Newmarket Training up Future Stars of the Turf

For the first time, LovetheRaces.com has put together a unique video offering an insight into the lives of Kieran Shoemark and Jack Garrity as they tackle the College's four week foundation course designed to prepare them for a future in racing and giving a glimpse behind-the-scenes of the residential programme. And they are following in some illustrious footsteps with racing greats such as two-time British Champion flat jockey, Paul Hanagan, also being an alumnus of the course.

Taking them through the full gamut of skills they'll need to make it in the racing world, Jack is in no doubt about the course's value. He said, "It's definitely helped me on the horse care side of things - how to look for signs of the horse's health, medication, how often they need shoeing. Even on the riding side I've picked up technical things which will hopefully stand me in good stead for the future." Kieran is likewise enthused: "I've ridden out for trainers before and thought I could ride, but I realise that there's a lot more to it - from stable management to being a horseman, looking out for signs that a horse is feeling well or not, looking after a stable and yard work."

The course aims to school youngsters in all the areas they'll need in order to successfully join a racing yard, and has 70 retired racehorses all needing care and attention. Each day the students ride out the horses, muck out the stables and take part in yard duty but there are also gym facilities to improve their fitness and class room work, including maths and English exams to ensure that students have a range of skills. Rory MacDonald, the Chief Executive of the British Racing School said, "There's no doubting that the course is tough but that's to help prepare the young people for the realities of racing. We work hard to develop them so that they come out of the course as rounded individuals."

Have a look at the video here