North America
South America
Europe
Asia
Australia/New Zealand
Los Angeles, California
Most of the major thoroughbred activity in California is located in this region. Santa Anita Park and Del Mar are about two hours from each other with San Luis Rey Training Centre located between them. Many of the stud farms in California are located within a few hours of Los Angeles with operations such as Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and Harris Farms to the north and Golden Eagle Farm and E.A. Ranch to the south.
Career opportunities: working a Fasig-Tipton 2-year-old sale at Santa Anita in June or a yearling sale in September, completing a stud or yearling prep season at one of the farms, working at the racecourse, or working for a trainer at one of the tracks or training centres in the region.
Ontario, Canada
The birthplace of the breed shaping Northern Dancer, Ontario is home of Woodbine Racecourse, Fort Erie Racetrack, and many of the stud farms in Canada. All three Canadian Triple Crown races are held in the province with every Group 1 in the country held at Woodbine. Some famous studs in the province include Adena Springs North, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms, and Sam-Son Farm.
Career opportunities: working a Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society yearling sale in August, completing a stud or yearling prep season at one of the farms in the region, working at the racecourse, or working for a trainer.
Lexington, Kentucky
Often called the Horse Capitol of the World, Lexington is home to most of the major farms and sales in the United States. Keeneland Race Course is the local racecourse with Churchill Downs – home of the Kentucky Derby – just an hour away in Louisville. Famous stud farms in the region include Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, Gainesway Farm, Spendthrift Farm, the Kentucky division of Prince Khalid bin Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms, and Darley’s Jonabell Farm.
Career opportunities: working a yearling sale at Keeneland or Fasig-Tipton in the autumn, a breeding stock sale in November or January, working for a local trainer, completing a stud or yearling prep season at one of the local farms, or taking classes as a Kentucky Equine Management Intern or North American Racing Academy student.
Ocala, Florida
The breeding hub of the Thoroughbred industry in Florida, Ocala launched the stud career of the legendary Mr. Prospector with six Kentucky Derby winners also bred in Florida. Ocala is also the headquarters of Ocala Breeders Sales, a company whose sales take place throughout the year with their 2-year-old sales attracting some of the biggest buyers in the world. Major operations in the area include the Payton Training Centre, Ocala Stud, Pleasant Acres Stallions, Bridlewood Farm, and Live Oak Stud.
Career opportunities: working an OBS 2-year-old sale in the spring or a yearling sale in the autumn, completing a stud or yearling prep season at one of the local farms, working for a trainer at one of the local training centres, or helping break-in yearlings at one of the numerous farms in the area.
New York
While most of the racing in New York takes place in New York City at Belmont Park and Aqueduct, many of the major stud farms in the region are located within a few hours of Saratoga Springs. In addition to holding a month-long race meet each summer Saratoga Race Course also doubles as a training centre, opening in April and closing in autumn every year. Major farms in New York include Rockridge Stud, Sequel Stallions, and McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds.
Career opportunities: working a Fasig-Tipton yearling sale in August or a breeding stock sale in October in Saratoga, completing a stud or yearling prep season at one of the farms in the region, working at the racecourse, or working for a trainer.
Brazil
Brazil knows how to produce a good racing product with recent jockey stars Joao Moreira and Silvestre de Sousa and horses like five-time Group 1 Riboletta, four-time Group 1 winner Einstein, and Leroidesanimaux – sire of Arrowfield Stud stallion and Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom – born in the country. Brazil has two main tracks, Hipodromo da Gavea and Hipdromo de Cristal with both hosting Group 1 races throughout the season.
Career opportunities: completing a stud or yearling prep season at a stud farm, working at the racecourse, or working for a trainer.
Argentina
This is the home of most of the major racing in Argentina with the country’s three main tracks – San Isidro, Palermo, and La Plata – located around the city. The country hosts both turf and dirt races with its most famous race being the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini going 2,400 metres on turf at San Isidro. Many Argentine stud farms are located about an hour and a half outside Buenos Aires in the Capitan Sarmiento and Cordoba Provinces.
