Former England footballer Michael Owen will be behind the wheel in the ride and drive competition at Bolesworth International Horse Show (29 June to 3 July) as part of a new partnership agreement.

The former England striker turned racehorse owner/breeder has signed a deal with Bolesworth Estate to attend a number of events in the Cheshire venue’s calendar in 2022.

Michael will be the “headline name” at Bolesworth International. He will join 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy and other celebrities from the sport and entertainment worlds competing in the ride and drive on “speed and style day” (30 June).

“Bolesworth is a fabulous location with a superb event calendar running across the year – where there really is something for everyone to enjoy,” said Michael.

“I am looking forward to the partnership and to be taking part in the first big event at Bolesworth this summer.

“There is real synergy between Bolesworth and [my] Manor House Stables and I hope through this partnership there will be the opportunity to showcase horse racing and racehorse ownership to a new and interested audience.”

Bolesworth Estate managing director Nina Barbour said that Michael, owner of nearby Manor House Stables, is a “familiar face” at Bolesworth.

“It is wonderful that we have now taken this a step further,” said Nina, who added that Michael’s daughter, dressage rider Gemma Owen – who has recently entered the Love Island villa – has competed at Bolesworth in the past.

“I am really looking forward to welcoming Michael to a host of events throughout the year ahead – and to be competing with him too in our big season launch event.”

Riding a Dream Academy secures funding and expansion

The Riding a Dream Academy has secured three years’ seed funding by the Racing Foundation to expand its programmes following a successful pilot year.

The academy supports young riders aged 14 to 18 from diverse ethnic backgrounds, under-represented communities and urban equestrian centres get involved in racing.

It currently runs the year-long Khadijah Mellah Scholarship for riders, plus a riding-based residential week at the British Racing School (BRS).

A parent of one of the academy students said that the positive impact it has had on her daughter’s life is “immeasurable”.

“Her lifelong dream of training as a jockey has been made possible by this opportunity and I hope she can continue to work towards her goals now that this door has opened,” the parent said. “It has literally changed her life in ways I could not have made possible – I am for ever grateful.”

To date, 60% of the academy’s applicants, and 73% of students in the pilot year, are from diverse ethnic backgrounds. This compares to just 2% of jockeys and between 3 and 5% of individuals who currently go on the industry’s entry-level foundation course.

The academy has also announced that it will add a non-riding residential week to its rosta, catering for large numbers applying who lacked access to horses and sufficient riding experience, as well as regional weeks to take the academy out into communities. All programmes will be delivered by the BRS team.

“Being able to provide amazing opportunities to talented riders and young people with an interest in horse racing from a wide range of communities is at the heart of the academy,” said co-founder Naomi Lawson, who will move from her role of director of communications at Great British Racing to lead the academy.

“We are excited to be able to expand our programmes and reach many more individuals thanks to the Racing Foundation’s funding. The pilot has demonstrated the impact that the academy can have in making racing more diverse and inclusive with our students already working in the industry, applying for the foundation course and taking up other opportunities within the sport.”

ITV Racing’s Oli Bell, who co-founded the academy, said they are “incredibly grateful” to the Racing Foundation for its “enduring support” of the academy and sharing their vision of a more diverse and inclusive sport.

“The foundation has been with us from the start when they helped to fund the original Riding A Dream documentary, which followed Khadijah Mellah’s incredible story [to become the first Muslim woman to participate – and win – a horse race in Britain], through to our pilot year,” he said.

“For us to be in the position to support many other young people from diverse and under-represented backgrounds through their funding is a fitting legacy to all that Khadijah achieved and will help racing identify and support diverse talent from across the country.”

Bates continues support of Riders Minds

Bates Saddles is extending its support of Riders Minds for the second year.

Riders Minds’ focus is on supporting the mental health of horse riders of all levels through online resources and a free, confidential 24-hour phone and text service.

“As part of our commitment to the equestrian community, Bates Saddles are delighted to support Riders Minds to raise awareness and promote the importance of mental health,” said Bates Saddles managing director Ron Bates.

“Hopefully, this initiative will help riders recognise warning signs, manage their stress and find help when needed.”

Riders Minds is also supported by British Equestrian, TheraPlate, and Charles Owen.

Boodles extends Gold Cup sponsorship after ‘epic’ 2022

Jeweller Boodles is extending its sponsorship of the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival to 2023 and 2024.

Boodles managing director Michael Wainwright said the company’s board had “no hesitation” in extending its association following the success of the 2022 Gold Cup.

“After an epic build-up to this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup and then a wonderful day for the race itself, capped by the charismatic Rachael Blackmore being the first female jockey to win it, the Boodles board had no hesitation in extending our association by another two years,” he said.

“The whole experience was fabulous exposure for Boodles, and for me personally it provided one of the best days of my life.”

Boodles is also extending its sponsorship of the Boodles juvenile handicap hurdle at the Festival, which it has supported since 2018, for a further two years and gains further sponsorship rights across the Jockey Club.

Ian Renton, managing director for Cheltenham racecourse and the Jockey Club’s west region, said: “I am thrilled that Boodles has decided to further extend its relationship with the Festival by agreeing to sponsor the next two renewals of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

“After enjoying a record attendance this year, the 2023 running of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place on St Patrick’s Day and the great race celebrates its centenary in 2024, so I am sure there are some truly memorable days ahead.

“Boodles is now approaching a decade of involvement with the Festival and hopefully has reaped the benefits of its association with the four biggest days in jump racing.

“Coverage of the Festival seems to start earlier and be more extensive with each passing year and it was a milestone moment this year when the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup received its first broadcast on national television in the USA.

“We look forward to continuing to work alongside the team at Boodles with their tremendous passion and commitment as well all our other partners, both old and new, in the coming times ahead.”

NAF supports Hartpury summer fixtures

NAF is continuing its support of major summer equestrian fixtures at Hartpury University and College this year.

The supplement brand returns as title sponsor of Hartpury’s Festival of Dressage (5-10 July), Showjumping Spectacular (26-29 June) and the international horse trials (10-14 August).

Eloise Chugg-Martin, UK sponsorship and events manager for NAF, said the fixtures are “such a principal part of our events calendar”.

“We’re thrilled to welcome competitors new and returning, along with spectators, and are looking forward to a jam-packed summer of quality sport around Hartpury’s impressive venue,” she said.

