Racing Australia (working with the Principal Racing Authorities nationally), Godolphin Australia and Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC) have partnered to form a national Australian Thoroughbred Workforce Development Forum.
Much work is being done in this space globally. The Forum was originally established following the ‘2019 International Forum for Education’ hosted by Godolphin in Newmarket, UK. This Forum gathered thoroughbred breeding, racing, and education professionals from six countries and addressed challenges such as inclusion, attracting newcomers, education, workforce enrichment and community engagement, resulting in the formation of a global alliance and commitment to collaborate: www.togetherforracinginternational.com.
Racing Australia initiated and hosted an Australian-based Forum in late January 2020 with peak stakeholder representatives. Planning for the Forum commenced in late 2020, with it originally planned to occur in February 2021. The Forum will now take place on Thursday 22 April and Friday 23 April 2021.
The objective of the Australian Thoroughbred Workforce Development Forum is to create and deliver in-principle agreement on strategies to secure and develop the 75,000+ people needed to sustain our thoroughbred racing and breeding industry with a focus on “Obtain, Train and Retain”.
The strategies to Obtain, Train and Retain will be further developed as recommendations and documented outcomes of the Forum. Those outcomes are to be taken by Forum representatives to their peak organisations for review and consideration. Matters relevant directly to racing will be reviewed by the Racing Australia Board who will then in conjunction with the Principal Racing Authorities, and a national stakeholder working group determine what to proceed with and how to implement the Forum recommendations and outcomes.
On behalf of the industry, the Racing and Breeding Industry Reference Committee (RGR IRC) recently completed a review and update for the Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) to the RGR Racing and Breeding Training Package. The Forum provides amongst other objectives an opportunity to build upon the work of the IRC to address urgent and emerging industry skills issues.
The April 2021 forum will be delivered in a Covid-19 safe manner. The primary location of the forum will be Sydney.
Further information on the Forum and Invitations to participate will be distributed accordingly.
12 March 2021
For further information:
Myles Foreman, Chief Executive Officer, Racing Australia (02) 8072 1900
Now that I’m back in Australia and have had time to reflect on what I learned during my time at Lane’s End, I thought I’d share what I felt were the most important things I learnt whilst in the United States.
During the breeding season, the three biggest things that I felt I was able to further my education on were foalings, foal management, and reproductive problems. I was very fortunate that Lane’s End is very hands-on, which allowed me to quickly establish a very solid base on non-problematic foalings.
When it came to problem foalings, Lane’s End allowed me to learn what to do and how to do it in an emergency.
I became confident in turning foals into the correct presentation and how to handle red bags, lack of a suckle reflex, leg/ligament issues and even dealing with the occasional crazy mare. The other upside of working at a world-class farm is learning multiple ways of how to handle the same situation, creating an ability to have a plan A, B and C if need be.
The day-to-day management and education of foals was something that I was familiar with when I first arrived at Lane’s End. But the farm’s decision to have me work with foals with many trips to the foaling barn was a huge blessing. The amazing staff that work around the foals, particularly the newborn foals were never satisfied with me just watching and would rather have me do it instead of asking what they were doing and why. I found a new level of patience when dealing with educating foals, something which I was told everyone goes through in the beginning. Their early experiences with humans set up good habits and make a huge difference when they eventually get prepped for the sale.
When it came to dealing with reproductive issues in mares, I had a strong foundation in mare cycles, stallion covers and post-breeding procedures. Due to this, I was able to build on my education by watching a few of the best vets in the world successfully get problematic mares in foal. I learnt about cycling issues, fertility issues, what goes into the decision for surgery and just how beneficial reinforcing a cover can be.
Whether it was a maiden mare or an older mare, the various vets who work at Lane’s End made sure that if I wasn’t physically present to see the ultrasound, they would take a photo of it, or refer me to a page in a book I had purchased that several of them had co-authored.
When it came to moving onto the sales team, pedigrees and conformation were the two areas where I learnt the most.
Lane’s End is very lucky to have an amazing network of bloodstock agents but in particular David Ingordo, the inhouse bloodstock agent. He has been involved with the breeding and purchasing of thoroughbreds such as Zenyatta, Uncle Mo, Honor Code and Honor A.P and was an amazing asset to draw from due to his knowledge of both American and international bloodlines. From listening and learning from both David and management, I was able to learn about American stallions on a much deeper level than just from a page.
Given Lane’s Ends amazing reputation for producing classic distance horses, this created more interest for me pedigree-wise than ever before when it came to the American classic races.
