THERE may be a back-to-school feeling in the air but the RACE campus has been busy over the summer months and we are looking forward to continuing the expansion of a range of exciting initiatives over the coming months.

Nine riders recently completed the CARE Exercise Rider programme and have commenced employment in trainers’ yards, and a few are remaining resident on campus while they take their first steps towards careers in the industry.

Along with our recent graduates who are working locally and the new intake of trainees, it makes for a healthy mix of young people all focused on building up their skills and experience towards a sustainable career in racing and hopefully we can provide a supportive and positive environment to assist them in this transition.The international dimension has also been evident with Japanese exercise riders now having completed their three-month programme and a group of Turkish apprentice jockeys in the final weeks of their training schedule. Activities with younger riders have continued with more Junior Academy days planned for the autumn and RACE’s recent presence at the pony races in Dingle leading to more demand for training and coaching supports.

JOCKEY SKILLS

This weekend we are also hosting our annual jockey skills course for members of the Irish Pony Club and will be assessing candidates for an exhibition race to be held at Naas race course on September 24th. More training development days for point-to-point riders under the tutelage of Derek O’Connor will be rolled out in coming months and we will shortly be launching a range of support services for professional jockeys funded by HRI / CARE which will be delivered by a range of qualified experts from our newly-developed High Performance Centre so there is much to look forward to as the year proceeds.

New recruits from 16 different countries

THIS year’s Trainee Jockey group, which includes 10 girls, are drawn from a wide pool with 16 different counties represented and they have just completed their induction as part of their initial 12-week foundation programme.

The daily routine of riding and stable management work in the barn is augmented by a full schedule of classroom work in the afternoons, as they work their way through seven QQI modules, plus fitness sessions and personal development activities in the evening. They undergo an intensive fitness and conditioning programme to get them ready for what lies ahead and commence their industry induction by going racing, visiting stud farms and sales events while building up their awareness of the wider industry.

Irish Champions Weekend provides them with the opportunity to sample the excitement of top-class international racing and see the standards to which they should aspire and some will assist with hosting guests on the Thoroughbred Trail and demonstrating the simulator as part of the family entertainment at the Curragh tomorrow.

Over the next 10 months they will learn to make demands on themselves in a range of practical areas and push themselves physically and mentally as they seek out a future career in the racing industry. Hopefully many of them will rise to the challenge and build the necessary qualities which can turn their dreams into reality.