Phillip Cheetham, equine director at Hartpury, added that NAF is a “hugely important part of the Hartpury family and is synonymous with equestrianism at Hartpury”.

“It’s a privilege to be aligned with a brand that is instantly recognisable and trusted by so many equestrians, as well as being a leading champion of clean sport,” he said.

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A teenager who learnt to ride in inner-city London has taken a major step towards his goal of being a jockey by becoming the first Riding A Dream Academy student to graduate from the British Racing School’s foundation course.

Oshane, 16, from southeast London, learnt to ride at Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, and joined the foundation course in December 2021.

He was one of the first students on the academy’s Khadijah Mellah Scholarship programme, which supports young riders from underrepresented communities get into British horse racing.

“I loved the scholarship and really enjoyed the foundation course, but it was a lot of hard work,” said Oshane.

“You get up at 6am to look after the horses and are busy all day. I loved riding all the different horses, particularly the challenging ones, and I really liked a horse called The Gay Cavalier – I just liked his way and his intelligence.

“I went back to London for a few days before starting on my yard placement and London is boring by comparison – usually you would be busy the whole time in Newmarket so I am looking forward to getting started.”

Broadcaster Oli Bell, who founded the Riding A Dream Academy alongside Great British Racing’s Naomi Lawson, said they are “all so proud” of what Oshane has achieved and “can’t wait to follow his career”.

“I first saw him at Ebony Horse Club a few years ago, and for him to have grown into the stylish rider he is today and be riding racehorses is so exciting,” said Oli.

“Oshane is the perfect example of how the Riding A Dream Academy can support young riders into the racing industry and our hope is that he is the first of many young people from the academy who go on to pursue a career in the sport.”

The academy, funded by the Racing Foundation, is based at the British Racing School in Newmarket. Demand for its programmes, which include the scholarship and a residential week, have outstripped places nearly four times over.

It aims to help racing become more diverse and inclusive and to support young people from underrepresented communities, disadvantaged backgrounds and diverse ethnic backgrounds get into racing.

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A London teenager who was born with one hand has successfully graduated from the British Racing School (BRS) as he pushes towards his dream of becoming a jockey.

Harry Enright, 17, undertook a nine-week course at the BRS, before returning to complete an 18-week foundation course and has now joined trainer Lawney Hill’s yard as a work rider.

The BRS, Steve Cox and the team at Dorset Orthopaedic, and Harry worked together to create a prosthetic hand that allows him to safely ride racehorses.

“The prosthetic is made of silicon which slides on to my arm and there is a magnet at the end which attaches to the reins. A power circuit keeps it in place and if I fall off the circuit is broken, releasing the magnet so that I don’t get caught up in the reins [and] dragged along,” Harry explained.

“When I was younger I was quite into football and it got to the point where I thought I could either continue playing that, work in an office or try to make something of myself. I’ve always loved horses and decided I wanted to take that further and get into racing so I came to the British Racing School. There is Guy Disney who rides with a lower limb prosthetic, but we weren’t aware of anyone else who rode with a prosthetic arm.”

Harry added: “Everyone has their bigger goal of where they want to be. The biggest goal for me is probably trying to be a jockey. For now, I’m just taking it step by step.

“My next goal was to get into the workplace and I’ve achieved that and now it’s just continuing to move forwards towards my dreams.”

Harry’s love of horses can be traced back to sitting on a donkey at eight months old while on holiday in Ireland. When he decided he wanted to pursue a career in racing, his parents turned to the BRS.

Andrew Braithwaite, finance director at the BRS, who has been instrumental in developing the bespoke prosthetic, said they needed to find a solution that kept both Harry safe and as well as all the other horses and riders around him.

“The key was to find a solution that didn’t require the horses to adapt to the way Harry was riding,” he said.

“Thanks to Harry’s determination and natural ability this has been achieved. It has been great to see him successfully complete the course and go on to full-time employment.”

The team is continuing to develop and improve the prosthetic.

Harry’s mother, Michelle, said they are all “extremely proud” of him.

“Behind all of this for him is to inspire others like him to never give up on your dreams to really put yourself out there and keep trying,” she said.

“We’re in the 21st century and he wants to show that anything is possible. We are so proud of him with his determination to fight for the dream that he wants.”

Lawney added that Harry is “hard-working, cheeky and dedicated, and he’s determined not to let anything get in his way”.

“We are so impressed with his riding ability and his manner with the horses and he has been a brilliant addition to our team since he has joined us,” she said.

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A new academy to bring horses and ponies to those who would otherwise not have access to them is to launch in Newmarket in April.

The Newmarket Pony Academy (NPA) will be based at the British Racing School and has been working with local schools, West Suffolk Council, Godolphin and the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust.

“Despite being the headquarters of racing, Newmarket does not currently provide an opportunity for its young people to learn to ride unless they are fortunate enough to have family involvement,” the NPA said in a statement, adding that it “seeks to change this”.

The NPA will host one-week courses for year six pupils to introduce them to ponies while helping them to engage in core subjects on the school curriculum, and has also pledged to “provide the opportunity to re-establish” a Newmarket Riding For the Disabled Association group.

It will be home to breakfast, after-school and holiday clubs for at-risk young people, who have been identified by teachers and social workers as likely to face challenges as they move to secondary school or are at a risk of being drawn into criminality.

As well as this, it will have a one-day per week course for students from the Newmarket Academy Polaris centre, which provides bespoke education for young people of secondary school age with communication and interaction needs.

“Horses are the fabric of Newmarket, but the majority of children growing up here have no opportunity to even touch one. We believe we have a responsibility to change that and make the positives of involvement with horses available to as many people as possible,” said Penny Taylor, UK charities manager at Godolphin.

The NPA will also work in partnership with existing city riding clubs, such as The Urban Equestrian Academy in Leicester and Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, with residential weeks at the British Racing School to learn about racehorses and the industry.

British Racing School finance director Andrew Braithwaite thanked the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Trust and Godolphin for their support.

“The case for racing becoming more open and inclusive is clear and the NPA will allow us and the wider industry to give young people a real insight into horseracing regardless of their background and, for those bitten by the bug, a route into the industry,” said Mr Braithwaite.

