Alice Cosgrove – Racing Together Career Profile

Today we speak to Alice Cosgrove, a recently industry accredited Clerk of the Course for the Jockey Club

How did you get into the industry?

I was lucky enough to grow up in my Grandad’s Point to Point yard and this is where my passion for the industry comes from. Having been heavily involved in the grassroots side of the sport from a young age, it was always clear in my mind that I wanted to work in the industry one day, although at the time I wasn’t 100% sure in what capacity. A career as a jockey never appealed to me, although I did ride in Point to Points as an Amateur, so I started to look at the administration side of the industry and I haven’t looked back. I have since held roles at Godolphin and the British Horseracing Authority, before joining The Jockey Club last year.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Having spent the last 12 months as a Trainee Clerk of the Course, last month I became an industry accredited Clerk of the Course. It’s a very varied role, but my favourite part would have to be the racedays, purely because it’s the day you see all your hard work come together, from race planning to turf management. It’s a real buzz when the day goes well!

What was your role in Festival Monday?

I joined a group of students from Holy Trinity Primary School during Festival Monday, during which time they were able to meet with ex-top jockeys Tom Scudamore and Barry Geraghty, channel their inner jockey on the Equicisor and get up close to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It was a great day and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them, especially answering their enthusiastic questions!

Why do you think Community Engagement is so important for horse racing and what is The Jockey Club’s role in this?

Engaging with our local communities is so important to racing, as it enables us to promote the positive messages that make our sport so special. Opening the door to young people I hope will allow them to fall in love with horses and horseracing, as much as I did when I was younger. The Jockey Club have an excellent community engagement programme around the Group, from hosting days like Festival Monday for school children to Christmas lunches for the local pensioners. They are all rewarding activities to be involved in and have huge benefits for everyone lucky enough to be involved.

Who is your favourite racehorse past or present?

From the past, it’s a toss-up between the recently retired Cheltenham ‘bridesmaid’, Melon, and the Hennessy Gold Cup-winning Smad Place. I love an underdog and I can’t choose between them.

Presently, my favourite horse in training would have to be A Plus Tard. I just love everything about him and should Henry De Bromhead and Cheveley Park need a home for him in his retirement, I’d happily volunteer!

What do you do outside of work to relax?

Outside of work I love walking with my little Jack Russell, Todd, especially at the beach. I also love reading, so any quiet moment will see me with my head in a book.