Who’s Who

Who’s Who in Racing

There are many organisations and charities that support racing staff with advice and/or training, the welfare of racehorses in your care and the wider horseracing industry.

1st4sport Qualifications

Provides useful information on careers and training in both the racing and breeding industries. There is also a Job Board with a variety of jobs advertised.

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British Horseracing Authority

The governing and regulatory authority for Thoroughbred horseracing in Great Britain. They lead and co-ordinate activities to ensure the overall health and growth of the industry. This includes everything from raceday regulation to organising training programmes. It is also responsible for creating policies and will liaise with Government on racing issues.

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British Racing School

A centre of excellence providing a range of training and courses to meet the needs of the racing industry and its learners. The School provides Pony Racing training and a residential foundation level course for 16-24 year olds, after which students get apprenticeship places in racehorse trainers’ yards across the UK. It also provides training in specialist skills such as senior staff training, jockey training and courses for racehorse trainers.

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Careers Advice and Training Service (CATS)

Funded by The Racing Foundation, this service helps racing employees develop in their current roles or plan their next steps and enjoy a fulfilling career in racing. Anybody who works or has worked in the British horseracing industry can access support which can include careers advice, job search, job applications, CV writing and interview skills.

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Careers in Racing

Provides useful information on careers and training in both the racing and breeding industries. There is also a Job Board with a variety of jobs advertised.

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Great British Racing

Horseracing’s official marketing and promotional body working with all stakeholders to grow interest and participation in the sport.

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Haddon Training

A national work-based training organisation providing apprenticeships in horse care and management combining the racing option. They offer riding and nonriding apprenticeships with a range of licensed racehorse trainers.

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Homing Ex-Racehorses Organisation Scheme (HEROS)

HEROS Equine Education offers a variety of courses which can be tailored to suit individual requirements based on time and experience. Any student can be considered. Let us help you find the pathway to your future career with horses.

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Horsemen’s Group

A cohesive group of five organisations which represents the interests of racehorse owners, trainers, jockeys, stable staff and breeders. The Group works to ensure an equitable share of racing’s revenue is returned to horsemen through prize-money, to secure a racing programme that supports the requirements of the horse population and to provide a single voice for horsemen in areas of common interest.

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Injured Jockeys Fund

A charity providing financial, medical and pastoral assistance to jockeys past and present who have suffered through injury. It also runs rehabilitation centres Oaksey House, Jack Berry House and Peter O'Sullevan House.

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Jockeys Education & Training Scheme (JETS)

A charity which helps current and former professional jockeys with career coaching, grants and training in new skills so they can gain employment after their race-riding career and achieve a secure future.

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National Association of Racing Staff

An independent trade union representing all stable staff. It negotiates wages and conditions, and deals with problems or complaints that racing grooms have with their work place and represents them in cases of dispute.

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National Horseracing College

A centre of excellence delivering a wide range of courses that specifically cater people who are looking at horseracing as a future career and for those who are currently working in the industry wishing to develop their qualifications and skills. As well as training for racing grooms and for young people wishing to gain experience working in racing, the College provides jockey and racehorse trainer training.

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National Joint Council for Stable Staff

The Council, which includes representatives of the National Association of Racing Staff and National Trainers Federation, supports and develops everyone working in horseracing. It has set down minimum standards of employment through the Memorandum of Agreement, produced a non-contractual disciplinary procedure and reached an agreement on how to resolve differences of opinion.

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National Trainers Federation

The official body representing and supporting licensed racehorse trainers. It provides information and professional advice on issues affecting racehorse trainers’ businesses – including legal, accountancy, employment, veterinary and property. It administers the Racing Industry Accidents and Benefits Scheme (RIABS) and the stakeholder Pension Scheme for trainers’ staff.

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Professional Jockeys Association (PJA)

The PJA promotes, protects and represents the interests of professional jockeys both on and off the racecourse. It works with regulatory, industry and commercial bodies to secure agreements to the benefit of all and supports jockeys with any problems which may arise.

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Racecourse Association

The Association serves the interests of its 59 racecourse members. They represent racecourses views in the sport and support them. They work closely with racecourses to promote the highest professional standard in racecourse management, health and safety, and medical and veterinary care, including ensuring that a good standard of facilities is available for stable staff on race days.

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Racing Foundation

A charity established with funding derived from the UK government’s sale of the Horserace Totalisator Board ("Tote"). The Foundation makes grants to charities associated with the UK horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industry, supporting work in social welfare, training and education, racehorse welfare, equine science research, heritage and culture.

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Racing Home

A new organisation dedicated to helping you balance parenting with working in horseracing. Use this site to understand your employment rights & entitlements, and where to seek help & support.

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Racing Staff Week

Racing Staff Week celebrates the important role of the stable staff, stud staff and all the other behind the scenes staff in British Horseracing. The initiative, developed by Racing Welfare in collaboration with the racing industry, delivers a week of activities, prizes and gifts for racing staff.

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Racing to School

The charity that inspires young people's learning and development through encouraging a broad interest in horseracing as a leisure activity and as a possible future career path. It designs and delivers education programmes, working at racecourses, studs and training yards to provide learning opportunities for over 14,000 young people from all backgrounds every year.

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Racing Welfare

A charity that provides a professional guidance and practical help to support the well-being of stable, stud and support staff, included those retired. The welfare service allows people in racing to thrive in day-to-day life and through any challenges in their racing career.

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Retraining of Racehorses

British horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing. The charity raises funds from within the racing industry for the retraining and rehoming of former racehorses, as well as promoting the versatility of racehorses for other activities.

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Scottish Racing Academy

The Scottish Racing Academy(SRA) was formed in 2019 to enhance horseracing education and training provision in Scotland and the north of England. It aims to provide learner-based training for people wishing to pursue a career in racing as well as supporting those already working in the industry who wish to upskill their knowledge and expertise.

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The Horse Comes First

An initiative supported by leading organisations in British horseracing to increase awareness of the high standards of equine welfare in the sport. It aims to improve understanding of the excellent care given to horses throughout and after their careers in racing.

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The Jockey Club

Released from its regulatory duties when the British Horseracing Authority was formed in 2007, the Jockey Club focuses on its commercial activities with a portfolio of 14 racecourses, a property and land management company, and the National Stud. All profits generated by the Jockey Club’s businesses are invested back into racing, including the Racing Welfare charity.

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The Racing Centre

A charity which is a community hub for stud and stable staff in Newmarket. It includes RACEFIT, a subsidised fitness and rehabilitation service for stud, stable staff and jockeys to keep them fit and healthy, and to support them in returning to work after injury.

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Thoroughbred Breeders Association

A registered charity representing Thoroughbred breeders in Great Britain. The association provides events, educational forums and schemes designed to give knowledge, tools, advice and support to help breeders be more productive and profitable whilst enjoying the vital role they have within racing.

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Weatherbys

Contracted by British Horseracing Authority, Weatherbys administers many aspects of British racing, including the stable employees register, ownership registrations, receiving and processing entries and declarations and generation of pre-race data. They also provide financial services and maintain the Thoroughbred breeding register.

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