“I’m Too Tall to Work in Horseracing”

Have you considered working as a jockey but come to the conclusion that you’re too tall to work in Horseracing? This is a common misconception. There is no height limit for riding racehorses but there is a weight limit, for the welfare of the racehorses. There are however many job roles which don’t require you to ride racehorses but still allow you to exercise them.

Horseracing in Britain is among the worlds best regulated animal activities. Racehorses in training lead an exceptionally high quality of life. They receive unparalleled care and attention, the best possible feed, bedding, facilities and a healthy lifestyle involving regular, daily exercise.

British horseracing is a nationwide sport with 59 licensed racecourses spread across Great Britain. British racing is an industry of great significance to the economy and is at the heart of rural communities across the country.

• British racing supports 85,000 jobs
• Over 10,000 employees are involved in the production and training of racehorses
• Over 400 full-time licensed jockeys
• Over 550 licensed racehorse trainers
• Over 14,000 horses in training
• Around 6 million attendees at racecourses annually
• Over 5,000 people work on a racecourse at the most prestigious race meetings
• £35 million in veterinary research and education has been invested since the year 2000. This benefits all breeds of horses, not just thoroughbreds.

The sport offers a variety of job roles, some of which are very specialised like being a betting analyst, investigating officer or veterinary officer, while other jobs, such as racing grooms, work riders and stud hands are more plentiful.

‘Not your typical job’, is perhaps the best way to describe all the jobs in horseracing, whether working directly with horses or in an office. The variety of jobs available really does make the racing industry one that has a job for everyone. Key practical roles that involve looking after horses might be at a trainer’s yard or on a stud farm.

Previous hands-on equine experience or academic qualifications are not necessary to start your horseracing career. Residential Foundation Courses, which are 12-weeks in length, are delivered at the industry’s training providers, including the National Horseracing College in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Upon successful completion of the initial training, learners are secured a 6-week work placement in a licensed trainer’s yard which can lead to a full-time, permanent position as a member of the racing staff team and the commencement of a Level 2 Apprenticeship which is completed in the workplace.

The industry offers training courses from Apprenticeships to MBAs. As young people have to remain in education until they are 18-years-old, Apprenticeships are available in racehorse care either after GCSEs or A-Levels. Attendance on a Foundation Course is the first step to becoming a racing groom or stud hand.

Why Work with Racehorses?

• Apprenticeships
• Advanced Apprenticeships
• Structured Training and Development
• Agreed Industry Wages
• Paid Overtime
• Pension Scheme
• Opportunities to Travel throughout the UK and Abroad
• Trade Union Support
• Be Part of a Team
• Yard Bonus Scheme
• Accident Scheme
• Working Outdoors

Interested?

Monthly Open Days take place at the National Horseracing College where potential students and their parents/carers have the opportunity to look around the facilities, meet the horses, chat with the instructor team about the career opportunities and training available and meet the current students and talk about how they’re getting on.

Open Morning dates can be found on www.theNHC.co.uk

Make your passion, your career

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.