British Horseracing Development Programme

We headed to Kingsley Park, North Yorkshire and Charlie Johnston Racing and caught up with one of the team there Dominic, Racing Secretary. Read up on what Dom has been up to since being on the British Horseracing Development Programme in 2022

How long have you been in this role?
Hello all, I’m Dominic and one of the Racing Secretaries at Charlie Johnston Racing. I have been at Johnston Racing for 20 months now.

What was your background into the horseracing industry?
Although I have, since I can remember, had a very keen interest in horseracing, it wasn’t until I went to Hartpury University to study for a degree in International Horseracing Business that I had thought about working in the industry, and more so the many different roles that are available. After graduating from there I was lucky enough to be offered a placement on the British Horseracing Development Programme in 2022, and from there I was offered a path to work in industry imminently upon finishing the 2-week course, working two 6-month placements under the Racing and Betting Team and Participant Services team. After the end of my year there the opportunity arose to become a trainee racing secretary at Johnston Racing and I have been here since!

What does a normal working day for you involve?
A normal working day starts at 7am and runs till 2pm, and although no two days are the same, we run to two strict deadlines. The first of these is at 10am when we need to have declared any runners for meetings in 48 hours, and the second of these is at 12pm for entries. There are a lot of other administrative tasks to be done within the day as well and these cover a wide variety of bases, but the main focus at least to begin with is to make sure that horses are entered and declared by these deadlines.

If you do travel to the racecourse what responsibilities would you have?
We do get the opportunity to go racing, often with our in-house partnership runners. When on course the most important thing to do is to look after Owners, as they are so important to a successful training operation and to racing as a whole and can be so often overlooked. Therefore, it is vital that they receive the best possible experience, both on and off the track.

What is the best part of your job?
When the yard has a winner, it is underplayed how much goes on prior to reaching a racecourse, never mind winning! It is a long process and can be hard to appreciate the hard work that goes in from the entire team, starting with Mark and Charlie at the sales, through to the riders and grooms working with the horses every day, with it hopefully culminating with success on course! I am a small cog in a very big wheel, and the few minutes a race is on for is a very small percentage of what has gone on prior to that moment that most people see.

Is there a challenging part of your job?
Like any job there are always challenges, some can be very minor and others can be slightly more difficult to deal with, luckily I work alongside two fellow secretaries who are very experienced and it allows us to spread the workload, it has also given me very good grounding as I have learned a great amount off them both since starting and this has made it a lot easier to move into a new role within the industry.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone seeking to work in the industry?
I think the most important thing anyone can do is to take up as many opportunities as they can, as what comes with this is the chance to meet people and network, and this can always lead to further opportunities down the line.

Eloise a recent National Horseracing College graduate and also part of our YCG talks about all things apprenticeships as she done the 14-16 course at the National Horseracing College., then onto a foundation course. She’s now working at Richard Fahey Racing and is looking forward to the upcoming season.

How did you find out about the foundation course?
I found out about the course as I attended a week-long pony racing camp at the National Horseracing College when I was 14.

How was it balancing education and the course itself?
Doing my Year 11 I was losing one day each week which was challenging at first, as I had to plan how I would catch up with the work that I missed. Once I got into a routine, it became easier, but it does require a lot of discipline. School were very supportive as they want their students to excel in their chosen career paths, especially if it involves the opportunity to go into elite sport.

I attended every Wednesday from 8.30 – 4.30, we were taught how to manage our workload in a yard setting, doing the usual stable chores and showing that we could work independently and as part of a team.

We were observed completing tasks to work towards getting our Level 1 Diploma. We were also taught how to ride correctly, with the correct technique for race riding enabling you to ride the racehorses on site on the gallops. We also had theory lectures about different organisations in racing and the career paths open to us.

What does a normal working day for you involve?
A normal working day at the Professional yard I work at starts at 5am when I get up to travel and then work starts at 6am and then tasks include mucking out, turning out, taking them to the walker, washing them down after lots, sweeping and grooming.

What is the most challenging part?
The most challenging part is being the youngest on the yard but being trusted with horses worth a lot of money and ensuring that my work is of the highest standards.

What’s next on your career path?
After completing the foundation course I am excited to work in the industry at Richard Faheys yard. Looking forward to getting my horses and progressing in the industry.

What’s your career goals?
My career goal is to be a Professional Flat Jockey and win races such as the 1000 & 2000 Guineas as well as the Epsom Derby and The Prix de l arc de Triomphe.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone seeking a career in your sector/industry?
The best advice I can give to anyone wanting to work in racing is to work hard, listen to what you’re being told and then put it into practice. Horses have been my passion since I was 6 years old, if you can work in an industry that aligns with your passion, it will never feel like work.