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Students from Newmarket Academy and Sybil Andrews Academy took part in the NPA’s pilot and the schools’ executive headteacher Nick Froy said they returned to school with “increased positivity and confidence”.

“I am convinced that engaging with the NPA will be a transformational activity for the young people of Newmarket and its surrounding areas that will make a real difference to their futures,” he added.

West Suffolk Council leader Cllr John Griffiths said this is a “great project” of “real benefit for young people in Newmarket” and he hopes it will help “many young people learn new skills and gain confidence, both now and in later life”.

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Former Flat jockey Richard Perham on talent-spotting, and swimming a Derby runner alongside hippos in Kenya

At the British Racing School, we train and assess young jockeys for amateur and professional licences. The curriculum has evolved to include sports science, substance abuse, race-day procedures, simulator sessions, studying form, diet, nutrition, and cooking over two weeks.

We’re trying to promote jockeys seeing themselves as professional athletes. Simon Milton is a former footballer who lectures here about making the most of your career. He says athletes should only fail in professional sport through lack of ability – rather than not being fit enough or under-prepared.

My simulator isn’t motorised or spring-loaded; every forward and back movement is from your push. I’ve taken away everything you can balance on other than stirrups. You learn to be so balanced you’re not compromising the horse.

I raced in Saudi Arabia one winter. Willie Carson came to ride in the King’s Cup and invited me to his hotel for dinner. I was quite starstruck, he’d ridden four Derby winners, he was an absolute god in the weighing room. I sat and listened for hours. He said, “You’ve got to do something, or your career will flatline.” That’s what happened. I was getting opportunities to ride in good races but couldn’t take the next jump up, I wasn’t outgoing enough.

The soft skills are important; 50% of what you do is based on your physical attributes, but a lot of sport is played in the mind, as well as dealing with owners, trainers, media, now social media, presenting yourself. The riding’s a doddle!

My favourite horse was Desert Green. I rode a Glorious Goodwood winner on him, but I’d be happier with four rides at Salisbury than Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas. It was less pressure. Worlds away, I also rode in Kenya and swam my Kenyan Derby horse in the lake, bareback in shorts, two days before the race. Afterwards I asked why the assistant trainer was throwing pebbles in the water and was told, “To keep the hippo away”.

It took me 10 years after I retired before I could even look at a sauna; just the smell of the dry wood made me feel sick. I will not go near a bath, after all that time sitting in a hot bath in a sweatsuit and bobble hat, sucking an ice cube.

I’m proud of what I did as a jockey, but I’m disappointed I didn’t do better. Now I see my mistakes and share them with my students; I wasn’t ever fit enough.

Some young jockeys just stand out. Richard Hughes, son of champion jockey and trainer Dessie Hughes, was three-time champion jockey and is now a successful trainer. He came to Richard Hannon’s yard at 18, where I was an apprentice.

A senior jockey said to me, “Dickie boy, watch him. He’s been sitting around the breakfast, lunch and dinner table with owners, trainers and jockeys since he was two. He knows the time of day.”

Five years back, Tom Marquand jumped out more than anybody. I knew him through pony racing and, even when he was 14 I thought “wow”. He has everything required; he’s a good person, likeable, intelligent, enthusiastic, curious, the right physique, he could ride, and he had the mental ability to want to do it without being arrogant. He’s the next champion jockey in waiting.

More recently, trainer Jamie Osborne’s daughter, Saffie, has got most of what we’re looking for. I like to see them coming through the pony racing circuit, like Formula One drivers starting in karting.

Times are changing; Hollie Doyle is a jockey, not a lady jockey. Hollie and Tom Marquand have been an item since their days of pony racing. They feed professionalism and brilliance off each other. Apparently their first kiss was here on pony racing camp behind the theatre.

Ref Horse & Hound; 6 August 2020

Five years is a relatively long time for any of us, but for point-to-point rider, George Henderson, the past five years have been frustratingly slow as he battled to get back in the saddle following a “silly accident”.

Rewind the clock to 2014 and George had just graduated from the University of Reading and, with 21 pointing wins already under his belt, he was an aspiring jockey too.

In June that year, George slipped from a roof and sustained horrific injuries, including a broken lower back and pelvis, which could have been catastrophically worse.

“I spent a month in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, before having intense rehabilitation at the Injured Jockeys Fund’s [IJF] Oaksey House in Lambourn — I was lucky it wasn’t worse,” said George, who now works full-time in London and rides out racehorses at the weekend.

With the help of the IJF, George got back into the saddle but it was then that his battle to make a race-riding comeback began. With his injuries affecting his balance, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) would not pass him fit to ride in point-to-points, and he spent the next few years fighting his cause to get back riding between the flags.

“It has been a very long process, but I kept fit by doing plenty of team chasing and hunt rides. I had to watch my brother, Fred, pick up rides while I was sat on the sidelines — it was frustrating,” said the 26-year-old.

After four-and-a-half years, George went for extensive tests at the British Racing School in Newmarket with senior jockey coach Richard Perham.

“Fortunately, the tests showed my balance was much better and Richard was happy enough, so the BHA let me have my licence back,” added George.

His comeback ride was in a hunter chase at Taunton in January aboard Newsworthy for his father and trainer James, where the pair finished second.

George hit the winning jackpot on only his second ride back since May 2014, winning on 12/1 shot The Caller for trainer Dougie Gittins at Cocklebarrow point-to-point (27 January).

“It meant a lot to have a win on just my second ride back — Fred and I now squabble over who rides what and I was lucky I picked up the phone to this one! Dougie is an old university friend of mine and was supposed to ride the horse himself but had an injury setback,” he said.

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Former star striker Michael Owen took his first — and second — tumble during preparations for his race-riding debut.

The retired England footballer was on the gallops at the British Racing School in Newmarket when the horse he was riding spooked and spun, depositing Michael on the floor before trotting off to eat grass.

Minutes later, Michael’s mount left him on his backside for a second time.

Both horse and rider were fine and Michael remounted to continue with the assessment day ahead of the Prince’s Countryside Fund charity race at Ascot on 24 November.

He admitted afterwards the transition from owner to jockey is proving tougher than he first thought.

“Today was really insightful and, if anything, it has brought me on a lot but also put me back a couple of strides because it was the first time I’ve fallen off of a horse – twice!” said Michael, adding training for the race has been “a big learning curve”.

