Racing bodies welcome charity group for annual Careers & Activity day
On May 3rd the British Horseracing Authority, Jockey Club, Great British Racing (GBR) and the Racehorse Owners Association once again opened their doors to a group of young Londoners being supported by youth charity Active Communities Network, as part of the Racing Foundation-funded Take The Reins programme. This is the third year that racing staff from across administrative, marketing, communication and charitable functions have volunteered their time to talk to young people about the diversity of roles and opportunities in the sport. The event is one of the activities that forms part of the fast-expanding Racing Together Community day on May 9th.
Nevin Truesdale from The Jockey Club encouraged the group, who are now planning their first steps into work, to consider the many hospitality opportunities the sport offers. “Within Jockey Club Catering there is great training and experience to be gained in customer service,” he said.
A Careers speed-networking event brought together a range of industry people, with each of the group taking a turn to grill staff on their roles and how their careers developed.
Fabienne Bruno, who attended the day alongside sister, Marchella, said: “I had no idea what was involved in the sport and I thought that the marketing and creativity side was really interesting. Even the law side was good. I would like to try out something involving hospitality.”
Earlier in the day, the group was given a talk from Careers in Racing and learnt about the sport’s marketing drive through GBR’s initiatives. Owner & Breeder magazine editor, Edward Rosenthal was also on hand to reveal the secrets of putting together the popular racing industry magazine.
No visit to the BHA would be complete without the experience of listening to Lyn Williams, the doyen of the governing body’s disciplinary team. The rules of careless riding being explained with Lyn’s trademark animation and gusto.
The group enjoyed a full day and left with plenty of positive ideas about the relevance of racing to their future working lives.
Reflecting on the day: Fabienne and Marchella Bruno and Ashe- Connor Molyneux- Killik