Club opens multi-purpose "development stable" for racing talents
14 March 2008
The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (14 March) opened its Racing Talent Development Stable at Sha Tin Racecourse, aiming to provide both existing racing personnel and new talent with a purpose-built facility for race training and professional development.
With several Club officials and trainers joining the opening ceremony this morning, Club's Executive Director of Racing William A Nader said the opening of this training stable would serve as a milestone in the Club's development of accredited training programmes. "It also illustrates our Club's commitment to develop its workforce so that it operates on a level reflecting the world's best practices," Mr Nader commented.
The new stable complex, which is under the management of the Club's Racing Development Board, will provide Club trainees and racing staff with a replicated stable setting in which they can practise preparing horses as if they were going to the races. It also includes a range of supporting facilities such as a multimedia room, training rooms and a computer-learning lab, where the trainees and staff can carry out professional development and racing-related research.
Mr Nader said the new facility could additionally help other up-and-coming racing jurisdictions in the region with their training and accreditation of racing professionals and administrators. He cited in particular an online learning platform, the result of nine months' development work by the Club's Racing Development Board, which has been designed to meet the differing needs of most racing jurisdictions. It can operate in bilingual modes and lets students go through the course at their own pace, thus allowing users a high degree of flexibility.
"There is high interest among Asian Racing Federation members in accessing this platform," Mr Nader said, noting that the Club had already spoken with racing organisations in Dubai, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and providers in Australia who wanted to discuss access options.
Over 110 Club staff, including Apprentice Jockeys, Apprentice Jockey Trainees, Stables Attendants, Head Lads and Work Riders are now receiving training programmes from the Racing Development Board, which was established in 2005 with the aim of establishing formalised training programmes leading to qualifications that are recognised worldwide.
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Photo 1:
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Mr William A Nader, Executive Director, Racing gives his speech at the ceremony.
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Photo 2
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Photo 3:
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Mr William A Nader, Executive Director, Racing and Mr John Graham, Manager, Racing Development Board unveil the commemorative plaque.
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Photo 4
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Photo 5:
The Racing Development Board members and officials make the blessing. From left: Ms Amy Chan, Racing Talent Development Manager, Mr Joe Wong, Director of Human Capital, Mr John Ridley, Head of Racing Operations, Mr William A Nader, Executive Director, Racing, Mr Jamie Stier, Chief Stipendiary Steward and Mr John Graham, Manager, Racing Development Board.
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Photo 6:
The guests cut the roasted pigs.
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Photo 7:
Mr John Graham, Manager, Racing Development Board (left) introduces the facilities of the Racing Talent Development Stable.
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Photo 8:
Mr John Graham, Manager, Racing Development Board explains the feature of the online learning programme.
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Photo 9:
The well-equipped computer-learning lab.
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