOLLY KIRK

Associate Vet

Molly grew up in Oxfordshire around horses, leading her to vet school in London. She spent summers riding at racing yards, hoping to work in that field. In 2022, she graduated and began an internship in Northamptonshire, splitting her time between the equine hospital and as a road vet. She realized her passion was for lameness and orthopaedics. After her internship, she continued as a road vet for 6 months before joining Guasco and Associates in April 2024.

ALICE CASTIGLIONI

Associate Vet

Alice grew up in Italy with a passion for show jumping. Her deep love for animals led her to pursue veterinary medicine, earning her DVM from the University of Milan in 2022. Following graduation, Alice completed a rotating internship in Ireland, where she discovered a passion for the racing industry. To enhance her expertise in surgery and orthopaedics, fuelled by her admiration for racehorses, Alice relocated to Kentucky to join the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. There, she undertook a surgical internship, working closely with seasoned specialists in both hospital and field settings. Over the course of the year, she honed her surgical skills and gained comprehensive experience across a wide variety of equine cases.

WILL SAGE

Associate Vet

Despite growing up around horses, it took Will a bit longer than most to realise he wanted to work with them. After some years in the London property market, he decided to retrain as a vet and graduated from Bristol in 2024. He then embarked on a two-year internship at Newmarket Equine Hospital where he gained experience in racehorse and breeding work. Will spent many years as a student in the car with Paolo and is excited to be back working in the Cotswolds.

Outside of jump racing, Will enjoys watching rugby now that his playing days are long behind him but still enjoys less violent sports like tennis or golf (including the 19^th hole).

AARON SUTHERLAND

Practice Manager

Aaron is a proud Dubliner who moved to Cheltenham in 2019 to work in Cheltenham Racecourse after doing a spell in Leopardstown Racecourse. Lockdown hit which sparked the idea for him to learn how to ride. This led to him to work for O’Neill Racing adding to his experience of the racing industry on both sides of the Irish Sea. In his spare time, you’ll find him in the back corner of a squash court.

JASMIN KEWLEY-KELLETT

Admin/Veterinary Assistant

Jasmin grew up in Gloucestershire with a lifelong passion for horses despite coming from a non-horsey family. Her enthusiasm led her to enrol at Hartpury College, where she built a strong foundation in equine studies and gained hands-on experience working with hunters and eventers.After seven years in the equestrian world, Jasmin transitioned into an administrative role supporting her father’s business, while continuing to own and care for her own horse. Staying active in the saddle helped her maintain a close connection to the horse world she loved.Living in a region steeped in equestrian and racing heritage, Jasmin’s desire to work more closely with horses never faded. That passion ultimately led her to join the team at Guasco & Associates, where she is thrilled to be back in an environment that aligns with her interests and experience. Outside of work, Jasmin enjoys riding, walking her many gundogs, and playing netball.

EMMA KAMBO

Manager/PA

Occasionally, planets and stars align, and mystical moments occur. This must have happened when Emma accepted the job to become the Secretary/PA/Manager. Emma has been with the team since day one; she is in charge of virtually everything that happens in the office and is a familiar voice to most clients. Where Emma goes, her very energetic sprocker, Jet, is never far behind!

ABIGAIL SMITH

Veterinary Technician

Abi has spent her entire childhood and adult life surrounded by horses and has worked in the racing industry for the past two years. During this time, she has developed a strong passion for and interest in thoroughbreds. She studied Biomedical Science at Cardiff University, where she gained valuable clinical skills that complement her practical experience. In her spare time, Abi has produced a young horse out of racing and is currently retraining an older horse, with the aim of keeping and competing in the future. Outside of work, she enjoys long walks with her dog and riding her own horse, continuing to build on the passion that underpins everything she does.