Racehorse trainer

Racehorse trainers run stables, look after the horses' training and welfare, and prepare them for races.

Also known as: Horse racing trainer, equine trainer

• Typical hours45 to 48 a week

What you'll do

As a racehorse trainer, you could:

• develop daily training and exercise routines
• plan feeding and care programmes for each horse
• monitor horses' development
• talk to staff and vets about any problems
• supervise stable staff
• manage preparations and travel for race days
• keep owners up to date with their horses' progress
• deal with administrative work like training records, wages and payments

Working environment

You could work at a riding stable, in an office or at a race track.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• knowledge of training and the ability to design courses
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to monitor performance
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• administration skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to become a racehorse trainer

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by professional bodies

Apprenticeship

You could start by applying to do a Senior Equine Groom Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship before going on to an assistant trainer's course.

This apprenticeship usually takes at least 18 months to complete.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

• experience in related work

Work

You could work at a racing stables as a groom, a rider or instructor. You could then move on to do a 3-day assistant trainer's course at The British Racing School or National Horseracing College.

The course includes:

• staff management
• handicapping
• media training
• health and safety
• racing welfare
• licensing

Once you have several years' experience as an assistant trainer, you could do the racehorse trainer's course and apply for a full trainer's licence.

Other routes

If you have a lot of experience in a stables, you could complete the Level 3 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care and the racehorse trainer's course .

You could then apply for a trainer's licence from the British Horseracing Authority.

Restrictions and requirements

You must have a trainer licence issued by the British Horseracing Authority .

To apply for a licence, you'll need to meet several conditions, for example, you must:

• complete the Level 3 Diploma in Racehorse Care and Management
• have a minimum of 5 years' experience in a racing yard
• pass a pre-licence training course with The British Racing School at Newmarket, or the National Horseracing College at Doncaster

Career path and progression

You could take further training to complete a horseracing foundation degree or degree , which you can study while working at the same time.

With experience, you could become a specialist racing consultant, trainer instructor, bloodstock agent or thoroughbred breeder.

Career tips

You will need experience of working in stables and handling horses to be eligible for training courses.

Guides for this industry

• Animal Care: pay, interviews and getting started →

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