by Bernard Kenny
The second intake of 30 students for the Explorer Cadetship Program in stud and stable management closes on Monday 8 July with the course commencing on Thursday 8 August.
The Thoroughbred Industry Careers designed and managed 12-month course commencing with a three-month practical and theoretical sector at the Australian Racing and Equine Academy at Richmond NSW, with the students residing at the Richmond Western Sydney University campus.
Known as ‘Explorers,’ students are later allocated to a leading trainer for 4½ months of paid work experience in a racing stable, followed by another 4½ months on a leading stud farm. Then Explorers are mentored and guided in an area which interests them up to graduation.
At ‘boot camp’ Explorers will handle thoroughbreds in stables and at trackwork, ride thoroughbreds, the health and safety of self and others, industry career opportunities, ethics and rules of racing, stud operations and quarantine procedures, pedigrees and conformation, plus more.
Through Industry Days the Explorers will attend race meetings, yearling sales, morning track work and stud farms, along with hearing from leading trainers, jockeys, bloodstock agents, media and administrators about their careers in the industry.
Explorers will develop the valuable Life Skills including work ethic, punctuality and reliability, personal presentation and language, manners, personal and self-respect, respect for others, personal conduct, greeting owners and clients, personal motivation, health and fitness including mental health, healthy eating habits, team work and resolving conflict.
Explorers will then be allocated to a leading trainer for 18-weeks of paid work-experience in a racing stable, gaining valuable hands-on experience and an insight into the racing industry.
This is followed by 18-weeks on a leading stud farm learning the care and management of mares, foals and stallions, plus learning the mating process and preparing yearlings for sale. Most leading racing stables are in city areas.
Upon Graduation the Explorers will be further guided and mentored into areas of personal preference including further study, traineeship or apprenticeship or full-time employment within a desired industry sector.
“This program gives young people to opportunity to learn and in this instance follow their dreams of working with horses which can result in a very pleasurable and rewarding job,” stated champion trainer Chris Waller in providing expertise and opportunities to the Explorers.
“Modern life seems to have separated the city from the county and this is a good way for people to experience the pleasure working with animals and the opportunities it brings.”
The first Explorer Cadetship Program began February this year and they have received instruction from the likes of Gai Waterhouse and Hugh Bowman in the initial three-month intensive learning block. Explorers are now completing the first of their two work placements.
20-year-old Katie Sharp from outside Newcastle said the Explorer Cadetship Program has been the best decision she’s ever made. “I’ve learned a wealth of knowledge and have been given the best building blocks to build a career in an industry I love.”
“I am beyond grateful to Thoroughbred Industry Careers for creating this program where I have made lifelong friends and gained knowledge that I will take with me throughout my whole life and career.
Under the banner of Thoroughbred Industry Careers the Explorer Program has seen “the growth and the development of cadets while learning from the best teachers at the Australian Racing and Equine Academy and experts in the industry has been phenomenal and they have a bright future ahead,” said Chief Executive Lindy Maurice.
“We’ve had many standout students in the first intake who are now on the radar of the best trainers and stud farms in Australia and when these students finish the course in another nine months there will be great opportunities waiting for them.
“There is no better pathway for young people considering a career in the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry than the Explorer Program and we can’t wait to welcome our next cohort of students.”