Career opportunities: Completing a stud or yearling prep season at one of the farms in the region, working at the racecourse, or working for a trainer.
Chile
The capitol of Chile, this is also the location of two of the three major tracks in Chile in Club Hipico de Santiago and Hipodromo Chile. Santiago also has many breeding farms located within three hours of the city with the third major track in the country – Valparaiso Sporting Club – also located just an hour away. Some famous stud farms in this region of the country include Haras de Pirque, Haras Santa Monica, and Haras el Sheik.
Career opportunities: Completing a stud or yearling prep season at one of the farms in the region, working at a racecourse, or working for a trainer.
Ireland
- Tipperary
- Kildare
The home of three racecourses, Tipperary also has a long history as the home of some of the best horses and trainers in the world. The main racecourse in the area is Tipperary Racecourse, which hosts stakes races on both the flat and over jumps with Thurles and Clonmel also in the area. This is the home of Aidan O’Brien’s famous Ballydoyle Stables among many other trainers’ yards with Coolmore Stud’s home base also located in Tipperary in addition to over 50 other studs in the area.
Career opportunities: Completing a stud season at one of the local farms, preparing yearlings for sale, working at a racecourse, or working for a local trainer.
This is the home of racing in a proud thoroughbred nation. The main racecourse, the Curragh, hosts all classic races while Group 1s are also held in Dublin at Leopardstown. Famous stud farms in this region include Darley’s Kildangan Stud (home of the Godolphin Flying Start scholarship), the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud, and the Irish National Stud (home of the INS horsemanship course).
Career opportunities: Working a yearling sale at Goff’s in October or breeding stock sale in November, learning horsemanship at the Irish National Stud, taking a course at RACE, working for a local trainer, working at a racecourse, or completing a stud or yearling prep season at one of the local farms.
England
- Ascot
- Epsom
- Lambourn
- Cheltenham
- Newmarket
Ascot Racecourse hosts the world-famous Royal Ascot meeting, an important social meeting on the racing calendar. You can often catch members of the royal family – notably The Queen – at the Royal meeting and occasionally other races throughout the year. A variety of racehorse sales also take part close to the racecourse.
Career opportunities: Working in a variety of roles at one of the three racecourses in the area on race days or working a Tattersalls sale most months of the year.
The home of the Epsom Derby at Epsom Downs, Epsom has the third largest training centre in England. The training grounds is the home of 11 resident trainers, who open their doors to the public for a day each August. Set on the outskirts of London, The Downs’ is comprised of nearly 600 acres with 85 miles of grass- and all-weather tracks. In addition to the Derby, Epsom Downs Racecourse also hosts the Epsom Oaks with both generally thought to be two of the most important races in the northern hemisphere for 3-year-olds.
Career opportunities: Working for a local trainer, working in a variety of roles at the racecourse.
Having a higher ratio of horses to people than anywhere in England, Lambourne provides many opportunities for people in the equine industry. The first recorded race meeting in the area was held in 1727 by Willian Craven the 3rd. While there is currently no horse racing in Lambourn, it is the second largest training centre in England behind Newmarket with both flat racing and National Hunt horses housed in the area. Lambourne also includes The Oaksey House, a rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys. Famous stables in the area include Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows, Kingswood Stud, and Watership Down Stud.
Career opportunities: Working for a local trainer, completing a stud season at one of the local farms, or working with jockeys at The Oaksey House.
The home of steeplechasing in England, Cheltenham hosts one of the most famous national hunt meets in the world. The Cheltenham Festival, held each March, has five days of Grade 1 races and is the target for many of the top steeplechasing horses in Europe. In addition to its racecourse, Cheltenham is also home to some top trainers such as Jonjo O’Neill and Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Career opportunities: Working for a local trainer, working a horse sale taking a horse of racing age or breeding stock through the ring, or completing a season at one of a handful of studs in the area.
