The Hong Kong Jockey Club has an excellent track record at developing local talent into world-class racing professionals. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is recruiting its 2018 intake of Racing Trainees between Friday, 1 June and Friday, 13 July, providing young people with an opportunity to take a step towards pursuing a rewarding race-riding career in the city’s world-class horse racing industry.

Members of the public aged 15 or above who have completed Form Three education, are diligent with a positive attitude, and have a passion for sports, are welcome to apply. Officials of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School and trainers will select applicants, who successfully pass riding and fitness tests in late July, to attend an orientation camp. The 25 best-performed applicants will be selected to join the programme.

Apart from learning to be jockeys, Racing Trainees have the chance to make the most of their talents by taking up a wide range of posts in the horseracing industry – as work riders, veterinary clinical technicians, equestrian assistants, farriers or racing management trainees. The Club’s Racing Development Board Executive Manager and Headmistress of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School, Amy Chan, encourages young people who hold aspirations for a career in horse racing to seize this opportunity and take the first step towards fulfilling those dreams.

The Club will provide an all-round education, including – but not limited to – racing techniques and skills. Students will be taught academic subjects, but there will also be other courses to further various aspects of personal development. It is hoped that the students will benefit from their studies in a way that will prepare them for their future.

Successful candidates will begin the Racing Trainee Programme, which includes courses on riding technique, horse grooming, stable management, English, IT, sports science, music and personal financial management.

The Racing Trainee 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, required within the local vocational education system, which will benefit those who are preparing to continue with further study. In addition, the Racing Trainees will have the chance to go overseas to learn more about the racing industry in other countries, while widening their scope as they live and work within a different culture.

The Club is renowned globally for the quality of its racing professionals. For more than 45 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 participants, such as Champion Trainer Dennis Yip and Champion Jockey and Trainer Tony Cruz, who excelled not only at the local level, but also achieved great feats on the international stage, advancing Hong Kong’s reputation in the sport worldwide.

Anyone interested in obtaining further details about the Racing Trainees Programme or applying for the programme should visit the Racing Development Board website at www.hkjc.com/rdb.