In order to provide an opportunity for youngsters to join the horse racing industry and promote diversified development for multiple pathways, 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 starting today (Monday, 12 June), with the closing date for applications being Saturday, 29 July.

After professional training, graduates as Racing Trainees will have the chance to become apprentice jockeys and ride at Happy Valley and Sha Tin Racecourses or one of several other exciting posts within the horse racing industry, namely work rider, veterinary clinical technician, equestrian assistant, farrier and many more.

Members of the public aged 15 or above who have completed Form Three education, and are diligent, with a positive attitude, have a passion and aptitude for sports, are invited to apply. There is no height limit or prior horse riding experience required, while the reference weights of apprentice jockeys and work riders are approximately 105lb and 125lb, respectively.

A Dual Education System is applied at the Apprentice Jockeys’ School. The school will educate Racing Trainees with an integrated knowledge and provide them with vocational training as well. Each Racing Trainee will study a wide range of courses, including riding techniques, horse care, stable management, English, sports science, music, information technology and personal financial management. This curriculum will not only ensure Racing Trainees receive all-round education, but also equip them with the skillset required to meet different posts within The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Graduates will receive a certificate equivalent of Level 1 to Level 3, which is accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. This is beneficial to those who are preparing to continue with further studies as well as all-round career development. In addition, Racing Trainees will have the chance to go overseas for training to further their career in the horse racing industry, while widening their scope as they live and work within a different culture.

“We will mentor the trainees to develop their individual career path according to their talents and interests, providing them with all of the necessary professional training. We hope all of our students will benefit from their studies with us and better equip themselves for future challenges,” said Amy Chan, Executive Manager of the Racing Talent Training Centre and Headmistress of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School.

Aside from the chance to become an apprentice jockey, Racing Trainees have the opportunity to bring their talents into full play by taking up a wide range of positions in the horse racing industry.

Assistant Trainer Kyle Lai, who joined the programme in 2015, is one of many successful graduates. Commencing as a work rider after graduation, Lai was promoted to Assistant Trainer in four years and now works alongside Trainer Jimmy Ting.

Anyone interested in obtaining further details about the Racing Trainees Programme and applying should visit the Racing Talent Training Centre website at www.hkjc.com/rttc.

Riding instructors at the Apprentice Jockeys’ School will select applicants, who must pass fitness tests 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 standout applicants will then be selected to join the programme.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has an excellent track record of developing local talent to support the development of Hong Kong’s world-class horse racing industry. Since the Apprentice Jockeys’ School was founded in 1972, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has offered a comprehensive training programme for youths who want to join the horse racing industry for more than 50 years. A number of current outstanding trainers and jockeys are graduates of the programme, such as the legendary jockey-turned-trainer Tony Cruz, champion trainers Frankie Lor and Ricky Yiu, Francis Lui, trainer of Horse of the Year Golden Sixty, as well as leading jockeys Vincent Ho, Matthew Chadwick and Derek Leung, all of whom have excelled in the sport and have advanced Hong Kong’s horse racing reputation worldwide.

Racing trainees learn riding skills and horse care.