Exercise Rider An 8-week non-residential course (Mon to Sat lunchtime) for those who wish to train to become an exercise rider in a racing yard. Previous riding experience is necessary. This course is funded by Horse Racing Ireland. Point-to-Point – Race Riding Skills A 1-day course delivered by leading Amateur Rider, Derek O’Connor in conjunction with RACE and funded by CARE. Riders are coached on schooling over jumps, race-riding skills and fitness. Click on this page for dates for this course and how to apply for a place. Trainers Licensing Course A 9-day mandatory course delivered in three, 3-day modules for all those wishing to apply for a full or restricted Trainer’s License. This is a Turf Club course delivered by RACE and applications should be made through the Turf Club. Equine Transport License Course A ½ day course for anyone transporting horses in connection with economic activity as required by law. Training and a 30-question exam provided. Certification is granted through the Dept. Of Agriculture. Further Education Classes 1 night per week run over 14 weeks, we offer QQI Level 5 modules in Equine Anatomy & Physiology and also Equine Nutrition as part of the National Framework of Qualifications. Qualified Rider Course & Assessment Anyone applying for a Qualified Rider’s licence must first complete a mandatory assessment here at RACE. These assessments are carried out on behalf of the Turf Club. Licence applications are made through the Turf Club. Please see below for a detailed description of this assessment. Apprentice/Conditional Jockey Assessment Anyone applying for a Conditional jockey or Apprentice Jockey licence must first complete a mandatory assessment here at RACE. These assessments are carried out on behalf of the Turf Club. Licence applications are made through the Turf Club. Please see below for a detailed description of this assessment. Individual/Group Training We provide one-to-one coaching and training to individuals or small groups on simulators, gym fitness, and/or riding (on your own horse) on an ad hoc basis. If you let us know your needs we can cater to meet them. Please click below to get in touch. Pony Club – Junior Academy 2-day course for members of the Irish Pony Club who have been nominated to participate in a Pony Club exhibition at the Curragh racecourse. Riders are coached in race-riding skills, fitness, racehorse care & training. Coaching includes video reviews and simulator instruction. Pony Racing – Junior Academy 1-day courses run for under 16s who wish to develop their race-riding skills. These Junior Academy days are open to riders of all levels of ability and each Junior Academy day is aimed at riders of similar experienced from beginners to advanced. You do not need to own your own pony or have previous experience of pony racing. Click here for more details. A Great Week on the Track and on Campus 26 RACE Graduates rode 46 winners around the world last week. Joe Fanning ('86) easily topped the list with an amazing 9 winners last week including a treble at Musselburgh and a double at Brighton. Shane Foley ('05) notched 4 winners (Naas, Clonmel, Cork & Leopardstown) including a Gr.3 win at Naas on a Rehana, a filly that looks a live prospect for the Irish 1,000 Guineas (pictured). Pat Dobbs ('94) won 3 races (Windsor & Nottingham) including a double at Windsor, Kieran O'Neill ('04) rode a double at Bath, James Graham ('95) rode a double at Churchill Downs, USA, while Chris Hayes ('04) (Clonmel & Cork), Brian Hughes ('02) (Hexham & Sedgefield), Sean Flanagan ('05) (Ballinrobe & Downpatrick), Shane Kelly ('93) (Windsor & Goodwood) and Stevie Donohoe ('01) (Brighton & Chepstow) each rode 2 winners. Jerry McGrath ('07) (Kempton Park), Conor Ring ('09) (Warwick), Robert Winston ('96) (Wolverhampton), Daryl Jacob ('00) (Listed winner at Compiegne, France), Barry McHugh ('99) (Pontefract), Dylan Hogan ('12) (Clonmel), John Fahy ('07) (Lingfield), Colm McCormack ('06) (Sedgefield), Rory Cleary ('03) (Cork), Gerard Galligan ('09) (The Plains, Virginia, USA), Declan Cannon ('04) (Churchill Downs, USA), Emily Finnegan ('10) (Balaklava, Aus.), Conor O'Farrell ('06) (Nancy, France), James O'Sullivan ('11) (Wexford), Dylan Robinson ('11) (Wexford), and Leigh Roche ('08) (Leopardstown) all rode a winner. Congratulations to all #RACEwinners #flatjockeys #jumpjockeys#hopethatseveryone! Last week we held the first of three scheduled Point-to-Point Race-Riding Skills Courses with Derek O'Connor funded by CARE (www.workinracing.ie), demand has exceeded supply for places on these courses but we plan to schedule more days this year and places are offered to holders of a Qualified Riders license on a first-come-first-served basis, so anyone wishing to avail of this fully-funded training should get their name down as soon as possible. We held our 3rd Junior Academy Training Days for pony race riders last Saturday and it was another great success. 12 young riders with aspirations of become jockeys and work-riders in the future were put through their paces here at RACE on practical training around racehorses and stable yard routine, simulator lessons, fitness training and as session with a Sports Dietitian. RACE Graduate Leigh Roche called in to talk to the group about his career path and what it takes to become a jockey and the importance of being a good team player in a racing yard. We look forward to having all the riders back to RACE in the future for more training. Get a Career Leg-Up on our Exercise Rider Course Weekly Round-Up from Around the World - 29/05/17 22 RACE graduates won 37 races around the world last week. Chris Hayes('04) landed the Greenlands Stakes, Gr.2 in driving rain at the Curragh on Saturday on popular veteran, Gordon Lord Byron (pictured) to add to wins at Gowran Park and the Curragh yesterday. James Graham ('95) won 4 races at Chuchhil Downs, USA including a double on Friday. Shane Kelly ('93) rode 3 winners (Redcar, Goodwood & Salisbury) as did James Sullivan ('04) (Carlisle, Catterick & Musselburgh). Samantha Wynne ('05) rode a double at Wingatui, NZ and Joe Fanning ('86) rode a double at Musselburgh. Paddy Kennedy ('05) rode 2 winners (Punchestown & Wexford) as did John Egan ('84) (Brighton & Yarmouth), Stephen Wilson ('03) (Mackay & Townsville, Australia) and Pat Dobbs ('94) (Bath & Goodwood). Philip Donovan ('12) rode (we think!) a first winner over jumps at Uttoxeter yesterday, while Robbie Dunne ('01) (Southwell), Sean Flanagan ('05) (Wexford), Rob J. Fitzpatrick ('09) (Catterick), Seamie Heffernan ('88) (Tipperary), Jonathan Moore ('10) & Dylan Robinson ('11) (both Down Royal), Shane Foley ('05) (Leopardstown), Julie Burke ('07) (Belterras Park, USA), David Moran ('99) (Woodbine, Canada), Akshay Balloo ('09) (Kenilworth, RSA) and Conor O'Farrell ('06) (Chatillon, France) all rode a winner. Well done to all #RACEwinners #flatjockeys #jumpjockeys
