About us

The British Racing School is a world-class centre of training excellence in Newmarket, the Global HQ of horseracing. For over 40 years we have trained young people to go on and excel in the thrilling world of horse racing. Set in over 150 acres and with incredible facilities including 4 state of the art riding arenas and canters, together with jockey training suite and gyms, and 70 former racehorses, the British Racing School is the perfect place to jumpstart your career in racing. 

Apprenticeships

We offer two entry level courses for young people into racing:

Foundation Course - Level 2 Diploma Apprenticeship in Racehorse Care
The Foundation Course is an apprenticeship programme for 16-25 year olds which leads to a level 2 diploma in racehorse care and management. The first part of the course is residential at the British Racing School lasting 18 weeks where young people gain all the skills they need to be able to work at a racing yard. The second part is then on apprenticeship placement at a yard as a paid member of staff, working towards the level 2. There are courses starting throughout the year so head to the website to see the upcoming dates and apply. During the course you will learn the following skills:

• To ride racehorses in control and according to instructions, you will ride 2 lots every day
• To muck out and administer daily grooming, feeding and care for racehorses. 
• To prepare a horse for going racing

• Help you to achieve your functional skills English and Maths
• Help you to achieve your Apprenticeship which includes your Level 2 Diploma in Racehorse Care
• Help you to achieve your First Aid Certificate
• Life Skills

• Team building
• How to budget and manage your finances living away from home
• Diet and nutrition to help you maintain your weight and a healthy diet
• Personal safety
• Drug and alcohol awareness
• Personal health including sexual education
• Equality & diversity in the workplace
• Cybersafety
• Road Safety
• Towards the end of your residential course we will work together to determine where in the country, and for which trainer, will best suit your personal circumstances and ambitions. If you have successfully completed the course at the required standard you will then go into a full time, fully paid job where you will complete your Apprenticeship. This typically takes 18 months. Our workplace Instructors will visit you in the yard when you are working to help you complete your portfolio.

Level 2 Diploma in Racehorse Care and Exercise
Our Level 2 in Racehorse Care and Exercise allows you to combine your love of horses with the chance to gain qualifications to work in one of the country’s most exciting sports. It is FREE to attend and starts in September 2025.

This is a term-time based course lasting 2 years for students aged 16-18 who will attend the British Racing School three times a week, whilst still living at home. Students will cover all the areas of the British Racing School’s fully residential Foundation Course whilst spreading their learning across two years and attending as day students.

Other Courses and Training

The British Racing School offers numerous courses for the racing Industry.

Jockey Training
Our objective with jockey training is very simple, we want to be seen to be the best place for jockey training in the world and in so doing, to be constantly seeking ways to make the training that we offer more effective.

Trainers' Course
The trainers' courses consist of 3 modules which you need to undertake in order to apply to the BHA for a trainer's licence.

Assistant Trainers Course
The Assistant Trainers' Course is a residential course run over three days. The aim of this course is to illustrate the importance of an assistant trainer's role both in the yard and on the racecourse.

Yard Managers' course
The Yard Managers' course is suitable for anyone who currently supervised staff in a racing yard or stud farm.

Racing Secretary
The Course has been created for secretaries new to racing and anyone considering working in this role. It provides knowledge of the role of a racing secretary.

These are just a few of the courses that we run, for further details regarding all of our courses please visit the Courses and Training page on our website.

Careers

Racing is a multi-million pound industry employing over 100,000 people. It is the nation's second largest spectator sport with over 5 million people visiting British racecourses every year.

There are numerous different career paths and The British Racing School can offer training every step of the way.

Stable Staff - work in the racing yard looking after the racehorses and riding them everyday. Becoming a member of Stable Staff is also the first step to becoming a Jockey or one of the more senior members of staff in a racing yard.

Jockey - A jockey is someone who rides racehorses in public under the rules of racing. If you are new to racing and think you want to become a jockey the first step is becoming a member of Stable Staff.

Trainer - A Trainer is someone who trains the horses and runs the business of a racing yard.

Racing Secretary - A Racing Secretary is a secretary, office manager and trainers personal assistant all rolled in to 1!

Assistant Trainer - An Assistant Trainer is the most senior position in a racing yard underneath the boss, the Trainer.

Find out more

For further details about careers, courses and training at the British Racing School, please visit our website.