Find out more about the Careers in Racing Youth Collaboration Group by clicking here! 

Lana new to our Youth Collaboration Group is currently on the Arena Racing Company’s Apprentice Business Co Ordinator placement at Worcester Racecourse. She explains how this career path was perfect for her and how her excitement builds for when the Worcester season really kicks in!

Hello Lana, can you tell us a bit about your background in the horseracing industry?

I have always been into horses and ridden from a young age. From the age of 10 onwards it really kicked in and I took it up as my main sport. Riding every weekend, mucking out join in on Pony Club activities, I loved the adrenaline of going fast!

In 2019 I got my first thoroughbred on loan and that’s when I really fell in love with racing. I looked up her past and watched her old races. My ability started to grow, and I then decided to buy my own thoroughbred at the age of 13/14. He was called Freddie, and I did everything on him, he showed me what real speed and talent was. I decided from him I was going to work with thoroughbreds.

When I was 14/15, I got a job riding out on a yard. I would also muck out, turnout and do all the general yard duties. I did a year at this job and then moved onto retraining and rehabilitation of thoroughbreds and that gave me an even bigger insight to the whole of a racehorse’s life and career. I enjoyed this job a lot as I had just bought a new thoroughbred called Jimmy (pictured above) who I have retrained myself. So, since a very young age I have been exposed to horses and just adore the thoroughbred making me want to work with them and watch them do what they love, run!

Where did you find out about your current role?

I found out about this role on Careers in Racing. I just simply googled racing jobs, and the website came up. I used their site to specify which job type I wanted. After working on a yard for multiple years I decided I didn’t want to do that, using the clear search function I was able to identify other job roles within the racing industry to which I found my current one.

How did you get into this role, what was the interview process like?

After I saw this job, I wrote up a CV and a couple of cover letters and ensured I was ready to send it in. I submitted it and within 5 days I had an email back saying they loved my CV, and they then offered me an interview. I went for my interview just two days after. The interview was very steady however very informative and professional. I ended up being in there for an hour and a half just chatting and really getting to know everyone and the job role.

Why did you choose an apprenticeship for your career path?

I chose an apprenticeship as it was a form of education however & I was still earning money. I was really interested by the fact I could get paid to learn at same time.

I struggled with being in school and college because I would get bored very fast!

I also chose this apprenticeship as I understood and saw my career path gaining information and experience, I wouldn’t necessarily get this at College or University. Another reason I chose an apprenticeship is for my future employers to see that I have worked in the live environment and that I’m capable, experienced and knowledgeable.

What does a normal working day for you involve?

Once I’m in the office at 9am I get straight onto my laptop check my emails for any enquiries, questions, or new tasks. I then will complete them for the morning and go for lunch. Being at Worcester Racecourse it’s a good place to walk around so some lunch times I will take our office dog for a walk, or I will go into town.

I will have an online meeting with Sales and Marketing. Some of the tasks I complete are the whole behind the scenes of the horses running. I will look at our entries, social media, plus raceday activities such as hospitality & restaurant bookings. I have to ensure anything on the sight is ready for action, review past races to see what we could do better, look at offers and deals we could do in future. I communicate with other ARC sites and of course speaking to our visitors, answering their questions and queries.

I have to make sure Stable Staff, Owners and Trainers are all looked after and happy and that our venue is up to scratch for not only the people but the horses too. As we enter the season I will be doing more tasks regarding ticket enquiries for the public.

What is the best part of your job (so far!)

The best part of my job is seeing the horses, owners & trainers up-close being able to speak to jockeys and trainers. I love being able to stand in the parade ring, go into owners & trainers enclosure along with marquees and boxes to ensure everyone is happy and pleased with our services.

Is there a challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job for me is ensuring that I hit deadlines considering we race every week. The season is extremely intense for everyone working at this racecourse but especially because I’m new I’m feeling a little nervous however I’m so excited for the season ahead!

What one piece of advice would you give to someone seeking an apprenticeship?

A piece of advice I would give is to not listen to anyone being negative about apprenticeships, if you think you can do it you are most likely more than capable. So just go for it and prove all the negativity wrong. It’s OK being nervous and unsure but try to not let that get in the way, it’s completely normal to feel like that!

Find out more about the Careers in Racing Youth Collaboration Group by clicking here! 

Why did you decide to apply for the British Horseracing Development Programme?

I decided to apply because I viewed it as an excellent opportunity to enter the world of Horseracing, as it is my biggest passion and I have been told for as long as I can remember to find a career that combines things you love, then you can enjoy your work.