“It’s made me think that they’re not machines.

“I’ve been doing some practice back at home and it felt very easy and I thought I would breeze it.

“Today, there’s been wide open spaces, horses you don’t know and it’s been very, very different.

“It’s made me think to myself that I need to do some hard work between now and Ascot.”

Michael, who only sat on a horse for the first time this year, will be riding one of his own racehorses in the charity race.

He tweeted on 1 November that he had 24lb to lose in 24 days to make the weight for his race-riding debut.

Leading event rider Harry Meade, Ledbury Hunt master Louise Daly and Qatar racing chief Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani are also among the 11 riders taking part.

Michael also took part in the standard fitness test, which included planks, squats on balance boards and a bleep test.

“It was a tough fitness test, it was obviously specific to what you’re going to be doing so some of it was not what I would have normally done in my career,” he added.

“A lot of strength work and balance and posture and core, work on your thighs, so it was interesting and quite punishing at times actually.”

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Michael’s love of racing is well known — he is a prominent racehorse owner and landlord of Manor House Stables in Cheshire, from which Tom Dascombe has trained since 2009.

Among his stable stars was Brown Panther, who Michael bred and owned. The horse won the 2015 Dubai World Cup, the 2011 King George V stakes at Royal Ascot and the 2013 Goodwood Cup.

“I found in life that a lot of things look easy on the eye,” said Michael.

“You go to a stadium or you watch on TV and everything looks quite easy, and then you try and do it yourself and you think it’s quite hard.

“Then you see the jockeys up close and what they do and it’s nigh-on impossible.

“It’s people at the very top of their games and very top of their sports and they are exceptional at it.

“I think you can only get that respect from trying it yourself and realising how difficult it is and then when you consider they’re half your weight and controlling half a ton of animal.

“It’s fascinating how good they are and how difficult it has been to understand how to do it.”

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Most famous for his skills on the football pitch, Michael Owen faced a new challenge when top Flat jockey Ryan Moore put him through his paces aboard a racehorse simulator, during his first ‘riding lesson’.

The former England international footballer has always had a passion for racing and owns numerous racehorses. He bred and owned the former Tom Dascombe-trained stable star Brown Panther, who won the 2015 Dubai Gold Cup. He also owns the impressive training establishment, Manor House Stables, in Cheshire.

During the session held at the British Racing School in Newmarket, Michael rode the equivalent of the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes — a six-furlong race held on Champions Day at Ascot (15 October) — on a fast-moving mechanical horse.

Even for a former top sportsperson, like Michael, it appeared to be a tough workout and the 36-year-old was evidently surprised at how much hard work it was.

“Ryan Moore is one of the best jockeys in the world so who better to give me my first riding lesson? As a lifelong racing fan, I knew that the job of a jockey wasn’t easy, but as a former professional sportsman I was surprised by just how tough it was,” said Michael.

“Even though it was only for a few minutes it left my legs feeling like jelly. Having someone like Ryan next to me making it look like a walk in the park really shows the level of strength and fitness these guys have.”

Luckily, three-time champion Flat jockey Ryan was on hand to give some much-needed advice.

“Teaching an ex-international footballer how to ride was a first. As Michael said, when you are a professional, it’s hard to get into the mind frame of a complete beginner, but we got there with the basics,” he added.

Will a charity race be next on Michael Owen’s bucket list? Watch this space…

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The name and a first look at designs of the Injured Jockeys Fund’s (IJF) new rehabilitation and fitness centre have been revealed.

The centre, to open at the British Racing School (BRS) in Newmarket in 2018, will be called Peter O’Sullevan House after the legendary “voice of racing” who died last year aged 97.

Sir Peter was a supporter of the IJF — H&H’s 2016 charity of the year — and a “substantial opening grant” was given to the project from The Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust.

This will take the number of IJF centres to three — the others being Oaksey House in Lambourn and Jack Berry House in Malton.

“We are extremely grateful to The Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust for their generous donation to this exciting project,” said IJF chief executive Lisa Hancock.

“The name Peter O’Sullevan House is a fitting tribute to one of racing’s most respected figures.

“It also sits extremely well alongside Lord Oaksey and Jack Berry, all three of them dedicated and passionate charity campaigners.”

Peter O’Sullevan House will have state-of-the-art rehabilitation and fitness facilities and will also house the IJF head office.

“We are determined to ensure that Peter’s name lives on in those areas he was so passionately committed to supporting,” said Nigel Payne on behalf of the Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust trustees.

“When we were approached by the Injured Jockeys Fund we knew that here was a project which suited this objective perfectly.”

Work is set to begin on the new centre later this year.

Related articles:

• Coach to take on gruelling Ironman Wales in aid of paralysed jockey
• Jockeys to go head to head over showjumps at Olympia
• How the IJF helped a former jockey and trainer who needed 14 operations to rebuild his skull

Grant Harris, CEO of the BRS, added the name is a “wonderful tribute to a true legend of our sport”.

“All involved in this project thank the charitable trust for its grant towards the building of what promises to be a fantastic asset to Newmarket,” said Mr Harris.

“The BRS is so proud to be part of this project. It will enhance the offering at the school by giving those attending courses the ability to use the state-of-the-art facilities at Peter O’Sullevan House.

“The synergy is obvious to all.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Despite the overall number of riders falling over the past few years, figures show “significant growth” in young people riding.

The British Equestrian Trade Association’s 2015 survey found the number of riders aged between 16 and 24 had risen from 368,000 in 2011 to 403,000 in 2015 — an increase of 35,000.

This was despite total rider numbers dropping from 3.5m to 2.7m.

The Pony Club and riding schools have long served as introductions to the equestrian world for young riders.

With more than 28,000 members in the UK in 2014, the Pony Club is invaluable for young horse enthusiasts. As well as these, it has more than 14,000 centre members across the world — these are young riders without their own horse or pony who ride at a riding school linked to the Pony Club.

But alongside this, individual sporting bodies are coming up with their own ways of supporting young riders too.

Opportunities for all

Racing leads the way in giving young people from all backgrounds a solid entry into the industry.

The British Racing School (BRS), founded in 1983, has trained more than 3,500 young people on its level two diploma (formally NVQ2) course, who have gone on to work in the industry.

