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Racehorse trainer

Alternative titles for this job include Horse racing trainer, equine trainer

Racehorse trainers run stables, manage staff, look after horses' training and welfare, and prepare them for races.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

45 to 47 a week

You could work

early mornings flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Racehorse trainer

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies

Apprenticeship

You can work towards this role by doing a senior equine groom advanced apprenticeship.

This will usually take at least 18 months to complete.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could work at a racing stables as a groom, a rider or instructor. You would then move on to become an assistant trainer before applying for the full trainer's licence.

As an assistant trainer, you could do a 3-day course at The British Racing School or National Horseracing College, which includes:

  • staff management
  • handicapping
  • media training
  • health and safety
  • racing welfare
  • licensing

Other Routes

If you have a lot of experience in a stables, you could complete the Level 3 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care and the trainer's pre-licence preparation course.

You could then apply for a trainer's licence from the British Horseracing Authority.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about about working in horse racing from careersinracing.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work on your own
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You must have a trainer licence issued by the British Horseracing Authority.

To apply for a licence, you'll need to meet several conditions, for example, you must:

  • complete the Level 3 Diploma in Racehorse Care and Management
  • have a minimum of 5 years' experience in a racing yard
  • pass a pre-licence training course with The British Racing School at Newmarket, or the National Horseracing College at Doncaster

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • work out daily training and exercise routines
  • plan feeding programmes for each horse
  • monitor horses’ development
  • talk to staff and vets about any problems
  • supervise stable staff
  • manage preparations and travel for race days
  • keep racehorse owners up to date with their horses’ progress
  • deal with administrative work like training records, wages and payments

Working environment

You could work at a riding stable, in an office or at a race track.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could become a specialist racing consultant, trainer instructor, bloodstock agent or thoroughbred breeder.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Equine Groom Apprentice - Breeding and Eventing

  • Wage: £13,312 a year Annually
  • Location: FORD, BUCKS

Equine Groom Apprentice - National Hunt Racing Yard

  • Wage: £13,312 a year Annually
  • Location: WITHINGTON, CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Equine (Horse Care)

  • Provider: SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Ipswich

Horse Care Diploma Level 2 (LE2) (LF)

  • Provider: SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Penkridge
Find courses near you

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