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Trainer
What's Involved?
Training Racehorses! Aside from all that this encompasses you will be running a business, whether you are a sole trader or a company you will need to understand the issues facing your business. You will have financial and statutory obligations which you will need to be aware of as well as employment law, health and safety and the rules of racing.
What skills do you need?
In terms of qualifications, an NVQ Level 3 in Racehorse Care and Management is required as well as attending the Trainers Courses at The British Racing School. You will also require a Licence to train from the British Horseracing Authority. When you apply for a Trainers Licence, the British Horseracing Authority will expect to see a business plan, professional references and a financial statement that confirms you either have substantial working capital or overdraft.
Name: Oliver Sherwood
I was interested in horses from a young age, my father had horses in training, I was a member of the Pony Club and I competed in 3 day events - in fact my teacher at Pony Club was James Fanshawe's father!
My ambition was to be a professional Jockey but I soon realised that I was going to be too heavy. My father thought it would be a good idea to head to Australia as I might get the thought of racing out of my head but it had the opposite effect! I returned to England and headed for Newmarket to work for Gavin Pritchard Gordon, I then spent 9 years as an amateur jockey, 3 with Arthur Moore and the other 6 with Fred Winter. When I applied for the job of Assistant to Fred Winter his comments were, I could take the post if I was bringing a good horse! The horse was Venture to Cognac and ended up winning the Sun Alliance Novice's Hurdle so I kept my side of the bargain! I stayed with Fred as his assistant for 6 years and the in 1984 I started up training for myself.
The highs of training would be the winners, not just the televised or big race winners but any winner, my heart is always pounding as the horse comes to the 2nd last with a chance! The lows would be the injuries and having to tell owners, I can't stand doing it, even after all these years it doesn't get easier.