Expanding my knowledge of the intricacies of conformation was also another area I was glad to focus on.
Learning about the criteria for corrective surgery in a yearling was a huge benefit, as I was able to understand what the vets and managers were seeing and be hands-on in the post-operative care on the yearling. Learning about the smaller conformation issues in a horse was also another feather I earned in my cap as it changed the way I looked and watched a horse move.
Furthermore, having the multiple bloodstock agents who were more than happy to make a horse walk again or stand again to show me conformational issues and ‘a typical conformation for this sire’ became very handy information during sales. Learning about pedigrees and conformation in an extensive way allowed me to occasionally adapt the way I parade a yearling to show them in the best light.
Overall, I feel that I have massively benefitted from my time in Lane’s End, in more ways than which I could ever write down. It was a crazy year in America, with COVID-19, but Lane’s End always made sure we were safe. Above everything else, they are a family company that treats every single employee as their own.
I would like to thank Lane’s End for an amazing 2020, a year that I will always look fondly back on, and my family for their unwavering support. I would also like to thank Lindy Maurice and the Explorer Cadetship program for giving me the foundation I needed in order to pursue this opportunity. I hope I made you all proud.
Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC) is proud to announce it will continue its partnership with Pony Club Australia as the named sponsors of their National Championships, to be held this September at the Benalla Equestrian Reserve in Victoria.
The event, which attracts the best young riders from right across the country, presents TIC with a prime opportunity to promote careers in the Thoroughbred industry and source potential trainees and future employees for the industry.
A new “Ride to Time” competition will be introduced to the event this year which will further strengthen the synergies between horse racing and equestrians.
TIC Chief Executive Lindy Maurice said that directly reaching the grassroots is an imperative step towards building a strong domestic workforce for the future.
“The results from the Explorer Program have been quite astonishing. We are sitting on a great reservoir of talent in Australia and TIC is taking up the reins to reach them and give them an opportunity to succeed.
“By sponsoring events like the Pony Club National Championships, we can plant the seed in young people’s minds that there is a career with horses in our industry waiting for them,” said Ms Maurice.
CEO of Pony Club Australia, Dr Catherine Ainsworth, said she was thrilled with the ongoing support of TIC as naming rights sponsor of its biggest event of the year.
“Our connection with TIC has been borne out in many ways over the past three years.
“We have seen many Pony Club members go through the TIC cadetship program. It is fantastic for our members to be able to turn their love of horses, and all of the horsemanship knowledge that they have gained during their years with us, into a career,” said Dr Ainsworth.
This year’s championships will run from September 26 until October 2 and include state selections for the disciplines of mounted games, tetrathlon, showjumping, dressage, eventing and horsemanship quiz.
“The 2021 PCA National Championships are really important this year after such a period of lockdown across Australia.
“Our members report that being able to ride and spend time with their horses has been a real benefit to them when other parts of life were missing,” she said.
On February 8, 22 students from all states of Australia including remote areas of the Northern Territory and Queensland, will enter the 2021 edition of the Explorer Cadetship program, and begin their journey towards securing their dream job in the thoroughbred industry.
The Explorer Cadetship is the only entry-level education program of its kind in the world, covering both the breeding and racing sectors to give people a holistic view of the industry. Over the last two years, 65 students have been through Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC) programs with an 89% retention rate in the industry.
Since its inception, leading racing stables and stud farms have benefited from it, with various students now amongst their highly valued full-time staff, and at a time when staff shortages are impacting the industry, this program is proving invaluable.
Champion trainer Chris Waller is a great advocate and said: “This program has raised my awareness as to how a well-run learning program can quickly influence an industry.
“I have been overwhelmed by the level of professionalism and dedication shown by the students of this cadetship. This is quite simply a very important step forward in the racing industry and will no doubt be followed by other industries with critical staff shortages,” he said.
One of the graduates the Explorer Cadetship Program now working in his dream job is Leigh Allen.
From a non-racing background, but a passionate racing person with a degree in communications, Leigh gained essential horsemanship skills that have since enabled him to secure a key role with Ciaron Maher Racing (CMR) in Victoria.
He regularly attends race meetings around the state and is the official spokesperson for the stable two days per week and is also responsible for putting together horse updates for clients.
“A great part about this program is that people wanting to work in the industry without a horse background aren’t excluded. I wasn’t lucky enough to grow up with horses, but after a year working hands on with them at Godolphin’s Northwood Park and in the stable for CMR, I now have a solid understanding of thoroughbreds and the industry, which is imperative for my role.
