The Hong Kong Jockey Club is recruiting its latest intake of Racing Trainees, with the closing date for applications being Friday, 12 July 2019.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has an excellent track record of developing local talent into world-class horseracing professionals, providing young people with an opportunity to take a step towards pursing a rewarding career in a vibrant industry. For some, that can mean a race-riding career as a jockey on the world famous Hong Kong circuit.

Members of the public aged 15 or above who have completed Form Three education, are diligent, with a positive attitude, and have a passion and aptitude for sports, are welcome to apply. Officials of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School and trainers will select applicants, who must pass riding and fitness tests in late July, to attend an orientation camp. The 25 applicants with the best performances will be selected to join the programme. No prior horse riding experience is necessary.

Apart from learning to be jockeys, Racing Trainees have the chance to bring their talents into full play 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 aspire to a career in horse racing to seize the 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 as well as other courses to help 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.

Courses for Racing Trainees include riding techniques, 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 criteria, required within the local vocational education system. This will be beneficial to those who are preparing to continue with further study as well as all-round career development. In addition, the Racing Trainees will have the chance go overseas for training to learn more about the racing industry in other countries, while widening their scope as they live and work within a different culture.

Kyle’s experience

Kyle Lai attended the Apprentice Jockeys’ School in 2013. He became a track-work rider at the end of his two-year programme. Four years later, in 2019, Lai was promoted to Assistant Trainer and was allocated to trainer Jimmy Ting’s stable to assist in stable management work at Conghua Racecourse.

When Lai joined the school, his ambition was to become a jockey. However, as he matured and grew, he was unable to meet the weight requirement and changed his focus to becoming a work rider.

Lai said, “Graduating from the Apprentice Jockeys’ School opens up a lot of opportunities. Apart from being a jockey, many other jobs and career paths are available. As long as long you prepare well, you will get the opportunities.”

The Club is renowned globally for the quality of its racing professionals. For the past 47 years, the Club has offered a comprehensive training programme for youngsters who want to join the racing industry. A number of outstanding trainers and jockeys are graduates of the programme, such as the legendary jockey-turned-trainer Tony Cruz, champion trainer Dennis Yip, current leading local trainer Frankie Lor and leading local jockeys Vincent Ho and Derek Leung, all of whom have excelled in the sport and have advanced Hong Kong’s reputation 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.