The horse racing industry
The racing industry supports significant levels of employment in many different sectors , some 85,000 jobs including :
• Over 10,000 employees , involved in the production and training of horses
• Over 400 full-time jockeys
• Over 550 licensed trainers of racehorses
• There are 59 racecourses throughout the UK with a variety of jobs roles
• Sometimes over 5,000 people can work at a racecourse at the most important race meetings .
What ’ s it like working in horse racing ?
‘ Not your typical job ’ is perhaps an excellent way to describe all the jobs in horse racing , whether working directly with horses or in an office . The variety of jobs available really does make the racing industry one that has a job for everyone .
Key practical roles that involve looking after horses might be at racehorse training yards or breeding stud farms . Previous experience , while desirable , is not always necessary to start your training . Courses are run at the industry ’ s training providers , National Horseracing College , The National Stud and the British Racing School . If you live in Scotland , you can train at the Scottish Racing Academy .
Further non office-based roles are also available at racecourses and would include jobs like ground staff who are responsible for turf maintenance , to hospitality and catering roles . In all of these practical roles , there is a great deal of scope for ongoing training and career progression .
Training and courses
The industry offers training courses from Apprenticeships to MBAs . As young people have to be in education until they are 18 years old , Apprenticeships are available in racehorse care either after GCSEs or A-Levels . This is the first step to becoming a Racing Groom or Stud Groom .