The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, which is under the Racing Talent Training Centre, is recruiting its latest intake of Racing Trainees, with the closing date for applications on Saturday, 30 July.

The Club has an excellent track record of developing local talent into world-class horse racing 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. There is no height limit on joining as a Racing Trainee, while the weights of apprentice jockeys and riders are approximately 105 pounds and 125 pounds, respectively.

Riding instructors at the Apprentice Jockeys’ School (AJS) will select applicants, who must pass fitness tests to be staged in batches in July and August, as well as a riding test, with a group of applicants then shortlisted for an orientation camp. The 25 applicants with the best performances will be selected to join the programme. No prior horse riding experience is necessary.

Racing trainees learning riding skills and horse care.

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 horse racing industry, as work riders, veterinary clinical technicians, equestrian assistants, farriers or racing management trainees.

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, sports science, music, information technology, and personal financial management.

The Racing Trainee Programme is designed by the Racing Talent Training Centre 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.

The Club is renowned globally for the quality of its racing professionals. Since the AJS was founded in 1972, the Club has offered a comprehensive training programme for youngsters who want to join the racing industry for the past 50 years. A number of outstanding trainers and jockeys are graduates of the programme, such as the legendary jockey-turned-trainer Tony Cruz, champion trainers Dennis Yip and Ricky Yiu as well as leading local jockeys Matthew Chadwick, 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 Talent Training Centre website at www.hkjc.com/rttc.