The course covers a wide range of topics aimed at giving each delegate an informed and detailed perspective of the international racing scene.

Four main subject areas form the framework of the course-

4 Themes:

1. An introduction to racing

- Historical perspective
- Racing within the UK economy today
- International Racing

2. The funding of racing

- Unravelling the complexities of the funding of racing
- Current issues surrounding prize money in the UK and abroad
- Bookmakers and the Tote

3. Breeding, training and the management of horses for racing

- A trainer's perspective
- A jockey's perspective from one of the UK's top jockeys
- Topical discussion on issues such as horse welfare and thoroughbred breeding from subject experts

4. Racecourses and the public appeal of racing

- The marketing and rebranding of racing in an increasingly competitive arena
- The place of the media in racing
- Integrity in UK and international racing

Speakers that featured on the 2010 course include:

  • Nic Coward, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority
  • Louis Romanet, former Director General of France Galop
  • Rod Street, Project Director for Racing Enterprises Limited
  • Rory MacDonald OBE, Chief Executive of The British Racing School
  • Jon Ryan, Director of Communications at the British Horseracing Authority
  • Paul Dixon, President of the Racehorse Owners Association
  • Brough Scott, Chairman of Injured Jockeys Fund, top horseracing journalist and television presenter
  • Michael O'Hagan, Chief Executive of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing
  • Adrian McGlynn, Company Secretary of Weatherbys
  • Paul Struthers, Public Relations Manager at the British Horseracing Authority
  • Ian Balding, highly regarded former Royal racehorse trainer who produced group winners such as Mill Reef, Lochsong and Selkirk
  • Stephen Wallis, Managing Director of Newmarket Racecourses
  • Jim Cornelius, Chief Executive of the National Association of Stable Staff
  • Sam Sheppard, Chief Executive of the European Breeders' Fund
  • Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive of the Horserace Betting Levy Board
  • David Oldrey, former Steward of The Jockey Club
  • Caroline Turnbull, Education and Employment Manager at the Thoroughbred Breeders Association
  • Sara Hay-Jahans, Head of Training and Development at the British Horseracing Authority
  • Barry Faulkner, Association of British Bookmakers
  • Lynn Hillyer, Veterinary Adviser to the British Horseracing Authority
  • Kevin Darley, Chief Executive of the Professional Jockeys Association

There were also trips to Darley's operation at Dalham Hall Stud, the breeze-up sales at Tattersalls, a private tour of the Jockey Club Rooms and a behind-the-scenes look at the yard of racehorse trainer Mark Tompkins.

For information on the 2011 course click here.

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The Racing Industry Course is a British Horseracing Authority Programme.