The British Horseracing Authority has launched Racing Excellence – an industry accreditation for all race series run under the Hands & Heels or Training Race conditions.
The programme kicks off on Saturday 15th May 2010 at Newmarket with the first race in the 2010 Racing Excellence Hands and Heels Apprentice Series. The various series are supported by leading Jockey Coaches Richard Perham, Steve Smith-Eccles, Jimmy Bleasdale, Michael Tebbut and Jason Callaghan, who will attend every race to provide expert tuition in race riding, tactics, fitness, professionalism and conduct.
In conjunction with the launch, the British Horseracing Authority is pleased to unveil the programme’s dedicated microsite, www.careersinracing.com/racingexcellence.
It has long been recognised that inexperienced jockeys benefit from structured coaching to develop their skills and with 74 races across seven series, over both Flat and Jumps, Racing Excellence provides youngsters valuable experience to rise to the next level.
The seven series range from those open to jockeys who have ridden less than ten winners, to three series for jockeys who have ridden up to 20 winners, providing support and guidance from grass roots level.
Axminster Carpets has teamed up with Salisbury Racecourse as the generous sponsors of the Salisbury Apprentice Series while Betfair will continue their sponsorship of the Apprentice and Conditional Training Race Series. Media Partner the Racing Post will support the series through coverage in the paper and online at racingpost.com.
Racing Excellence Ambassador, John Francome, said: “I am pleased to be the Ambassador for Racing Excellence. I am passionate about developing good riding skills and learning to use your hands and heels instead of relying on the whip.
“These training races provide an invaluable opportunity to develop these skills and I would encourage any young jockey to take part.”
Nic Coward, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, added: “The pursuit of excellence is at the fore of all facets of British Horseracing, and via the Racing Excellence series we seek to ensure that our Champion Jockeys of the future are given the best possible education at the earliest stages of their career.
“You only have to look at the roll call of previous winners to see that this series acts as a springboard to success, and is a vital part of our wider education and training programme. The series also encourages the core values of professionalism, horsemanship and sportsmanship, traits that abound in our current Champions, A P McCoy and Ryan Moore.”
Tony Calvin, Betfair Head of Media, said: “Betfair supports a number of industry-wide initiatives in horseracing, and we feel that that our sponsorship of the Apprentice and Conditional Training Series is a particularly important and worthwhile association.
“We have sponsored the Flat Apprentice and the Jumps Conditional series since 2006 and 2009 respectively, and supporting the up-and-coming pilots has proved a rewarding experience for all involved.”
For further information, please contact Samantha Martin, British Horseracing Authority Training, Welfare and Community Associate, on 020 7152 0019 or [email protected]