In 3 words how would you describe your time on the 2-week induction in Newmarket?

Incredible, Insightful, Whirlwind

Who was your favourite guest speaker in the 2-week induction in Newmarket and why?

This is such a difficult question because there were so many. I’m going to give you 2 because I can’t split them! I absolutely love history and particularly the history of this amazing sport, so any of the talks that incorporated this subject really captivated me:

• The two ex-jockeys that spoke to us, Michael and Richard, were so interesting and willing to talk to us about anything. I was really excited to listen to Michael because he has ridden some absolutely incredible horses, and the Hills surname is so huge within the sport. The way that they presented their talk was excellent, there was great banter between the two and when they got asked a difficult question, they were serious and really thought about their answer. Watching the two really gave me a sense that we were in the weighing room with them. It was fascinating to hear these guys speak about their careers and the highs and lows of being a jockey, it really opened my eyes to what jockeys go through to be a key cog to the sport we all love.
• I also really enjoyed the talk from Tom Goff about international investment in British Bloodstock. This was fascinating and it introduced me to a part of the industry that I didn’t even consider. Tom’s knowledge of various stallion bloodlines and also individuals who have poured so much money into the sport was simply amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed watching videos of some of the greatest stallions racing and then hearing Tom speak about their relatives and how their bloodlines are still active today.

What have you learned from the Development Programme?

I have learned so much from the development programme. However, I’d say that the biggest thing I have learned is to absolutely love my enthusiasm and passion for horse racing. This passion has grown even bigger than it was before the development programme, I am totally consumed by it, which isn’t a bad thing because I love getting lost researching/reading about this incredible sport.

How has your 8-week placement at RCA been? What have you been up to?

It has been so so good. The team here are all just so lovely and knowledgeable that it was a pleasure to spend my time with them. I learned so much in my 8-week placement, which gave me well-rounded knowledge about racecourses and the different things that they have to focus on as sporting venues.

I was given some excellent projects to work on, which all provided different challenges, this helped increase my knowledge in certain areas and master particular skills. I thoroughly enjoyed these tests.

The team also encouraged me to actively pursue days with different people in different roles on racedays. I spent time with clerks, vets, course inspectors and sales teams, with all being excellent insights.

What was your overall highlight of the programme and your placement?

My day with Chris Stickels, Clerk of the Course at Ascot. It was Friday of the King George meet, so Chris had to ensure everything was prepared meticulously for the outstanding equine talent that would be competing for such a prestigious prize.

The day started at 6am, where I met Chris at the box entrance. He came in, shook my hand, looked straight at my shoes and started laughing. My trainers were definitely not an appropriate selection of footwear for the 20,000 steps I was about to take round the whole of Ascot’s morning dew covered turf! Squelching or not, I wasn’t going to allow a bit of water to ‘dampen’ my mood, so off we went.

The walk around the course gave me the opportunity to quiz Chris about life as a clerk of one of the most famous racecourses in the world. Chris spoke in-depth about a career which started in 2005, the highs and lows of working such a thankless job, where it is impossible to please everyone. As we walked past the magnificent grandstand and up to the finishing line, I lengthened my stride and pictured all the amazing equine duels which I was following up this historic straight. I was hit with quite an overwhelming feeling of ‘how am I here? What a lucky boy I am to have this opportunity’, I will NEVER forget that feeling.

I guess that feeling is my experience on the development programme in a nutshell. Constantly pinching myself, wondering if this is all actually happening.

The day was filled with these sorts of moments. Watching the races from the incredible viewing point of the stewards’ box, where you could see every part of turf. To having a Coca-Cola with Saudi royalty in the winning connections room. It really helped me realise that the sky is the limit within this industry and that I can achieve anything I want by combining hard work with just being a good person.

Would you recommend the Development Programme and why?

I would absolutely recommend this programme to any fellow horse racing geek. The opportunities I have been granted from it can’t be purchased. It has helped me see my dreams and shown me to use my personal talents to help this magnificent industry. Honestly, if you, like where I was, are a graduate who is unsure about your future and have the slightest interest in horseracing, then apply for this programme. There is no better avenue into the industry, and you will learn so much in the first 2 weeks in Newmarket and then your 8-week placement. On the topic of Newmarket, that is another reason as to why I would suggest this programme. I have never seen a more majestic sight than the strings of horses galloping up Warren Hill. I feel that if everyone could see that, they would fall in love with these amazing animals and this spectacular sport.

Finally, what advice would you give to someone looking to apply for the Development Programme 2025?

