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Club��s Racing Trainee recruitment starts on Monday

26/06/2017

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has an excellent track record at developing local talent into world-class racing professionals. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is recruiting its latest intake of Racing Trainees between Monday, 26 June and Wednesday, 19 July 2017, providing young people with an opportunity to take a step towards pursing a rewarding race-riding career in the city’s world-class horse racing industry.

Members of the public aged 15 or above who have completed Form Three education, are diligent with a positive attitude, and have a passion for sports, are welcome to apply. Officials of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School and trainers will select applicants, who successful pass the 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.

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, for instance 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 career in horse racing to seize this chance and take the first step to “Living Your Equine Dream”.

The Club will provide an all-round education, including but not limited to racing techniques and skills. Students will be taught academic subjects but there will also be 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.

Successful candidates will begin the Racing Trainee Programme that includes courses on 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 for 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.

Frankie Lor was recently granted a trainer’s licence and will begin the next phase of his career in July. He encourages youngsters to set their sights high and pursue their goals.

“I joined similar programme more than thirty years ago,” he said. “I worked at different posts in order to learn the various aspects of racing, gain knowledge and acquire valuable experience. Recently, I was granted a trainer’s licence for next season, so it seems that dream come true finally.”

Apprentice Jockey Matthew Poon, South Australia's Champion Apprentice Jockey in the 2015/2016 racing season, returned to race in Hong Kong in March this season and has so far scored 17 winners. He reckons the comprehensive training programme at the Apprentice Jockeys’ School, especially the overseas training, has helped him to develop a burgeoning race-riding career. “I raced in South Australia hundreds times, accumulating a lot of racing experience, and that has laid a good foundation for me to ride in Hong Kong,” Poon said.

The Club is renowned globally for the quality of its racing professionals. For more than 40 years, the Club has offered a comprehensive training programme for youngsters who want to join the racing industry. There have been a number of outstanding jockeys and trainers, such as the Champion Trainer Dennis Yip and Champion Jockey and Trainer Tony Cruz, who excelled not only at the local level, but also earned great achievements on the international stage, advancing Hong Kong’s reputation in the sport 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.

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 chance to apply.
Photo 1:
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 chance to apply.

2017/18 Trainer Frankie Lor encourages youngsters to set targets and work to achieve them.
Photo 2:
2017/18 Trainer Frankie Lor encourages youngsters to set targets and work to achieve them.

Apprentice Jockey Matthew Poon attributes his success to the Club��s Racing Trainee Programme.
Photo 3:
Apprentice Jockey Matthew Poon attributes his success to the Club��s Racing Trainee Programme.

Veterinary Clinical Technician Ken Ng describes his career development.
Photo 4:
Veterinary Clinical Technician Ken Ng describes his career development.

A group photo at the press briefing for the Racing Trainee Recruitment.
Photo 5:
A group photo at the press briefing for the Racing Trainee Recruitment.

 

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