Curious about training to become a racing groom? Start with a college open day
If you’re thinking about your next steps this summer and are interested in becoming a racing groom, an open day at one of the residential colleges is a great place to start.
During the open day, you’ll get a tour of the facilities, meet staff and the horses, watch current trainees ride and get to ask any questions you have about living and training on-site.
Need to know
The British Racing School is in Newmarket, and the National Horseracing College is in Doncaster. Both are excellent training centres and will give you a fantastic grounding to a great career in racing.
If you’re interested in the foundation course apprenticeship, remember you don’t need to have any prior riding experience, so don’t be put off if you’ve never ridden before or feel that you are an inexperienced rider.
If you are an experienced rider or already working on a professional yard, there are courses dedicated to transitioning to racing. Speak to the colleges directly about these options.
As well as booking an open day, start following the colleges’ social media channels. Both colleges post great videos all the time showing you the facilities, interviews with past and present trainees, and give you a great feel for life at college.
The National Horseracing College (NHC)
Open mornings take place on a Friday morning from 10.15am-1pm.
Upcoming open mornings at the NHC:
- Friday 25th Aug 2023
- Friday 29th Sep 2023
- Friday 27th Oct 2023
- Friday 24th Nov 2023
- Friday 15th Dec 2023
Register now: thenhc.co.uk/courses/open-mornings/open-mornings
The British Racing School (BRS)
The next open morning at the BRS is on Thursday 14th December. The morning will run from 9.30am until 12.00pm
Register by calling 01638 675905 or email careers@brs.org.uk.
Haddon Training
If work-based training would suit you better, you can train on the job with Haddon Training. Find out everything about their racing apprenticeships at: haddontraining.co.uk/racing-apprenticeships
