“Just be yourself and talk about what you’re genuinely interested in, because there will be a placement that suits you. Try not to worry too much about the assessment centre either. The people running it have all been in the same position before, and they really do want you to succeed.”
Why did you decide to apply for the British Horseracing Development Programme?
“I hadn’t actually heard of the Development Programme before. It was sent to me by the University of Nottingham’s careers advisor along with some other graduate schemes and internships. It stood out straight away because I had recently moved to Newmarket and was already really interested in the racing industry, so it felt like a great fit.”
How has the programme benefited your career so far?
“Massively. I studied Animal Science with Bioveterinary Sciences, and most of my course mates were applying for vet school. I wasn’t sure what other options were open to me apart from lab research, which I knew wasn’t what I wanted to do. The Development Programme has opened my eyes to so many different opportunities and given me a clear pathway into an industry I am genuinely passionate about.”
What are you learning from the Development Programme?
“Working with the Anti-Doping and Equine Welfare teams has been such a great experience. I’m learning a lot about the rules and procedures in place to protect horses and make sure the sport is run fairly. It has given me a real appreciation of the systems behind racing that you don’t normally see but that are so important for horse welfare and the sport’s integrity.”
What has been your overall highlight of the programme so far?
“The two-week induction course in Newmarket has definitely been the highlight so far. It was such a good chance to meet everyone else on the programme and make friends, and it was amazing to hear from industry leaders about the challenges racing is facing and how they think they can be solved. Learning about how the sport is run has been really eye-opening and so interesting.”
Would you recommend the Development Programme and why?
“Definitely. There are so many different placements available, and you don’t need to come in with loads of knowledge about horses or racing. As long as you’re interested and willing to learn, there are so many areas you can get into, whether that’s marketing, HR, or something more horse focused. It’s such a good way to build experience, make connections, and add something strong to your CV.”
What advice would you give to someone looking to apply for the Development Programme 2026?
“Just be yourself and talk about what you’re genuinely interested in, because there will be a placement that suits you. Try not to worry too much about the assessment centre either. The people running it have all been in the same position before, and they really do want you to succeed.”
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