This figure does not include those who have completed the school’s other courses.

The apprenticeship diploma, funded by the government and the racing industry, welcomes students from all walks of life.

Operations manager Clare Kingston told H&H it is “really important” to the BRS that the training remains free for the students.

“The majority of the population come from urban areas and might not have access to horses,” she told H&H. “But that doesn’t mean they cannot learn to love the sport, regardless of personal experience and financial situation.”

In total, the BRS has 42 courses currently advertised on its website — ranging from summer camps to courses in bookkeeping right up to obtaining various jockey licences.

At the younger end is the pony racing academy, for eight- to 15-year-olds. Funded by the Racing Foundation and individual sponsors, the 12-week scheme is again free.

“This is a really important way to allow children that would not normally be involved in racing to have free training,” Ms Kingston said.

The Northern Racing College also offers free tuition on its 12-week residential foundation course — open to complete beginners and experienced riders. Like the BRC, it also runs other programmes.

The idea of making racing more accessible is also being developed by the Pony Racing Authority (PRA).

The PRA was founded in 2007 as a governing body for the sport. In 2014, it started a youth scheme for 11- to 14-year-olds who do not have their own ponies.

Currently, it has schemes running in Gloucester and Banbury, and aims to establish more in other cities, such as Glasgow. Of the five children on the first scheme, one is now a point-to-point jockey and three others work in the industry.

“None of them would have gone into racing without this scheme because they did not know about the sport,” PRA’s Clarissa Daly told H&H.

“Some of the children we are getting now have been riding in Pony Club centres, looking for something else to do.”

She added it is “vital” the scheme remains free for the benefit of the children, industry and pony racing as a whole.

“By giving these children an opportunity, even if they just do one race, they have had a taste of something they would not have had a chance to do otherwise,” she said.

Sporting success

Last year the British squad at the pony European Dressage Championships made history by winning team gold — the first time Team GBR has won at this level.

The British Young Riders’ Dressage Scheme, set up in the 1980s, provides support and training for all members at their own level from the age of six.

“I would hope there is something for everybody,” said British Dressage’s (BD) Karen Ryder. “I think it is very important to give that support, especially at the lower levels and for the younger riders.

“It takes the pressure off a little bit: they can compete against others at the same level as them — it is meant to be fun.”

As well as this, BD has support for riders who want to “go professional”.

The organisation is also trying to find a way of supporting keen youngsters who may not have their own horse.

“It is not easy,” she said. “We are looking at having riding schools more involved.”

Over the past 30 years the British youth eventing squads have won more than 100 medals at European level.

British Eventing’s (BE) Chris Farr said the youth teams have been “phenomenally successful”.

“It is absolutely essential to have a fully-supported and well structured process for any rider coming in,” he told H&H.

He said the opportunities for young people coming into the sport have expanded and developed.

Formerly called the junior regional novice (JRN) initiative, the under-18 programme has regional training and competitions for riders from the age of 12 — but you do need your own horse. There is also a clear route for riders to move to high-performance schemes and aim for international teams.

BE launched its charitable arm in 2014 to give both members and non-members, of all ages, more training opportunities.

“The Try Eventing days and the Go BE80/90 courses are all intended at welcoming and introducing people to the sport,” Mr Farr added.

What next?

Like dressage and eventing, British Showjumping (BS) has schemes to support young people in the sport.

London 2012 gold medallist Peter Charles recently raised the idea of helping young riders to reach the top end of the sport, by showcasing their talent where the right owners and sponsors will see them.

He suggested that Olympia’s under-23s championship be expanded into a full “young lions” tour (comment, 11 February).

His idea is to run classes for talented young riders at some of the bigger shows, like Hickstead, Olympia and Windsor.

“Young up-and-coming talent is always interesting,” he told H&H. “If these youngsters could be seen alongside the seniors at senior shows, their exposure would be greater.”

Ref: H&H 3 March, 2016

Plans to build a state-of-the-art rehabilitation and fitness centre for riders in Newmarket are being discussed by H&H’s charity of the year, the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF).

It follows the success of Oaksey House in Lambourn, opened in 2009, and Jack Berry House in Malton, Yorkshire, which opened its doors in 2015. Both centres have played pivotal roles in rehabilitation and maintaining day-to-day fitness for jockeys, stable staff and other equestrians.

“We are at the very early stages of exploring what might be achievable. We would love to be able to offer jockeys in Newmarket a similar level of support to that of Oaksey House and Jack Berry House. We also hope to be able to work really closely with the other charities already based in Newmarket,” said Lisa Hancock, CEO of the IJF.

The charity, which has spent around £18million helping over 1,000 jockeys since it was founded in 1964, is working closely with the Newmarket-based British Racing School.

The proposal to bring a new rehabilitation centre and gym facilities for jockeys to the town — recognised as the headquarters of British horse racing — is in its initial planning stages.

“We are delighted to be working with the IJF. Both Oaksey House and Jack Berry House provide invaluable support and it would be wonderful to offer the same range of facilities here,” said the British Racing School’s CEO Grant Harris.

“For our part we are in desperate need of a new gym for our trainees and other [racing industry] courses, so this seems a perfect fit.

“There is much work to do and no fixed dates yet, but we can use the IJF’s knowledge from the previous two builds to move quite fast.”

The Injured Jockeys Fund is Horse & Hound’s charity of the year for 2016. To donate click here.

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I recently joined five other budding point-to-point jockeys for an afternoon of training with Yogi Breisner at the British Racing School in Newmarket — sharpening up our technique over a fence and learning the secret to jumping a horse at speed successfully.

Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the action-packed day…

The spotless stableyard

The main yard at the British Racing School is surrounded by a number of American barns. Many of the horses at the racing school have had careers on the track and are loaned to them for use as schoolmasters.

Meeting my steed

I am introduced to my mount for the afternoon, Masters Blazing — a six-year-old gelding formerly trained by John Ryan.

Starting in the sand school

Yogi puts up two hurdles in the sand school and gets us trotting through them first, to give the horses a chance to have a look and get any spooks out of the way.

Lower leg position

We are all told to keep the lower leg pushed forward, to maintain a good position and balance. “If your lower leg is coming back before the jump, it means you don’t have true balance and are pinching with your knee,” he explains.