Just do it. All you have to do is look at the illustrious list of alumni of the programme to see what this can do for your career. There’s only a certain number of adjectives you can use to describe how incredible the 2-weeks at the British Racing School were, you have to see it to believe it and trust me, you want to see it!

If you are lucky enough to be invited to interviews, just be yourself. Another thing I have learned from this whole process is that horseracing is one big family, everyone looks out for each other and wants to help each other. If you have a passion for this sport then express it, show your enthusiasm, because we all hold that too.

There’s plenty of room for young, talented and passionate racing fans within this industry and being able to work with your passion, to me that’s a no brainer.

How did you get into this role?

During the second year of my degree, BSc hons Equine Performance & Business Management at ARU Writtle, I attended a career round table event. Upon speaking to Weatherby’s, I discovered that the racing industry offered a wide variety of jobs including media and marketing roles which I have always been interested in. I applied for an internship with Weatherby’s Private Bank but unfortunately didn’t get the position. Throughout the application process I learnt that an internship was something I really wanted to achieve during my summer break to improve my skills and delve deeper into the racing industry. Neil Graham, the racing director at Chelmsford City Racecourse, came into our equestrian enterprise management class to talk to us about his story and the different careers in racing. I decided to take the opportunity to speak with Neil and ask if an internship was something that Chelmsford City Racecourse could offer. I have now been at Chelmsford City Racecourse for over two months and will continue to learn here before going back to university in September.

What does a normal working day for you involve?

At Chelmsford City Racecourse my internship is very varied. This is great for someone like me who is relatively new to horse racing. I have always had my own horses and show jumped, however racing is a whole different world which I am growing a passion for. Most of my time is spent in marketing, learning from the social media and marketing executive, digital marketing executive and the creative lead. This will include contacting companies, assisting in content creation and helping to develop new tactics. I have learned so much from the girls, sitting in on meetings and broadening my knowledge with their guidance.

I have also been lucky enough to get some hands-on experience in the yard on race days, including mucking out and tape behind the stalls. I have really enjoyed learning more about racing from the trackside and making some great friends in the industry.

Why did you choose this career?

From the age of 15 I have run my own Instagram account where I share content of my horse and I. Throughout the past 5 years my account has grown to over 18,000 followers and has allowed me to collaborate and work with some leading brands in the equestrian.

This is where my love for all things media, marketing and content creation has stemmed from. I have my own horses and have previously worked in hands on roles at riding schools and showjumping yards, combining my existing love for horses, media and marketing I decided that the right career for me would be within the racing industry. The media is a huge part of the racing industry, and I would love to develop a career from my passion within it.

How did you start out in the industry?

I spent most of my time in the saddle from a very young age, I always knew I wanted my career to have a big involvement with the equine industry.

I attended pony club, achieved a Level 3 Extended Technical Diploma in Equine Management and I am now studying further at ARU Writtle towards my degree. Discovering the variety of job roles within the racing industry has been a huge eye opener for me. I am so grateful that I am now exploring racing further with my internship and getting involved with the Youth Collaboration Group. It is lovely to know that I am building a network of great people around me, this industry already feels like home.

What is the best part of your job?

I am thoroughly enjoying my time at Chelmsford the best part of the internship is the variety in the tasks which I can take on. I feel as though I am learning some amazing things each day, whether that be with the marketing team, racing team or stable team. The people I have met along the way have made this experience better than I could ever imagine. The support in this industry is like no other and I am grateful for everyone’s kindness.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Being relatively new to the sport of horse racing, it felt overwhelming at first as I thought I needed to know everything about the industry. I felt as though I may not fit in due to my lack of racing knowledge. I had only been to the races a handful of times and watched the odd race on TV, so I didn’t really understand the way things work. But after only two months here I’m full of information and I know there is always lots to learn in this forever evolving sport. Luckily, the whole team here are incredibly supportive and would happily sit and chat to me about racing for hours (especially Neil). Every day I feel my love for this industry growing both as a career and as a genuine interest.

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

I feel as though this piece of advice really can benefit anyone no matter what their career path. As Nike says, “Just Do It”. It’s one day, or day one. There really is nothing better than jumping into something if you really want it. I would never be where I am if I didn’t approach Neil myself. Sometimes opportunities don’t just come to you, you must go and chase them in order to chase your dreams.

And as for this industry in particular, the more experience you can get, the better. Before my internship began, I would google things about racing, read the Racing Post and try to broaden my knowledge. There is nothing better than getting out there and giving everything a go, the people you meet when you put yourself out there is amazing.