“Now I get to take videos of Enthaar and I have to pinch myself,” said Leigh.
The program focuses not only on horsemanship but also life skills and manners with Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse conducting some of these classes herself.
“Gai leaves an impact on everyone she meets, so for young people just starting out to spend time with her, it is an honour and a privilege”, remarked TIC CEO Lindy Maurice.
The program begins with a three-month practical and theoretical learning block in Richmond, NSW, whilst students live-in at Western Sydney University (Richmond Campus).
At the end of the three months, each student is assigned to a leading trainer where they spend 4.5 months on their first paid work experience in a racing stable, followed by 4.5 months on a leading stud farm.
Mentoring and guidance continue after graduation to help students find suitable opportunities in areas of particular interest to them.
TIC Chief Executive and founder Lindy Maurice is proud of what the program has been able to achieve to date and is thankful for the support from TIC’s sponsors which make this all possible.
For further information and interviews please contact:
Lindy Maurice on 0488 066 604 or lindy@tbindustrycareers.com.au
Attracting young people to the thoroughbred industry has long been a challenge and comments from Sydney trainers Chris Waller and Mark Newnham have again brought attention to the issue. Thoroughbred Industry Careers was established to help address this employment and education void, yet securing a sustainable funding strategy for the organisation remains a constant challenge.
Cover image courtesy of Thoroughbred Industry Careers
The low number of young Australians choosing racing and breeding as their career path of choice has become an even greater concern after the COVID-imposed travel limitations of 2020 limited access to international employees.
Chris Waller believes changes to stable working hours is paramount, with early starts and late finishes a major turn-off to the younger generation. He believes starting trackwork later in the morning is one move in the right direction.
“Who really wants their children to be starting work at 3 am, or having to drive to work or catch public transport at that time?’’ Waller said. “And who actually wants to do it? Only those who have ‘toughed’ it out and had to do it.
“But we are not going to get new people into the game unless they have a mad love for horses and racing, and that is getting few and far between.”
While Mark Newnham doesn’t believe early starts are the central issue, he thinks wider promotion of the industry to schools and pony clubs is a positive and necessary move.
Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC) is a national education and marketing initiative working feverishly in that area.
Funding a major issue
TIC was established in 2018 and is a not-for-profit industry organisation, which aims to promote careers by introducing grassroots programs, facilitating best practice education, training and mentoring pathways for those entering the industry and to assist in developing retention and welfare strategies to create fulfilling and rewarding long-term careers.
However, TIC Founder Lindy Maurice said attracting ongoing funding for their work to assist young people into racing and breeding careers was a major issue.
“I initially went to seven organisations for help with funding and they are Arrowfield Stud, Godolphin, Tony McEvoy, the Australian Turf Club, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Lindsay Park and Chris Waller.
“Those seven gave a three-year commitment which got us rolling, but we need a long-term and sustainable funding strategy to continue, then grow.”
Arrowfield Principal John Messara was one of the first foundation sponsors and is a major supporter and advocate of TIC.
“It’s never been more challenging than it is today to attract staff to work in the thoroughbred industry. I cannot stress enough how important, what Lindy Maurice is doing with Thoroughbred Industry Careers, is for the future of our industry,” Messara said.
“I cannot stress enough how important, what Lindy Maurice is doing with Thoroughbred Industry Careers, is for the future of our industry.” – John Messara
“We think it’s so vital that we reallocated the Arrowfield bloodstock sales levy funds over to Thoroughbred Industry Careers when we became a foundation member in 2018.
“The bloodstock sales levy was established 15 or so years ago because the industry had important international marketing goals to achieve, but today I believe the biggest threat to our future is attracting and training the next generation of employees.
“We need great people with the necessary horsemanship skills rearing, riding and handling our horses.”
Racing New South Wales and Racing South Australia have also assisted TIC along with Racing Victoria and Racing Queensland who have contributed to the cause for the last two years.
“I’m immensely grateful for these initial partners, but unfortunately it’s not a consistent revenue source. Every year I need to throw the hat around again to keep going,” Maurice said.
“We are a national organisation and need a national funding plan.”
Sponsorship packages announced
A positive funding step is the announcement of sponsorship packages at varying financial entry levels, to allow businesses and individuals to assist TIC to achieve its goals.
“People can take a Diamond, Gold, Silver and Bronze-level sponsorship package to donate funding toward TIC,” Maurice said.