Continued below…

9 reasons to head to a point-to-point ASAP

Here are nine reasons to wrap up warm and head to your local point-to-point this season

Staying low in the saddle

Staying low in the saddle will keep the forward momentum coming into a fence, then release the hands over the jump — as Yogi demonstrates.

Putting Yogi’s words into practice

Masters Blazing and I have a school over the hurdles before Yogi tells me to shorten my stirrup leathers — this helps me get lower in the saddle approaching the fence.

The schooling ground

We then head out to the schooling ground where there are three hurdles in a straight line — Yogi wants us to practise getting the horses to jump at speed and out of their strides.

Sit tight!

Masters Blazing puts in an exuberant jump a stride too early and my lower leg practice comes into play — is that a smile or a grimace?

Riding upsides

Yogi gets us jumping upsides each other — Tommy (nearside) and Louise pair up, with Lucinda behind.

Jumping out of their strides

Izzy (nearside) and Harriet demonstrate jumping at speed. “Well done,” Yogi says at the end. “You all got them jumping nicely out of their strides.”

Read the full race riding masterclass with Yogi Breisner in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale 24 December.

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Budding point-to-point riders can hone their skills in a new training scheme run by the British Racing School (BRS).

The course builds on the BRS’ current one-day point-to-point training courses and the pony racing academy for young riders.

Aimed at competent riders with lots of jumping experience, the course will be run over six to eight Sunday mornings at the BRS’ Newmarket headquarters.

The course includes schooling over steeplechase fences and a talk on buying a racehorse by a bloodstock agent and point-to-point commentator Matt Coleman.

There are also optional visits to local point-to-point meetings at Higham and Ampton with a supervised course walk.

Riders will be also given simulator training and video reviews of each of them in action.

“In addition to race-riding training, the course will include fitness assessments, briefings on rules and regulations and the required tack and equipment,” said the BRS’ Andrew Braithwaite.

“Our aim is to be able to give true amateur riders the chance to see if point-to-pointing is for them.”

Backing from the Point-to-Point Authority enables all riders who complete the course to be granted a free riders qualification certificate for either the 2014/15 or 2015/16 season – a saving of £200.

The new Point-to-Point Academy course costs £350 and starts in February 2015.

Anyone interested should contact Andrew Braithwaite at Andrew.Braithwaite@brs.org.uk or tel: 01638 665103.

Love pointing? Don’t miss the H&H point-to-point special, out Thursday 27 November.

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The British Racing School (BRS) in Newmarket had a special visit from the chief inspector of education, Sir Michael Wilshaw, last week (28 October).

Sir Michael went to the school to see the young jockeys in training, as well as visiting trainers in the town — Sir Michael Stoute and David Simcock — who are employing students on the BRS apprenticeship programme.

BRS chairman Martin Mitchell presented Sir Michael with a shoe from Our Vic, a retired Grade One-winning chaser who now lives at the BRS.

On the same day as Sir Michael’s visit, three riders from the BRS’s fifth pony racing academy graduated in style at the Pony Club racing day at Lingfield Park.

The first on the track was 15-year-old Oliver Daykin aboard Along Came Belle. The Bedfordshire-based young jockey had been going to the BRS every Saturday for the past 14 weeks for training.

In a hotly-run race Oliver came in a creditable fifth carrying the colours of Sheikh Hamdam al Maktoum.

The two other BRS academy riders, Kate Maplethorpe and Jack Abbey, did battle in the final mile-long race.

Kate Maplethorpe, riding Worth the Wait in the Niarchos family colours, finished third and Jack on Time Will Tell came home fifth in Charles Wentworth’s colours.

The pony racing academy was started three years ago and many of the children that have been through are “now intent on pursuing a future career in the racing industry,” said BRS operations manager Clare Higgins.

The academy gives children aged 13-15 tuition on the school’s racing ponies over 12 consecutive Sundays from 8am to 12noon.

Along with race-riding lessons, students will be tutored in horse management and how to prepare a pony for the races.

The course is free and is open to children who are competent at walk, trot and canter and weigh under 9st 7lbs (60kg).

The next pony racing academy starts on the 22 November.

More information here

Ellen Svennerstal has been appointed as sales and marketing assistant at Keyflow Feeds.

The 22-year-old event rider competes at three-star with her horse, Southway, and has represented Sweden on several occasions.

Keyflow’s Cam Price said: “We are really excited to have Ellen on the team. The combination of business training and practical equestrian knowledge and experience will be hugely valuable to Keyflow.”

Nigel Laughton is the new chief executive for Pentathlon GB.

Nigel has 17 years’ experience working in elite sport and joins the organisation in November.

He comes to Pentathlon GB after three years as performance director of British Skeleton.

“I am honoured to have been offered this incredible opportunity in the lead-up to Rio 2016 and beyond,” said Nigel.

The Society of Master Saddlers has a new president — Peter Wilkes.

Well-known throughout the industry as head of Vale Brothers, Peter is passionate about excellence in saddlery craftsmanship, saddle fitting and the development and progress of the industry as a whole.

Peter takes over from Helen Dart, with Laura Dempsey moving into the vice president role.

“It is important that we never let go of our traditional craftsmanship while also adopting and looking into new manufacturing processes,” he said.

“I am starting my term feeling confident that consumers are buying again and it looks set to be a very positive time for all involved.”

Norbrook Laboratories has appointed Mark Brady as national sales manager for trade in Britain.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the animal health industry, he was most recently with Pfizer, which is now Zoetis.

Norbrook is a British veterinary pharmaceutical company set up in 1968 by the late Lord Ballyedmond.

Rory MacDonald has officially retired from his position as chief executive of the British Racing School in Newmarket after 22 years.

He has been succeeded by Grant Harris.

Grant Harris has previously worked for the National Trainers’ Federation, the British Horseracing Board and Weatherbys.

“I am honoured and proud to have been given the opportunity to carry on the great work Rory and the BRS team have achieved over the past 20 years that has led to the School’s reputation as a world-class training provider,” he said.

“We will strive to continue to improve the quality of training and trainees for the industry in this country and wider afield.”

Champion Chase-winning is jockey Jamie Moore the new “jumps ambassador” for the London region of Jockey Club Racecourses.

“It is a pleasure to be working with Sandown Park and Kempton Park racecourses as their ambassador for the coming season,” he said.