Newmarket is also the base of many of the world’s top trainers and has 2,500 acres of training grounds including the famous Warren Hill and is home of Tattersalls sales. In addition, both the country’s 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas races are run here each spring. Famous stud farms in the region include Darley’s Dalham Stud, Prince Khalid bin Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms, Cheveley Park Stud, and the National Stud (home of the Stud Practice and Management Course).
Career opportunities: Working sales throughout the year at Tattersalls, taking a course at the National Stud or the British Racing School, completing a stud season or prepping yearlings for sale at one of the local farms, working for a local trainer, or working at the racecourse.
France
- Deauville
- Saint Cloud
- Chantilly
Located in the very horsey Normandy region of France, Deauville and the surrounding area has a little bit of everything. La-Touques Racecourse and Clairefontaine are both located in the area with races such as the Group 1 Prix Rothschild and Prix Morny held at the track. France’s major sales company Arqana has offices in Deauville and hosts many sales at its Deauville complex. Famous stud farms in the area include Haras d’Etreham, the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval, and the Head family’s Haras du Quesnay.
Career opportunities: working a 2-year-old sale at Arqana in the spring or a yearling and breeding stock sale in the fall, preparing yearlings or completing a stud season at one of the local farms, working for a local trainer, or working at the racecourse.
Located in the suburbs of Paris, Saint Cloud is home to Saint Cloud Racecourse, Arqana, and neighbours the suburbs that houses France Galop and Longchamp Racecourse – home of the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe. A few important races held at Saint Cloud’s racecourse is the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and Critérium de Saint-Cloud.
Career opportunities: Working in a variety of roles at the racecourse in the area on race days, working for Arqana, or the Arc Sale on the eve of the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe.
One of the most scenic horse racing areas in the world, Chantilly is where most of France’s top racehorses are trained with up to 2,000 horses trained at the centre at any time. The area is also the home of Chantilly Recourse, where France’s Derby and Oaks are held. Famous trainers located here include Freddie Head, Jean-Claude Rouget, and Alain de Royer-Dupre.
Career opportunities: working for a local trainer, working in a variety of roles at the racecourse, or working at the training centre
Dubai, UAE
Every summer, Dubai attracts horsemen from around the world for its Winter Festival. Holding some of the richest races in the world, Dubai’s Meydan Racecourse is the home of the Dubai World Cup and other multi-million races in late March with the area also running Jebel Ali Racecourse throughout the year. Mostly a racing nation, though it is the home of Godolphin, many of its horses are imported from Europe and other areas of the world.
Career opportunities: working a horses in training sale in March or September, working for a local trainer, or working at Meydan during its Winter Festival.
Hokkaido, Japan
This is the headquarters of breeding in Japan with many of the biggest farms located on the island. Hokkaido has two racecourses – Sapporo and Hakodate – though the main focus of the area is breeding and bloodstock sales at the Northern Horse Park. Famous stud farms in the region include Northern Farm, Shadai Stallion Station, and the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders’ Association.
Career opportunities: Career opportunities: working the JRHA Select foal and yearling sales in August, working for a local trainer, or completing a stud season at one of the local farms.
Honshu, Japan
The headquarters of racing in Japan, the island of Honshu has most Japan’s racecourses and training centres. The big four race courses in Japan are all located in and to the south of Tokyo. All horses who run in the Japan Racing Association must be trained at one of two training centres in Japan with Miho to the north of the city and Ritto on the west side of the island. Honshu also houses the NAR Racing Education Centre and JRA Horseracing School – schools that must be attended before getting a jockey or stable employees license to work at tracks in the country.
Career opportunities: working for a local trainer, taking a course at one of the two horse racing schools on the island, working in a variety of positions at one of the racecourses.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is home to two racecourses – Happy Valley and Sha Tin – with a recently opened training centre approximately 200 kilometres from Hong Kong also housing horses that race at the track. With no breeding industry in Hong Kong, many horses are imported from Australia and New Zealand in addition to Europe. In addition to racing nearly year-round each year, the Hong Kong Jockey Club hosts the Hong Kong International Sale in June. Each December, Sha Tin plays part to an international jockey challenge and the Hong Kong International Races, attracting racing personalities and horses from around the world.
