WITH the days getting brighter and longer and the flat season clicking into gear, our trainees are facing into the final stretch of their programme and looking forward to full-time work placement which will commence in early May.

They have been returning from placement in batches over recent weeks to complete all their practical assessments and course work in order to gauge their progress and achieve their certified modules.

An added benefit of these weeks is the opportunity to go cross-country schooling at the course in Athy.

This activity has been added in recent years and is hugely popular and beneficial to the young riders and challenges their riding skills in a different way.

Indeed, video footage of action from the cross-country course posted on our Facebook page has attracted a big reaction with more than 100,000 views in recent weeks.

As the trainee jockey programme has evolved, it is clear that an increasing proportion of participants will be heading the National Hunt route and our instructor team have integrated a lot more schooling practice to the practical training to ensure trainees have a good grounding in the discipline.

Watching their evident excitement during Cheltenham week, it’s possible to identify those who dream of emulating more recent graduates such as Jerry McGrath and Kielan Woods in notching festival winners on the biggest stage.

OPEN DAYS

Our series of Open Days continues in coming weeks and it is a great opportunity for any prospective candidates to get a behind-the-scenes look at the trainee jockey programme, meet some of the current trainees and have their questions answered.

Lots of material is posted online and we are always available for school visits and careers events to promote the options for careers in racing. The recently-posted ‘Urban Jockey’ video (Off The Ball and GoRacing.ie) offers a great insight to the career path and development of professional flat jockey Gary Halpin from Blanchardstown in Dublin and is a must-see for any young person growing up in the city with the dream of making a career with horses.

Learning from around the racing world

THERE has been an international flavour to the campus since the start of the year as our local trainees having been rubbing shoulders with students from three different European countries and learning a little about how things work in other parts of the racing world.

Following on from the Czech and Slovakian Erasmus groups, we recently had the pleasure of hosting another French group for a week-long programme.

AFASEC is the French organisation charged with overseeing the formation and welfare of people in their substantial racing and trotting industries and they manage a network of 12 schools spread across the country which provide education and training for around 650 students and apprentices.

They also operate a ‘foyer’ system for accommodation of stable staff at major training centres and offer social welfare supports for nearly 4,000 stable staff on an annual basis.

RACE has had a long association with various AFASEC schools and we have worked together as founder members of the European Association of Racing Schools in the development of common qualifications, cultural exchange and collaboration on common issues.

It also offers opportunities to our graduates to participate in international apprentice races, the most prestigious of which is sponsored by Longines and held each year in Chantilly on Prix de Diane day.

The recent group we hosted comprised 12 students and three teachers from the school in Cabries, near Marseilles, some of whom were newly licensed apprentices and they enjoyed a great introduction to Irish racing with practical training and coaching on our campus, visits to the Irish National Stud and Kildangan, an afternoon at Leopardstown races and four mornings riding out with Curragh trainers Willie McCreery, Johnny Murtagh, John Oxx and Tracey Collins.

The group were greatly impressed with what they encountered in Ireland and, similar to some of our other European visitors, it is hoped they might consider returning at some point in the future to expand their experience and work in Irish racing for a period.

Focus on riding skills

SANDRA Hughes continues to work on our behalf to promote CARE-funded industry training programmes designed to support employers in their efforts to attract and retain suitably skilled stable staff.

These are ideal for newer staff requiring an induction to best practice or existing stable staff requiring a focus on riding skills improvement. The next of these courses is scheduled for May 7-10th, with more to follow.

We are also seeking to recruit candidates for another exercise rider course in July aimed at people with broader horse experience who wish to work in racing but need experience with thoroughbreds and an induction to the racing industry.

FULLY-FUNDED PROGRAMME

We are reaching out to students on various equine courses around the country who may be attracted to a fully-funded six-week programme at RACE followed by a supported placement in a suitable racing yard.

Trainers are also being encouraged to nominate potential candidates for this course as it has proved to be a very effective means of producing work-ready stable staff in the past.

For further information on any of these industry training programmes or to make a booking please contact Lisa at RACE or Sandra Hughes directly at 087 3781739.

RACE trainees meet Ruby Walsh and Paul Townend

OUR Junior Academy programmes have proved very popular and successful in recent years and these CARE-funded training days aimed at 10-16-year-olds have filled up very quickly this year with several taking place over the Easter period.

Attracting young people to racing is a key challenge for the industry and it is vital to get to them early and excite their interest in the many elements of horse racing.

Aine O’Connor is co-ordinating these days and it is great to see young boys and girls eager to learn and enjoying the experience of sampling what it is like to get professional training in riding, horse care, fitness and conditioning and nutrition while gaining more insight to the racing industry.

An added bonus is when they get to meet some of their racing heroes and one lucky group happened to meet up with Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh and Paul Townend at the Curragh schooling grounds prior to Aintree, while another group had a special visitor when Rachael Blackmore dropped in for a get-together to share her story and encourage them in their ambitions. Positive role models are critical for any sport – ‘if you can see it, you can be it’ – and we need to capitalise on the many good examples we have in our industry.

Junior Academy levels are offered to suit varying ages and experience levels and there is a high demand for the remaining days so any enquiries should be directed promptly to the RACE office to ensure consideration for this year’s programme, including upcoming dates for pony race riders.

Details of all Open Days, Junior Academy schedules and other events can be found on www.racingacademy.ie, RACE social media channels or via the RACE office.