What qualifications are required?
There are many and varied roles within the Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding industry depending on your skills and qualifications. It is important to realise that the industry is vastly diverse and irrespective of age, gender, experience or qualifications, there will be a role in the industry that best compliments your skill set or attributes.
Whether you are straight out of secondary or third level education or looking for a career change later in life, the Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding industry presents a huge variety of interesting, exciting and challenging opportunities.
From degree programmes to residential courses to short day courses to apprenticeships to on the job training, there is something for every type of student.
A list of all the training providers in the country can be found here along with links to details of the courses they run.
What are the typical routes into this sector?
Whether you want to work directly with horses on a stud or racing yard, or on a racecourse or be part of the team in Horse Racing Ireland, those with a passion for horses, horse riding or horse racing can find a suitable outlet; you don’t need to experience to get started, training allows you to become prepared for challenges you will come across your career.
Traineeship
For school leavers (including early school leavers):
Trainee Jockey (Course Code: 4M3154)
The Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) represents a key pathway for those seeking a career in the industry. The Trainee Jockey Course is a 42-week residential programme based on the RACE campus from Monday to Friday. Places are limited with circa 30 places available each year.
Upon graduation students are prepared for a full-time job as an Exercise Rider and the prospect of a career as a jockey. For those students who demonstrate high levels of riding skills and commitment, assistance is provided with apprentice or conditional jockey licence applications. Most Students on this course are aged between 16 and 18 years.
The general requirement is that students must be 16 years old by the 1st of September on year they wish to start this course. Exceptions may be made for applicants who turn 16 years before the 31st of December on the year their course begins. Successful participants receive a QQI Level 4 Major Award in Horsemanship.
Apprenticeships:
Advanced Certificate Farrier (Course Code: 104923)
Farriers are an integral part of the Breeding and Racing industry, providing highly specialised service in making and fitting horseshoes. The Irish Farriery Authority estimates that there are circa 350 farriers operating in Ireland, with concentrations in the key Breeding and Racing counties. To become a farrier you first must obtain employment as an apprentice, and your employer must be approved to train apprentices by the Irish Masters Farriers Association. The apprenticeship period is 4 years. It is a niche industry with circa 8 new entrants each year. On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft-Farriery.
Apprentice Jockey
To become a Jockey you must first obtain employment with a Licensed Racehorse Trainer as an Apprentice. The apprenticeship system is outside the scope of the National Apprenticeship system and is instead governed by rules set down by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB). Further information is available on the IHRB website www.ihrb.ie.
Further Education:
Horsemanship Award (Course Code: 5M3371)
This QQI Level 5 Award is designed to provide professional education and training to learners who love horses. The overall aim of the award is to provide the learner with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence needed to work in a range of roles in the equine sector and /or to progress to further or higher education and training. The course is available across the country in a number of Further Education Colleges, mostly as a Post Leaving Certificate Course. The course structure in each college varies depending on which particular aspect of the equine industry they choose as their focus. Stable and Yard routine is a mandatory element. RACE run the course with a focus on the thoroughbred industry, either racing or stud as a LifeLong Learning Course, with classes in the evening time.
Equine Breeding (Course Code: 6M3507)
This QQI Level 6 Award is designed to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence to work in a supervisory role in a stud or progress to further education or higher education and training. The course is currently available in Teagasc’s Kildalton College, The Curragh Post Primary and as of 2020 Croom College of Further Education. The course structure in each college varies depending on which particular aspect of the equine industry they choose as their focus. Horse Breeding and Pasture Management are mandatory elements.
Higher Education:
Equine Science (Course Code: LM093)
This degree programme offered by University of Limerick is designed for the person who enjoys working with horses and are motivated by the business and science behind the horse industry.The overall aim of the programme is to equip the learner with a degree level competence in the disciplines of Equine Science and a choice of professional studies in either Equitation or Equine Business Management.
Equine Business (Course Code: MH405)
This degree programme offered by Maynooth University is a comprehensive Business degree with an Equine Business specialism. Students study equine business as a specialism throughout their degree, including themes such as: thoroughbred breeding, racing and equestrian sport and its management here in Ireland and internationally. Horse Racing Ireland and Maynooth University offer four Michael Osborne Equine Business Scholarships each year for the three years of the Equine Business degree. The objective of the scholarships is to promote Irish and international horse racing.
Animal Science – Equine (Course Code: DN250)
University College Dublin offers a degree programme in Animal Science with a specialism is Equine. Animal Science – Equine focuses on the applied sciences that underpin animal and veterinary biosciences, with emphasis on the horse. A five-month work experience placement is integral to the degree and is an invaluable learning and networking opportunity. Exciting options include placements on stud farms in the Kentucky Bluegrass region, Japan, racing yards in Sydney, Australia, top show-jumping and eventing yards in Ireland, and with Tattersalls Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland.
Post Graduate Options:
The Godolphin Flying Start is a two-year, full time Management and Leadership training program that specializes in the international Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. For further information click here.
Short Courses:
The Racing Academy and Centre of Education represents a key pathway for those seeking a career in the industry. Training options include specialist riding skills training throughout the calendar year including Rider Improvement and Advanced Rider Improvement as well as Basic Safety Training, Horse Care and Management.
They also run a 12-week Exercise Rider training course (sponsored by HRI) for those wishing to pursue a career as a groom in a racing yard. The course is designed to develop participants riding and stable yard skills. During the course students will be assisted to find full-time employment in a racehorse trainers yard, to commence on completion of training.
See www.racingacademy.ie for further information.
