Tell your parents and your school careers advisors that you’d like to work in a horseracing yard. They can help you research your training options and can also be great at helping you get work experience.

14-16yr old Programme at the National Horseracing College

This two-year course is designed for 14 – 16-year-olds (school years 10 and 11), currently in full-time education who want to spend one day a week at the National Horseracing College working towards a Level 1 Diploma in Racehorse Care. For many, this initial training course leads to an apprenticeship and permanent employment in the horseracing industry upon completion of the learner’s full-time studies.

Learners for this course are enrolled following a recommendation made by a member of staff at their school.

thenhc.co.uk/courses/stable-staff/14-16-work-related-training

National Progression Award in Racing: Yard Routine

This course is designed for 14-16 year olds who are at school and are interested in learning about racehorses and how to look after them in a yard environment.

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the candidates with an understanding of the principles for caring for racehorses and how they can be applied in practice.

The course will introduce the learner to the routine care, healthcare, feeding and exercise requirements of racehorses. They will also be able to prepare, load and unload horses as would be required ahead of escorting a horse to the races. Throughout this qualification, the emphasis will be on safe working and skills required for initial employment in the racing industry.

scottishracingacademy.co.uk/course/national-progression-award-in-racing-yard-routine-copy

There are some activities and events you could consider which will give you a great idea of what it might be like working in racing.

Racing to School run free workshops for Pony Club Members aged 12 years and over on racedays at selected racecourses. These days are full of fun activities connected to racing and you’ll get a chance to find out more about racing grooms and other jobs in the racing industry. For more information go to Racing to School.

Pony racing is open to everyone aged between 9 and 16 years old whether you own your own pony or not. Races are run for both novice and experienced riders. For more information go to the Pony Racing Authority website.

By registering with our Racing Groom Hub we’ll notify you of courses, events and other industry news to help you start your career. You can also create and save a CV and letter to employers for work experience or jobs. As a bonus, we’ve arranged discounts and offers for you from a wide range of suppliers, events and services.

You can arrange some work experience at a racehorse trainer’s yard before you leave school. We’ve given you some guidance on how to do this in our work experience section.

Anyone under 19 years old who wants to work as a racing groom must study for the Level 2 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care. This is one of the Rules of Racing but you might need to complete a Foundation Course and your Level 1 first.

There are three training providers for these courses – the British Racing School (BRS), National Horseracing College (NHC) and Haddon Training. We’d encourage you to look at their websites and speak to them about your career plans and experience. They can tell you how they can help you. You could also go to one of the open days at the BRS or the NHC.