When I was younger, I always knew I wanted to be a part of the sports industry. I was never aware that horseracing would be an option for me, but today I am a Career Marketing and Recruitment Assistant at the British Horseracing Authority.

My journey initially started when receiving an unconditional offer to the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB Wembley) to study Football Business and Marketing. During the three years I spent at UCFB, I was a part of the Women’s Academy where I was able to pursue my love for football whilst studying it. After volunteering at a few football clubs as a Social Media Executive I gained sufficient experience and realised that I wanted to remain in the sporting community showcasing the skills that were developed through these opportunities. It was unbeknown to me that I could use the skills developed in football and transfer them to a different sport such as Horseracing.

This led to attending a networking event with Careers in Racing, resulting in finding the new path I wanted to take. After networking with the Careers in Racing team I started volunteering as a content creator for their Youth Collaboration Group (YCG) to add to my bank of experience and skills. As a result of this, I was fortunate to go behind the scenes on multiple race days and showcase the work that goes on at a race day that customers do not get to see. This work only pushed me to fall in love with the sport even more and apply for the British Horseracing Development Programme 2023.

The British Horseracing Development Programme allowed me to mix with a group of individuals who also shared a passion and love for the industry. During my time on this programme, I learned so much about Horseracing as a whole and networked with professionals in the sport who shared their experiences with me. As a part of this programme, I was put on an 8-week placement with Sky Sports Racing / At the Races to continue to learn about horseracing whilst working within it. My time at Sky Sports involved working with a range of departments including Marketing, Finance, Web Editorial, Commercial, HR and Production. This work placement helped me to network with professionals in horse racing and even shadow the producers and presenters. I will always be grateful for the experience gained through this work placement as it motivated me to continue to pursue a career in horseracing.

My journey has now taken me to the British Horseracing Authority where I am a part of the Careers in Racing team working as a Careers Marketing and Recruitment Assistant. This role allows me to learn something new every day and delve deeper into the sport.

Some advice I would like to share would be to never give up, you are worthy of pursuing whatever path you want to, if you put your mind to it. Be sure to showcase your talents and network at any given opportunity.

This story is from Lex whose part of the 2024 Racing Media Academy & the Youth Collaboration Group at Careers in Racing. Read her story on how she found her way into the sport!

So, I first got into the sport as I was from riding at a young and I have always been passionate about the equestrian industry. I have been a member of The Pony Club and competed in many disciplines however my favourite is mounted games.

I watched racing all the time on TV and wanted a career in the media world but I was not to sure where. I attended a Careers in Racing Explore Day at Newmarket in 2022. This gave me the opportunity to find out more about the sport and career options. I enjoyed the media side to the sport and started networking with the team assisting on some Careers in Racing social ideas, so TikToks & Instagram. A few months later I then joined the Youth Collaboration Group which opened the door to a load more opportunities. I got to network further with BHA, Raceday Staff & Racecourse staff doing interviews, social take-overs and also work for National Careers Week, Apprenticeship Week and International Women’s Day which was exciting.

I knew this was the right area for me, so I networked further with Sean in the team and was lucky enough to go to Doncaster Races on a Family Fun Day and York Ebor Festival in 2023. This was my first-time planning and managing the socials, so I had to plan my day, where I needed to be the content I needed and so on. This gave be the insight to what it’s like working on course in the live environment and I found it super exciting. Knowing it was all on me (with the help of Sean if needed) I knew this was the career path for me.

My next step was trying to find a way into the media world. Although I had a full-time job balancing the two can be quite difficult at times. I then read about the Racing Media Academy. After a quick chat with Sean on a bit of advice I knew I had to go for it. I could not let the chance go. I got my CV up to date, helped where I could with the YCG and applied for the 2024 Racing Media Academy. The assessment day was a first for me I had never gone through an interview like that, and I seemed to be the youngest there. I tried my hardest on the day and hoped for the best.

A few weeks passed and I was at work and got the shock of my life. I was accepted on to the programme the same week I turned 18 years old! I secured a place with Arena Racing Company and was based at Doncaster Racecourse which is home for me so that was fantastic. We first went to the British Racing School in Newmarket where we have a weeklong residential stay. Here we will hear from everyone in the media horseracing world, this was an amazing chance to network. I had a great time on my placement and got to experience so much of the industry including marketing, social media, racecourse experiences and leading on many projects. I was lucky enough to travel to various racecourses and was extended in my placement.

I have now gone on to become an Engagement Assistant at the National Horseracing College. This has given me the opportunity to mix all of my equestrian passions and background showcasing the industry to the future. Plus using all my media and marketing skills I have picked up into this world.