“People can take a Diamond, Gold, Silver and Bronze-level sponsorship package for the greater good of the industry.” – Lindy Maurice
The Diamond Sponsorship is more than $25,000, Gold Sponsorship $20,000 (+ GST), Silver Sponsorship $10,000 (+ GST) and Bronze Sponsorship $5000 (+ GST).
Business logos or individual names will appear on the TIC website should contributors choose as acknowledgement for their generous support.
TDN AusNZ is proud to commit to an annual bronze sponsorship package and would like to encourage industry organisations to do the same.
“What Lindy has already achieved on very limited resources is exceptional,” said Vicky Leonard, TDN AusNZ co-owner and Managing Director.
“It would be wonderful to see the industry band together with financial support so Lindy can continue her great work and grow TIC further.
“Gary King and I were the lucky beneficiaries of an industry education courtesy of the Godolphin Flying Start program and are incredibly grateful for the career opportunities it opened for us. TIC is providing that open door for many young Australians, and most importantly, reaching those who may not have considered the thoroughbred industry as a career option otherwise.”
Reaching the grassroots
Maurice has established several promotional initiatives to reach young Australians who already have an equine passion, providing content and resources so they and their parents can understand career pathways available in the thoroughbred industry.
“We sponsored the National Pony Club National Championships in September this year and that attracts the best riders from all over Australia, so is a great source of top young horse people.
“It’s just one of the things we do throughout the year to showcase industry careers to the grassroots of Australia. It’s an example of what the sponsorship money and donations will be used for, to drive greater awareness of the careers available.
“The work TIC is doing is benefitting the whole industry. The money you’ll be chipping in is directly to help secure the industry’s future.” – Lindy Maurice
“When you are face-to-face with people at the grassroots level you start building trust and people start thinking ‘these people are out here helping our kids’. We have already put 70 trained people in the workplace, but we still have so much more work to do and need more funding to continue to reach young people.
“The work TIC is doing is benefitting the whole industry. The money you’ll be chipping in is directly to help secure the industry’s future.”
Pony racing program
Another project Maurice is keen to launch with the assistance of extra funding is pong racing in Australia.
“I see that as being great for the racing industry because we would have all these kids racing on country racetracks in all different areas.
“You look at every country town and everyone is at a cricket oval or at rugby or whatever and no-one is at the races because it’s an adult game, it’s a gambling game.
“But it is much more than that, it’s a sport where we race horses and why couldn’t kids on their ponies be racing on all of our racetracks across the country.
“We’re saying we’ve got no apprentice jockeys or trackriders and other staff and up until TIC we weren’t communicating with the world out there and had no links to kids riding horses.
“We have programs to convert people who are interested in trained staff. For the greater good, we’ve got a huge job to do and we need more support. We’ve made good headway, but we’ve only just scratched the surface.”
Global Alliance Launches to Connect the World with the Racehorse
Together for Racing International promotes education,
community engagement, workforce development
PRESS RELEASE, 20, Nov. 2020 – Together for Racing International (TfRI) – a global alliance to promote and progress education, community engagement, and career opportunities in the thoroughbred industry – has launched the website togetherforracinginternational.com.
TfRI resulted from a 2019 education forum hosted by Godolphin in Newmarket, UK. This event gathered thoroughbred breeding, racing, and education professionals from six countries who addressed challenges to inclusion, attracting newcomers, supporting education, and workforce enrichment. Forum attendees collaborated on a global vision and strategy to grow and sustain the thoroughbred industry. The outcome was Together for Racing International, which focuses on three pillars for development: education, community engagement, and workforce.
TfRI is a platform for connecting the world with the thoroughbred. The resources and inspirational content on the website will inform students, educators, parents, and industry members about available opportunities for learning and involvement. It also serves as a networking medium for countries to collaborate and support the progression of emerging programs.
TfRI is chaired by Chris Grant and developed through a network of global steering committee members from Australia, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, and the United States. Grant was Vice-Chair of London’s ground-breaking 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Legacy International Development Programme, International Inspiration, and has moderated several editions of the global Beyond Sport Forum.
TfRI global steering committee members represent the following educational and workforce organisations: AFASEC (FR); France-Galop (FR); Godolphin (Globally); Horse Racing Ireland (IRE); Irish National Stud (IRE); Kentucky Equine Talent Pipeline Project (USA); North American Racing Academy (USA); Racing Together (GB); The Racing Foundation (GB); and Thoroughbred Industry Careers (AUS).
Myles Foreman, CEO of Racing Australia shared the following statement:
“Racing Australia is working closely with the Principal Racing Authorities and industry via a national working group to support objectives of TfRI, and welcomes the launch of the TfRI website.”