“They are two tracks that I enjoy riding at and I have been lucky enough to have had some great successes at both, so I feel honoured to have been asked to take on this role.”

Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre’s board of Trustees has announced a management restructure which will see the new role of chief executive created at the charity.

The current roles of operations director and fund raiser will be replaced with the chief executive and an executive assistant.

“This is a time of great opportunity and change for the TRC as we move into the next three-year strategic plan,” said chairman of Trustees, Brian Acott.

There have been a number of staff changes at Cumbria-based equestrian lick manufacturer, Horslyx.

Horslyx product and sales manager, Gillian Neill, is now on maternity leave and Nick Mackley, who recently joined the team as UK north sales manager, will be covering.

Becky Brennan has now been appointed as UK north sales manager.

Longstanding Horslyx team member, Anita Watson, will be leaving the company this autumn and Jonathan Bagg has been appointed as export manager.

Dengie has employed a new thoroughbred specialist and sales manager for Ireland.

Former National Hunt jockey Padge Whelan is joining the company and has has extentsive experience of the thoroughbred sector, thanks to a successful racing career that saw him ride more than 120 winners.

Dengie national sales manager Chris Allen said: “We are pleased to welcome Padge to the team. We are confident that, with his high level of knowledge, enthusiasm and drive, he will be a tremendous asset to the Dengie brand as he works to develop our potential in Ireland.”

Graduates of the British Racing School can have the chance to spend four months with a trainer in South Africa or Australia.

Applications are now open for the Fred Packard Scholarship for graduates of the Newmarket school.

Trainers in the UK are urged to nominate eligible staff members.

The scholarship winner will spend up to four months with one of the country’s leading trainers to gain valuable experience of life in a racing yard, with travel, salary and an expenses allowance provided under the terms of the prize.

Recent winners of the Fred Packard Scholarship include Laura Morgan, an employee of Chris Bealby, and Catrin Eynon, from Colin Tizzard’s yard. Both spent time in Australia with Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody.

Visit: www.brs.org.uk

This news story was first published in H&H magazine on 18 September 2014

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The Oxford v Cambridge boat race has been a staple of the sporting calendar since 1829, but next month teams from the rival universities will go head-to-head in a horse race at Newmarket.

The 8f Flat race on 17 October will feature 10 riders.

Seven riders from Cambridge and seven from Oxford are currently training at the British Racing School in Newmarket and at the Injured Jockeys Fund’s Oaksey House in Lambourn to prepare them for the test. The final five from each university will be announced next month.

The idea came from student Harry Beckett, who hopes it will become an annual event.

“I’ve spent two years trying to get this race off the ground so I’m delighted to see it come to fruition,” he said. “I hope this is the start of a real connection between racecourses and students.”

Riders come from the universities’ riding and polo clubs, which meet annually at the varsity polo and combined training matches.

They have varied backgrounds including riding club, Pony Club, showjumping, hunting and eventing.

“It’s a brilliant addition to the existing varsity sporting competitions and one that hopefully will be part of history for years to come,” said Oli Lawrence, captain of the Cambridge team.

Oxford’s Lizzy Hamilton added; “Rivalry between the universities goes back so many centuries and we cannot wait to compete against Cambridge on the racecourse.”

This news story was first published in H&H magazine on 18 September 2014

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The British Racing School has launched a new website.

The new site has more information about the racing school, such as details about the 30 courses they run and jobs within the industry.

It lists information for in all areas of industry for aspiring grooms, racing secretaries, jockeys and even trainers, all the careers advice and course training information you need is available on the new site.

The BRS is based in Newmarket.

For in more information visit: www.brs.org.uk

Grant Harris has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of the British Racing School (BRS). Mr Harris has industry experience having spent the last 11 years  as business development director at Weatherbys. “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead the team at the British Racing School,” Mr Harris said. “It is a world-class operation that I have been a small part of and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

The Jockey Club has appointed Jeff Randall as non-executive director of Sandown Park Racecourse. The former Sky presenter took up his role at the climax of the jumps season at Sandown racecourse on Saturday (26 April) “I am delighted to be joining the board at Sandown Park, one of my favourite racecourses,”Mr Randall said. “Thanks to my late father, I was introduced to the sport in the early 1970s and it has been a source of huge enjoyment ever since. Now, through my involvement with The Jockey Club, I have a chance to give something back. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Martin Wood has been announced as the 2014 president of The Ponies Association (UK) Supreme Championships to be held at Stoneleigh Park (8-10 August). This will be the second year the event will be held at Stoneleigh Park.

The British Racing School (BRS) is taking applications for its Pony Racing Academy. The next 12-week course begins in December, following interviews on Saturday 26 October.

The Pony Racing Academy enables children aged between 13 and 15 to gain first-class tuition on the school’s racing ponies over 12 consecutive Saturdays.

The course is open to children who do not have their own ponies and would not otherwise have the opportunity to become involved with the fast-growing sport of pony racing.

Each session takes place at the BRS in Newmarket from 8am to 12pm. Besides race-riding lessons, students are tutored on horse management, feeding, and every aspect of preparing a pony for the races.

Students who have attained a suitable standard of riding by the end of the course may be offered the chance to take part in a pony race on one of the school’s ponies.

The course, which is funded by individual benefactors of the British Racing School, is free of charge and open to children who are already competent at walk, trot and canter. Applicants must weigh less than 9st 7lbs (60kg), be physically fit and be able to commit to attending each of the 12 weekly sessions.

“We’ve had a tremendous response since starting the Pony Racing Academy 2 years ago,” said BRS finance director Gemma Waterhouse.

“There are plenty of children out there who are cracking young riders that otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to get involved with pony racing, which has become so popular in recent years.

“The benefit to those children who have already been through the academy has been obvious, with a number of them now intent on pursuing a future career in the racing industry.

“We are immensely grateful to our individual sponsors who have provided the funding to make this happen.”

For information or to obtain an application form, contact Sarah Hayde-Salter on tel: 01638 665103 or Sarah@brs.org.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

More than 50 children attended the pony racing “Buzz Day” in Newmarket last weekend (12 October) designed to give children an insight into the sport.

The British Racing School invited children aged 8 to 15 — with no previous involvement with pony racing — to come and have a taste of what was involved.