Career opportunities: working for a local trainer or taking part in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Graduate Trainee Program.
Singapore
This is the home of the Singapore Turf Course, the only authorized operator of horse racing in Singapore. There is no breeding industry in Singapore with most of its horses coming from Australia and New Zealand. The majority of racing in Singapore is restricted to locally trained horses with two races – the Singapore International Cup and the International Sprint – open to international horses and a handful of cross-border races open to Malaysian horses.
Career opportunities: Working for a local trainer or taking courses at the Singapore Training Academy for Racing (open to Singapore citizens and residents only).
Melbourne
Many of the state’s studs and trainers are based within a few hours of Melbourne including major stud farms Rosemont Stud, Woodside Park Stud, Spendthrift Farm and Sun Stud.
Career opportunities: Working for a local trainer, working a yearling sale at Inglis’ Oaklands Complex in February, or working in a variety of roles at the racecourse or a local stud farm, or taking a course at TAFE.
Sydney
The home of major racing in New South Wales, Sydney has three major racetracks – Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gardens, and Warwick Farm. Each March, the most famous 2-year-old race in the world – the Golden Slipper – takes place at Rosehill Gardens while Randwick hosts the richest turf race in the world with The Everest. Many of the famous trainers in Australia make this their home base with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Chris Waller, and Peter and Paul Snowden all making the city their home base.
Career opportunities: Working for a local trainer, working a yearling sale at Inglis’ Riverside Complex in February or April, a breeding stock sale in May or a 2-year-old sale in October, working in a variety of roles at the racecourse, or taking a course at TAFE.
Hunter Valley
Located in New South Wales, the Hunter Valley is where many of Australia’s best stallions and broodmares call home. Racing in the area is hosted at Muswellbrook and Scone Racecourses but the main focus here is raising racehorses. Famous stud farms in the area include Arrowfield Stud, Darley’s Kelvinside Stud, Coolmore Australia, Newgate Farm, and Sledmere Stud.
Career opportunities: Working a yearling and breeding stock sale at Inglis in May, taking a course at TAFE in Scone, working for a local trainer, working at a racecourse, or completing a stud or yearling prep season at one of the local farms.
Gold Coast
Every January and June, the horse industry converges on the Gold Coast for the annual Magic Millions yearlings and breeding stock sales but the area’s racing industry is just as active the rest of the year. Gold Coast Turf Club and Doomben are the two major tracks in the area with Gold Coast holding the popular Magic Millions race day during the sale’s yearling catalogue and horses descending on Doomben during the Winter Racing Carnival for the G1 Queensland Oaks and G1 Kingsford Smith Cup. Major stud farms such as Aquis, Eureka Stud, and Lyndhurst Stud Farm are all within a few hours of this area as well.
Career opportunities: Working a yearling sale at Magic Millions in January or March or breeding stock sale in June, taking an equine course through Racing Queensland, working for a local trainer, working at a racecourse, or completing a stud or yearling prep season.
Newzeeland
- Auckland
- Waikato
The home of New Zealand’s premier auction house New Zealand Bloodstock, Auckland also has multiple racetracks led by Ellerslie – where the New Zealand Derby is held. The Auckland area is also home to many famous New Zealand stud farms such as Westbury Stud and Haunui Farm.
Career opportunities: Working a yearling sale at New Zealand Bloodstock in January or a 2-year-old sale in November, learning horsemanship at the Auckland District Apprentice School, working for a local trainer as a groom and rider, or completing a stud or yearling prep season at one of the local farms.
Just a few hours south of Auckland is another important racing hub in Waikato with Te Rapa Racing Club being the most important track in the area. This is also the home of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association with major stud farms such as Waikato Stud, Cambridge Stud, and The Oaks Stud located in this area.
Career opportunities: Working for a local trainer or completing a stud or yearling prep season at one of the local farms.
