Is your head in the clouds? Do you dream about being there? Follow your Passion and work in the Horse Racing Industry.

As we sat and watched Many Clouds win the Grand National a few days ago those people in the industry are more than aware that it is the culmination of a huge number of people and organisations that make this race work.

From the starting point of the horse as a foal and its journey through life to all those involved in looking after it, right through to the teams of people that make a race day happen.

Horse Scout has opportunities in racing listed on its pages.  Follow this link to Grove Farm Racing Stables and start with the best, John Gallagher, and start searching for that placement to take you where you want to go.

The career paths in the industry are many, the common theme of all is a passion for horses, racing and the community around it.

The British Racing School has joined forces with Warwickshire College to bring you the first Foundation Degree for the Horseracing Industry.  The qualification itself is made up of ten core modules, which are common to all routes in addition to up to seven optional modules.  As a flexible distance learning programme, you will not only choose what you study but when and where.

All foundation degrees have a strong accent on vocational study or in other words educational content with a practical bias, ideal for those whose interests lie in achieving a greater depth of knowledge and understanding as related to the highly practical business of training racehorses, managing facilities and the commercial aspects of training.

For those with the desire to add to their knowledge in areas such as equine nutrition, physiology, biomechanics or applied business management, the problem has always been time, space and place.

The Foundation Degree in the Horseracing Industry is a programme that is predominantly delivered by distance learning so anyone who joins the course continue their career development without even leaving the yard!

So students can, for example, be studying aerobic/anaerobic thresholds by night and in practical terms understand the difference between the two on the gallops the next day.

Entry requirements and routes

Consider – the art, the science and the potential combined power of the two. With four study routes – the Racehorse, Breeding, Business and General Studies, candidates taking up a place on the Foundation Degree have a direct hand in the design their own study programme.

Route 1 – the Racehorse

This option will have a broad appeal to racing enthusiasts, trainers or those aspiring to be trainers.

Route 2 – Breeding

Will be of particular interest to stud managers, stud grooms, stud owners or those involved in owning breeding stock

Route 3 – Business

Provides ready access to the knowledge and skills required to manage a professional business whether a commercial training operation, racecourses or other multiplex sporting venues?

Route 4 – General

This option provides a pick and mix approach which may be the preferred choice for those who have completed their Level 3 and want to progress into HE.

Also potentially for those with an interest in racing, owners of a horse in training or a mare at stud who want to know a bit more, and those already working in related areas of the industry who simply want to develop their knowledge.

The qualification itself is made up of ten core modules, which are common to all routes in addition to up to seven optional modules. As a flexible distance-learning programme, candidates gaining a place on the Foundation Degree not only choose what they study but when and where they study.

The distance learning or ‘open university’ model is further enhanced by the opportunity to study a selection of modules via short/one week study blocks at the British Racing School, a fantastic opportunity to experience the top class education delivered at the very heart of racing in the UK.

Those wishing to apply will need the normal 180 points or the equivalent in addition to GCSE (or equivalent) passes in Mathematics, English and Combined Science. Mature students who do not satisfy the formal entry requirements can also apply as they can be given exemption in some cases. The only other qualification required when applying for the programme is a strong equine base and a determination to succeed.

Horse Scout has opportunities in racing listed on its pages.  Follow this link to Grove Farm Racing Stables and start with the best, John Gallagher, and start searching for that first placement to take you where you want to go.