Northern Racing College

[ImMeSoHi]

Hiya, I'm new here and I suspect that you have all probs had threads like this before so applogies.

I'm Nicky, I'm 23 and live in Scotland. I currently work for William Hill bookies and have a place at NRC in June for the Foundation course. It was a long trip down from Scotland to Doncaster (overnight in a hotel and everything) so I'm pretty pleased that it all paid off with getting me a place, even though I will more than likely be the oldest student there on my start date.

Enough of the waffling on my part, what I really want to know is if any of you have studied at NRC, what it was like (good and bad), what accommodation was like, the horses, what you did after the course etc. Just anything really because I haven't been able to really find much on it and I'm the type of person that likes to know every little detail so I can prepare.

I'm not really looking to get into racing properly (jocket diet? no thanks I love my food! ) but really into breeding or rehabilitation with the help of NRC and their apprenticeship scheme. I'm not a silly wee lassie that only wants to work with horses and doesn't realize what hard work it will be, I want to make a career out of this and do what I love so I really would love any advice etc that you can all offer.

Cheers!

[xJalisco]

Hiiii there! Well done for getting a place, I bet you're excited! I haven't been there personally but I have a few friends that have who I could put you in contact with. I live in Doncaster & it's a great town, it can be daunting moving to a new place (I moved to Gloucester 2 years ago for college) and I still don't really know my way around now haha, if you ever need to know anything about Doncaster I am your woman ha ha, in all seriousness, if you're prepared to work hard you will reap what you sow! So well done, you already got a place, you're halfway there

[leah_x]

I am from Norwich and went to the NRC so a long drive for me too - but 100% worth it!!
They were the best days of my life, learnt a lot, and got a fantastic placement.
The horses are lovely, as are the instructors. I fell in love with one particular horse there - who they have given to me now!
I hope you have a great time - I'm very jealous, I wish I could go back!

[ImMeSoHi]

Originally Posted by xJalisco

Hiiii there! Well done for getting a place, I bet you're excited! I haven't been there personally but I have a few friends that have who I could put you in contact with. I live in Doncaster & it's a great town, it can be daunting moving to a new place (I moved to Gloucester 2 years ago for college) and I still don't really know my way around now haha, if you ever need to know anything about Doncaster I am your woman ha ha, in all seriousness, if you're prepared to work hard you will reap what you sow! So well done, you already got a place, you're halfway there

Hi there, sorry I had forgot that I had posted this here. =X
Thank you so much, yes I am very excited (and nervous!), not long left until I start so getting a bit more daunting as time goes on. Thank you for the offer, I may have to take you up on that, finding my way around places is always a struggle for me haha.

Originally Posted by leah_x

I am from Norwich and went to the NRC so a long drive for me too - but 100% worth it!!
They were the best days of my life, learnt a lot, and got a fantastic placement.
The horses are lovely, as are the instructors. I fell in love with one particular horse there - who they have given to me now!
I hope you have a great time - I'm very jealous, I wish I could go back!

Oh yes that is a long journey too! Thankfully the train for me is only 4 hours so not too bad but I know it will all be worth it in the end.
Sounds amazing, I am really looking forward to it now! And so lovely of them to give you the horse you love, that is really special of them.
Can I just fire some questions at you? You are the only person I have found that has actually been to NRC so bubbling with questions.

[ivandenisovich10]

Hi, I wenta few years ago and I was 26. At the time, I was the oldest there but there have been older, tho there were a few over 20s on my course. Was great fun and am still in contact with people there, staff and pupils and I too have one of their horses on a long term loan

[FestiveBoomBoom]

I went there in 2007 to do the conversion course, which was two weeks long and were made up of uni students on summer hols. It was brilliant, rode 2 lots per day and went on some fab trips. Horses were for the most part really good, although some were pretty sharp and still thought they were 3 yr old racehorses! I definitely got fitter too! Have a great time there

[imaginegenerous]

I did the conversion course as well (2008 I think) and really enjoyed it. Sadly haven't been able to make a career in racing but was a great experience, good instructors, horses, trips and lectures. I'd thoroughly recommend it.