When race day comes, millions of people across the world are watching the spectacle. For the88,000 people who work in theBritish horseracing industry, it's the culmination of years of preparation. From Bookmakers to Journalists, Chefs to Jockeys, Racecourse Managers to Trainers, the roles and the career opportunities are endless.
There are hundreds of different types of roles in racing and many, many different career paths. Of course, you can work with horses, either preparing them for a life of racing, or breeding future champions at a stud farm. But there are plenty of other areas of the industry to get involved in. From Groundsmen to Managers, there are a host of interesting jobs at racecourses. These include the officials and investigators who take care of regulation. Then there are all the people working behind the scenes in the administration of this multi-million pound industry.
The British Racing School
The British Racing School is a state of the art purpose built training centre on the outskirts of Newmarket, the Headquarters of British horseracing. The school was established to provide training and education to the racing industry. The facilities include an indoor school, all weather and grass gallops, starting stalls, schooling fences, horse simulators, latest position analysis technology and modern classrooms.
The foundation apprenticeship starts with a fully residential 9 week course at the British Racing School. The course is completely free and includes all meals and training. On completion of the course we guarantee you a job in racing and over the next year you will complete your qualification in the workplace. The nine weeks are very practical and you will spend most of your time actually working with the horses. You will ride out twice every day and be responsible for looking after two horses. Lectures cover all subjects within the NVQ 2 qualification. Evening activities aim to improve fitness, confidence and prepare you for working life. Once placed in the industry you will be supported by one of the BRS assessors who visit you in your workplace and to help you complete your NVQ qualification.
There are hundreds of different types of roles in racing and many, many different career paths. The BRS is able to provide high quality training for every aspect of the industry, from racing secretaries to head lads courses. See www.brs.org.uk
Northern Racing College
Situated within one of the finest landscapes in the whole of South Yorkshire, the Northern Racing College has played a key role in the development of a huge number of stable staff, assistant trainers and trainers, work riders and jockeys since opening in 1984. We pride ourselves on the fact that we have a worldwide reputation for training individuals to the highest level.
In recent years we have developed a series of short specialist training courses which allow staff already employed in the sport to brush up their existing skills and to develop a range of competencies that employers value in their team. The short courses complement the 12-week residential Foundation Course we offer, which caters for those looking to gain the necessary practical skills and experience before commencing employment in the industry for the first time. The Foundation Course is free for European Economic Area (EEA) residents.
For individuals who have already completed an equine qualification and are wishing to gain practical skills and knowledge of the horseracing industry prior to commencing employment in a racing stable, our six-week residential Foundation Course for Equine Students will ensure they have the practical skills a racehorse trainer requires in a member of his/her stable staff team. This course is partially funded by the British Horseracing Authority and leads to a full-time, permanent position in a licensed UK racing stable.
For further details on all our training courses please visit www.northernracingcollege.co.uk.
Also Check out the British Horseracing Authority's website at Careers i Racing for an A-Z of possible careers.
