Education & Training
There is a huge number of education and training courses available to you in the racing industry, regardless of what role you are working in.
Education and training is something the racing industry does really well, with many courses available to further your skills and progress your career. Whether you work on a yard or stud, at a racecourse or within the wider facets of the industry, there is something for everyone.
Yard based staff
One of the main routes into the industry is via a 12 week Level 1 Diploma Residential Course in Racehorse Care, run by both of the UK’s two racing schools. These courses are set out for people looking to come into the sport as a racing groom and rider. The education opportunities available range from this Level 1 qualification, right up to racehorse trainer modules for those who are ultimately aiming to train horses themselves. In between these courses sit the Level 2 and 3 Diplomas in Racehorse Care, courses to enhance work riding skills, transporting horses, racing secretary, yard manager and assistant trainer courses.
The Regional Staff Development Programme offers training in practical skills in short course form. Training is available for things like work riding, clipping, lunging, veterinary skills and feeding to name but a few and is provided on a regional basis. To add to these are the Rider Coaching Qualifications and the NAoRS Functional Skills course and Mentoring Scheme.
Also if you work in a yard make sure you check out the Racing Groom website (www.racinggroom.com) which covers all sorts of support, initiatives and information related to working for a racehorse trainer including what your day might look like, what hours you work and how much you may get paid. It also has a great trainer profile page (https://hub.racinggroom.com/employers/) where you can get a feel of what it might be like to work for a particular trainer.
Stud Staff
The National Stud provides training courses for people looking to kick start their career in the thoroughbred breeding sector, in addition to providing courses for more experienced stud staff who wish to develop their skills. The National Stud also provides regional training opportunities in specialist subjects, supported by the Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
TB-Ed
A TBA education and training initiative which offers a range of courses and resources that provide essential knowledge and guidance to new and existing industry participants. Delivered by experts, they are accessible and affordable, enabling flexible learning at a time to suit everyone. Find out more: tb-ed.co.uk
Racecourse, stakeholder and employees in the wider racing industry
The is wide range of training and development opportunities available for people working in the industry outside of yards and studs too. From the BHA’s Overview of the Industry course, The Racing Industry Course (TRIC), and the BRS Management Academy through to the Thoroughbred Horseracing Industry MBA, there are courses at every level to enhance your skills and knowledge of the industry. More specialist qualifications also exist for the likes of racecourse groundstaff in addition to Clerk of the Course training schemes.
Ultimately, whatever the direction of your career in racing, there are opportunities available to you to develop and fulfil your potential.
Free Training Resources
RACING2LEARN
The BHA’s Racing2learn site has some fantastic online resources and training in all aspects of the industry and is available to everyone working in racing. https://racing2learn.com/
WOMEN IN RACING/THE RACING CENTRE
Both Women In Racing https://www.womeninracing.co.uk/ and The Racing Centre in Newmarket https://www.theracingcentre.org/ are running webinars via zoom calls, keep an eye on their websites or follow them on social media for more information.
OXFORD HOME STUDY/OPEN LEARN AND FUTURELEARN
Sites such as Open Learn (https://www.open.edu/openlearn/), Oxford Home Study (https://www.oxfordhomestudy.com/) and Future Learn (https://www.futurelearn.com/) have a huge array of free online courses on subjects including IT skills, language and maths skills, nutrition, health and mental health to name but a few.
Related Articles
Glossary of terms
Scholarships and industry initatives
Education & Training
Career Change
