THE current staff shortage in racing is the focus of a new initiative by Askham Bryan College, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Racing Foundation.
To tackle the shortage and to inspire more young people to pursue careers within the industry, the £700,000 'Racing Stream' initiative will see the development of a purpose-built racing yard, including all-weather gallops, outdoor school, 16-box stable block and ancillary facilities at the college’s York campus.
The investment will provide a range of racing-related courses at all levels, including stable staff, work riders, racing secretaries, sports turf management, pony racing and point-to-point jockey training.
Askham Bryan made its racing debut last year with the construction of a point-to-point course which has been used successfully by the Badsworth and Bramham Moor and West of Yore hunts, as well as by students studying a range of courses.
Liz Philip, executive principal of Askham Bryan College, said: "This is exciting and extremely significant, not only for those with the dream of a career in racing, but for UK racing as a whole.
"Our York campus is ideally situated between Malton and Middleham, the two main centres of racehorse training in the North."
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