About the Horse Racing Industry
The Horse Racing industry generates billions of pounds for the British economy and is actually the second biggest spectator sport here in the UK with over 5 million people visiting British racecourses every year. It has been part of our identity for hundreds of years and although it is still considered the Sport of Kings has become an entertainment for all of us through televised events, newspapers, online and bookmakers. Britain has around 60 racecourses and 14,000 horses in trainng!
There are over 17,400 FTE jobs in the industry across rural Britain with approximately 450 jockeys, 550 trainers & 6,500 stable staff. It offers a wide range of different job roles from working directly with horses to more office based roles. The industry has an annual expenditure of over £3.5 billion.
We have recourses in this region at Newmarket, Great Yarmouth and Fakenham as well as prestigious racing organisations that operate here too - see the organisations section further down for more details and profiles.
Whatever you decide upon, qualifications, hands-on experience and of course a love of horses will all be a good starting point in getting into the industry.
British Racing School
Newmarket is considered to be the home of racing and its where you will find the British Racing School.
The British Racing School offers training for numerous different career paths from stable staff, trainer, racing secretary to jockey. They are a registered training provider, therefore you can continue your education with them when you leave school.
To find out if a career in horse racing is really for you the British Racing School offers an apprenticeship programme in racehorse care which offers free tuition and is open to absolute beginners. All you would have to do is prove that you have what it takes and you will be accepted onto a 14 week pre-apprenticeship programme, if successfully completed to the required standard this could lead to a full-time paid job in the industry. For further information, see the BRS website
Whatever you decide upon, there are a vast range of training opportunities available within the industry which all lead to exciting and challenging careers.
The National Stud
The National Stud has been an integral part of the British thoroughbred industry for over 100 years. In addition to breeding services, it also offers specialist training for stud staff and public tours - to give the outside world a unique insight into the world of Thoroughbred breeding.
Breeding and boarding services offer a very high standard of care and the internationally renowned training facilities give young people entering the industry the best possible start to a career in Thoroughbred breeding.
The National Stud has been one of the world’s leading providers of Thoroughbred industry education for over 30 years. The qualifications offered are accredited by the industry’s awarding body 1st4Sport. In addition to residential and short courses, it offer a range of qualifications which can be delivered and assessed in the workplace.
The National Stud was acquired by The Jockey Club in 2008 which offers a fantastic range of careers and benefits for all. Diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the future of horseracing.
