We headed to York Racecourse and caught up with Elizabeth Anderson. She spoke to us about her career path and how she broke into the marketing world of the racecourse industry and she’s proud of her path without going to University.

Hello Elizabeth, if you could tell us how did you start out in the industry?

I began working in racing for trainer Mark Walford in 2022, where I rode out every day and took horses racing and gained some very hands-on experience in the industry. My Grandad Dave used to be a National Hunt Jockey and he introduced me to Walford’s, so I was lucky to have his support.

How did you get into your role at York Racecourse?

A staff member from Mark Walford Racing originally spotted the job advert on Facebook and forwarded it on to me. At first, I wasn’t sure whether I had enough experience for the role, particularly as I hadn’t gone to university after college. However, I decided to apply and put plenty of time into researching York Racecourse, the racing it stages and the wider role so I could make my application as strong as possible. I was then delighted to be offered the position, and I am now heading into my fourth season here!

What does a normal working day for you involve?

A normal working day can vary massively depending on what race meetings we have coming up at York. One day I might be visiting different training yards to film content with potential runners, while another could involve working with sponsors such as Grantley Hall to create content for The Grantley Hall Ebor Fashion Lawn and other campaigns.

When I’m in the office, a lot of my time is spent editing content and managing our social media channels, as well as proofreading parts of the racecard and liaising with industry partners such as Great British Racing and World Horse Racing. Then on race days I am normally spotted all around the course filming and creating content. There is always something different to work on and that variety is one of the things I enjoy most about the job.

Why did you choose this career?

I chose a career in marketing and social media because I think horse racing is such a fun and innovative industry. I’ve always enjoyed being creative, and this role gives me the opportunity to express that while constantly thinking of fresh ideas and new ways to promote racing at York.

I’ve always loved working in horse racing, but I knew that riding out every day wasn’t something I wanted to do forever. I wanted to find something that would allow me to stay involved in the sport while developing a different set of skills.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job has to be seeing the work I’ve produced be successful and have a positive impact on the way people engage with horse racing. It’s really rewarding to see an idea go from something I’ve thought of to a finished piece of content that people are watching, sharing and interacting with.

I also really value the relationships I’ve been able to build with trainers, jockeys and other industry partners. This has helped me develop personally and professionally while also opening opportunities outside of my role at York, including gaining further experience through freelance content creation at other major meetings within the racing industry.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone seeking a career in your sector/industry?

Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people and really put yourself out there. Racing has so many networks and opportunities, and you never know where one conversation might lead. Do your research, ask questions and take every opportunity to gain experience!