TfRI Australian committee representative, Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC) CEO Lindy Maurice, said “This website attests to the positive impact that the racing industry is having on individuals and communities in Australia and in other major racing jurisdictions. TfRI reinforces we’re a part of a global industry and we are looking forward to seeing what this alliance can achieve together.”
For Australian media enquires please contact Lindy Maurice on 0488066604.
Additional support for Together for Racing International (TfRI):
Hugh Anderson, Godolphin Managing Director, UK and Dubai
“A year ago today, the international racing community united at the Godolphin Forum for Education in Newmarket and committed to ensuring that racing can offer greater opportunities to educators, young people and our communities.
“From there, Together for Racing International (TfRI) has now evolved and is an organisation Godolphin is proud to support.
“The TfRI website provides a comprehensive view of the fantastic initiatives already in place globally and is an enormous step towards achieving our aim of engaging with young people and encouraging them to work in our wonderful sport.”
John Gosden, World-Renowned Racehorse Trainer
“Horses and people have always had a symbiotic relationship from early civilisations. As participants in our sport and the breeding industry, it is our duty to continue to encourage and expand the human connection with the thoroughbred. We are stewards of the animal at its centre, and it is our mission, and truly a privilege, to support initiatives like TfRI, linking up internationally to promote horse racing and breeding – and the horse itself – to the world.”
Annise Montplaisir, TfRI Project Manager
“There is such a vast array of positive initiatives happening in the horse racing industry around the world. But awareness is key, and unless we publicise the amazing impact so many programs are having, they risk going unnoticed. A resource like TfRI has the ability to connect industry newcomers with learning experiences; inspire educators to try new curriculums, and encourage communities to look at how their local racetracks and breeding farms are giving back.”
Thankyou 7HorseRacing for covering the work we are doing to bridge that gap between those who love horses and careers in the breeding and racing industry.
If watching the Spring Carnival inspires you, you might be interested in one of two educational pathways: the Explorer Cadetship which is a 12-month horsemanship program in the breeding and racing industry, and the Accelerator Program which is an intensive trackriding program.
Thank you to our TIC’s stakeholders Arrowfield Stud, Chris Waller Racing, Gai Waterhouse, McEvoy Mitchell Racing, Lindsay Park Racing, Australian Turf Club, Godolphin, and those who are contributing directly to our educational pathways for 2021; Racing Victoria, Racing Queensland, The Races SA, Darwin Turf Club.
Hawkesbury Race Club go above and beyond for us every week allowing our riders to utilise their beautiful track and facilities. Thank you so much for all that you do for us and a big thank you also to our jockey mentors Kathy O’Hara and Darren Beadman for all the time and effort they have put into the Accelerator Program over the past few weeks…plus the behind the scenes team who pull all of this together
Today’s session was covered by Channel 7 Racing – we are so lucky to have so much industry support in training these wonderful horse lovers into trackriders. We will keep you in the loop as to when this coverage will air.
Big thank you to Champion jockey Rachel King for her recent mentoring session with our Accelerator’s. What an inspiring story, from jumps racing in England, to a two month trip to Australia which resulted in 12 months of riding track work for Gai Waterhouse Racing, followed by a jockey apprenticeship, and now she sits at the top of the Australian jockey ranks.
Like our previous mentors, Rachel is incredibly humble and is a horse person through and through, with the love of horses the common ground. She reflected on her 12 month’s riding trackwork as one of the periods in her life where she learnt the most. She also spoke to our riders about the importance of how to give vital feedback on how a racehorse feels to their trainer.
Rachel has had her fair share of knocks but is flying in Australia.Our trainee trackriders have been privileged to spend time with their mentors. Big thank you also to Caroline Searcy of Bred To Win and Thoroughbreds Are Go for sharing her career journey to the riders and for covering the work we are doing. Thank you also to the Hawkesbury Race Club for having us.
The Accelerators got to spend today with one of the greatest jockeys in Australia’s history, Darren Beadman.
Darren won 85 Group 1 races and was the youngest jockey ever to be inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Darren spoke about his love of horses as the number one thing that drove his career and success, and his background growing up in Canberra riding from a young age. Darren also spoke about leaving home at 15 to become an apprentice to Theo Green, who was a mentor and second father to him.
Like Sam and Tommy, Darren spoke about the challenges life throws at you and how to dig deep to overcome them. It was inspiring to hear such a legend and a childhood hero to some of these riders, talk so openly about life and his love of horses.