Racing Trainee programme opens for applications on 27 June

06/27/2016

The Hong Kong Jockey Club always endeavours to discover local talent and develop individuals into world-class racing professionals. Here is a perfect opportunity for youngsters to live their equine dreams and take a further step to pursue a race riding career in the city’s world-class horse racing industry. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is recruiting its latest intake of Racing Trainees between Monday, 27 June and Wednesday, 20 July.

Members of the public aged 15 or above who have completed Form Three education, are hard working with a positive attitude, and have a passion for sport, are welcome to apply. The officials of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School and trainers will select talented applicants from riding and fitness tests in late July to attend the orientation camp. The 25 applicants with the best performances will be selected to join the programme.

“We have a mission to ensure our students become successful as jockeys or in other roles by providing them with an all-round education, including but not limited to equine skills. Students will be taught academic subjects, but there will also be other courses to help with various aspects of personal development. We hope all of our selected students will benefit from their studies with us and will be better equipped for future challenges,” explained Amy Chan, the Club’s Racing Development Board Executive Manager and Headmistress of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School.

She also pointed out that apart from learning to be jockeys, Racing Trainees have the chance to develop their talents in a wide range of posts in the equine field, for instance as work riders, racing management trainees, equestrian assistants or farriers. As such, there are plenty of career choices awaiting successful applicants.

The Racing Trainee Programme covers riding techniques, horse grooming, stable management, English, IT, sports science, music and personal financial management.

The Programme is designed by the Racing Development Board which has been given accreditation by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ). Graduates will receive a certificate equivalent to Level 1 to Level 3 accreditation within the local vocational education system. This will be beneficial to those who are preparing to study further or for career development.  In addition, Racing Trainees will have the chance to be sent overseas for training to broaden their experience and learn more about other racing cultures.

Apprentice Jockey Kei Chiong, who first raced in Hong Kong this season and scored 34 winners, believes that boys or girls will get success if they put effort into their work. “In the early stages, my fitness and riding skill was inferior to my male classmates, but I added more training sessions for myself. After a period of time, my performance was as good as my classmates and I have succeeded in becoming an apprentice jockey,” she said.

The Club is renowned globally for the quality of its racing professionals. For more than 40 years, the Club has offered a comprehensive training programme for youngsters who want to join the racing industry. There have been a number of outstanding jockeys or trainers, such as the Champion Trainer Dennis Yip and Champion Jockey and Trainer Tony Cruz, who excelled not only at local levels, but also made great achievements in the international world of horse racing, earning Hong Kong a stellar reputation in the sport worldwide.

Anyone interested in obtaining further details about Racing Trainees Programme or applying should visit the website of the Racing Development Board at 203.215.253.53/rdb.