Horsemanship for the Thoroughbred Industry QQI Major Award at Level 5 The overall aim of the programme is to provide the learner with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence needed to work in a range of roles in the equine sector and /or to progress to further or higher education and training. 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. Amateur Schooling Progression Course (A3 Licence) 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. Amateur Schooling Preparation (A1 Licence) We are delighted to announced a new 1-day Amateur Riders Schooling Preparation Course for current A1 Category Licence holders fully-funded by CARE. 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. Industry Short Courses 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 - Jockey Taster 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. 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 A 3rd Irish Derby for RACE Trainee Jockey Course Graduate, Seamie Heffernan 22 RACE Graduates won 41 races around the world last week with Seamie Heffernan (white cap) stealing the limelight with a memorable victory on Capri for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore Partners in the Group 1 Irish Derby at the Curragh on Saturday. Kildare-man Seamie was recording a 3rd win in Ireland's most prestigious flat race and his win was not unexpected with pre-race talk on course that Capri had really sparkled in his last piece of work before Saturday's bigrace. Seamie has been a key part of Aidan O'Brien's team for the 20 years and is a credit to himself that at 44 years of age he is riding at the height of his powers. Seamie completed the Trainee Jockey Course in 1988 and along with Joe Fanning (1986) and John Egan (1984), both of whom also rode winners last week, he has certainly enjoyed a long and fruitful career. In his post-race interview Seamie said he's already looking forward to trying to add a 4th Irish Derby triumph to his CV next year! Keep Up to Date With RACE On Social Media For all the latest information on RACE training, activities and upcoming courses follow us on social media. Click on any of the social media links below to find daily posts, pictures, videos and information. 2020 TRAINEE JOCKEY COURSE OPEN DAYS The 1st step to apply for the 2020/2021 Trainee Jockey Course is to book a place on an Open Day by completing an Open Day Booking & Expression of Interest Form. Click here to download this form: 2020 Expression of interest Open Day Booking Form The dates for 2020 Open Days for the Trainee Jockey Course are: February 5th, 19th and 26th March 11th and 25th April 8th, 15th and 29th May 13th and 20th All Open Days fall on a Wednesday and start at 2pm. Details of the course and how to apply will be explained at Open Days before taking a tour of campus, after which candidates can sit down on a one-to-one basis with a member of staff and ask us any questions. Future Jockey – 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.