The day’s activities included riding the racing simulators with former Flat jockey Michael Tebbuttfall and fall training with Champion Hurdle-winning jockey Steve Smith Eccles.

The children also saw a demonstration of tacking up for the races and had a tour of the classrooms, stables and gallops of the British Racing School.

“We were very pleased with the day and we are hoping to run a follow-on session where those with ponies can bring them for a training day,” said Buzz Day organiser Carol Casey.

The day was also a hit with the children, including eight-year-old Jack Wilmot, who said, “It was the best day of my life so far, I will never forget it”.

For more information visit www.brs.org.uk.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The British Racing School (BRS) is trying to encourage equine students into a career in racing by hosting an open day.

Equine colleges are being invited to bring groups of students to meet a variety of industry professionals at the BRS in Newmarket next month (8 October).

The students can learn about different paths into a career in the racing world such as apprenticeships, diploma courses and other graduate opportunities.

The event is free for all attendees but has limited places.

Please contact Carol Casey carol@brs.org.uk or call 01638 675905 to book a place.

Aspiring young jockeys could benefit from a stint in either Australia or South Africa, thanks to the British Racing School (BRS).

The BRS is encouraging trainers who employ graduates from the Newmarket school to nominate eligible riders for the annual Fred Packard Scholarship.

The scholarship provides young riders in the racing industry with the opportunity to be posted to either Australia or South Africa for up to four months.

The winner will spend that time with one of the country’s leading trainers. There they will gain valuable experience of life in a racing yard in another part of the world, with travel, salary and an expenses allowance provided.

A BRS spokesman said: “Fred Packard was a trustee from 1997 until his death in 2009. During that time he took great pleasure in being involved with the training of young people for a life in the racing industry. Fred’s commitment to this cause has been honoured by his family through their generous sponsorship of this award in his name.”

The first two winners of the Fred Packard Scholarship were Laura Morgan, an employee of Chris Bealby, and Catrin Eynon, from Colin Tizzard’s yard. Both spent their time abroad in Australia with Peter Moody, trainer of unbeaten mare Black Caviar. The most recent winner was Shannon Gates, based with Linda Jewell, who is currently working in South Africa for trainer Alistair Gordon.

Nominees must have achieved a Level 2 Apprenticeship at the BRS and be under 25. The closing date for nominations is Monday 30 September.

Forms for the 2013/14 Fred Packard Scholarship are available on www.brs.org.uk.

Getting ahead in the equestrian industry means proving that you can offer the complete package.

Employers need people who can fit into a team but show the initiative to work alone, and who can back up equestrian knowledge with practical experience.

The right training underpins these skills and it is important to research the options before you invest your time and money.

Course: Foundation apprenticeship (incorporating level 2 diploma in work-based racehorse care)

• Content: a fast-track opportunity for potential racing yard staff, teaching the foundations of riding out and working in a busy yard. Students progress from riding in the indoor school to the round canter track and spend the last three weeks on the seven-furlong straight gallop. Some 70% of the course is completed through lectures, classroom-based study and practical tuition, with the remainder finished within a year through a guaranteed job in the industry.
• Venue: British Racing School, Suffolk
• Duration: 9 weeks full-time
• Cost: nothing – residential training is free
• Entrance requirements: 16 to 22yo EU citizens, weighing less than 60kg. No experience required
• Applications: ongoing
• Contacts: tel: 01638 665103, email: careers@brs.org.uk, www.brs.org.ukTo read the full feature on equestrian training courses see the current issue of H&H (26 July 2012)Are you looking for a job in the equestrian industry? View our online database of job advertisements

Details have been announced for the 2012 Racing Industry Course.

The British Racing School will be hosting the five-day programme in Newmarket next year.

The course, to be held from the 30 January to 3 February 2012, will feature seminars, interactive sessions hosted by racing figures as well as visits to Darley, Tattersalls and a top trainer’s yard.

The British Horseracing Authority course, which is sponsored by Lycetts for 2012, covers the key aspects of the racing industry and is aimed at UK and international delegates from middle management upwards, either those new to the industry or who are looking to broaden their knowledge and understanding of racing.

It will cover a wide range of topics from breeding, training and welfare through to the funding of racing, racing’s relationship with the media and integrity in the sport

Duncan Gregory from the British Racing School said: “We are fortunate that so many influential speakers address the course and provoke discussion on the key issues facing racing today. Spaces are limited and increasingly the course is over subscribed, so if you are interested in the 2012 course don’t delay”.

The five-day course is residential with all meals, accommodation and excursions included.

For more information visit: www.brstric.com.

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A new course for National Hunt amateur riders is being hosted by the British Racing School (BRS).

The 5-day course aims to improve the riding technique and style of amateurs, as well as enhancing their knowledge of the industry.

Students will receive daily simulator training with a jockey coach — which is filmed and reviewed as well as a half-day’s schooling with Olympic equestrian coach Yogi Breisner.

The course also includes fitness assessments and nutrition classes.

Duncan Gregory from the BRS said: “This is an ideal choice for the budding amateur rider, keen to improve their own performance and technique.”

The course will be held on 9-13 February in Newmarket.

For more information tel: 01638 675907 or visit www.brs.org.uk

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A new course has been launched by the British Racing School (BRS) for those who want to learn more about the horseracing industry.

The Racing Industry Course, which is to be run for the first time next month, is aimed at people who want to gain a full working knowledge of racing.

The five day-course is held at the British Racing School in Newmarket from Sunday 1 February to Friday 6 February.

Throughout the week participants will learn through seminars, behind the scenes tours — including at a Tattersalls sale — and discussion groups.

The course will be split into 4 sections starting with the background of racing.

It will also look at the breeding, training and management of horses for racing, the public appeal of racing and racecourses and finally the funding of racing.

Several prominent racing figures will be sharing their knowledge including British Horseracing Authority chief executive Nic Coward, trainers Mark Tompkins and Ian Balding, journalist Lydia Hislop and Stephen Wallis managing director of Newmarket Racecourse.

Duncan Gregory, operations director at the BRS said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for anyone wanting to know more about the multi-faceted racing industry.

“There is no other course like it for those who want and need to know its intricacies and its issues.”

For more information telephone 01638 665103 or visit www.brstric.com

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now