CAREERS

Racing Secretary

What is a Racing Secretary?

A Racing Secretary is a secretary, office manager and trainer’s personal assistant all rolled in to one!

As a Racing Secretary you’re the first point of contact for a racing yard. Working in the busy office your work is extremely varied as you’re responsible for all the administration needed to run the business side of the yard.

You will liaise with owners, racecourses and suppliers daily to ensure everything runs smoothly. One of your most important duties is to make certain the runners for the next day have been declared, and you’ll also be organising staff, handling the day to day bookkeeping, meeting owners and acting as a PA to the trainer.

What does it take?

To do their job effectively a Racing Secretary needs to be highly motivated, personable, patient and have excellent organisation and communication skills

It is an office job so previous experience in this field is preferable, and due to the nature of the sport you will be expected to work weekends and bank holidays.

Benefits

Racing Secretaries receive pool money and any other bonuses that are associated with the yard

Doing this role you also get the benefit of working with horses, and many racing secretaries like to combine work with pleasure, riding out one lot in the morning before heading into the office.

Name Grace Pugh

Originates from Warwickshire

Employer Marco Botti Racing

How did you get into racing?

I was interested in racing from a young age and started working at weekends for a local Point to Point trainer whilst at school. After leaving school I attended the Foundation course at the British Racing School.

What training have you done?

I completed an NVQ level 2 in Horse Racing Management during my time at the British Racing School. After working in racing for a few years I returned to education to obtain a degree from the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester. After graduating from university, I gained a place on the BHA Graduate Programme.

Do you have a career ambition?

I am extremely passionate about the use of social media and marketing within the equine industry. I aspire to set up my own marketing company, tailored to small businesses within the equine industry, to help promote them on a larger scale.

Why do you enjoy your job?

I love the variety in my job – from liaising with owners to designing the website no two days are the same! I also enjoy the team spirit within the yard, everyone works extremely hard and there is nothing more rewarding than having a big race winner.

Courses

Stable Staff Courses

Racing Secretaries Course

Three Days £250

Experience Level:

Beginner

This course has been created for secretaries new to racing and anyone considering working in this role. It provides knowledge of the role of a racing secretary.

Course Dates

A course at The British Racing School
  • 16/02/2021 - 18/02/2021
  • 25/05/2021 - 27/05/2021
  • 17/08/2021 - 19/08/2021
  • 12/10/2021 - 14/10/2021

Administration Courses

BHA HEALTH AND SAFETY SEMINAR

One Day £TBC

Experience Level:

Beginner

This is a full day course held at different racing centres around the country. This seminar run by the British Racing School explains the contents of the Industry Health and Safety Manual.

Course Dates

A course at The British Racing School