Tom Morrey
I have no family background in racing; in fact there isn’t anyone in my family who has any connections to horses. My ambition is to be a jump jockey. My inspiration is champion jockey A.P. McCoy.
I grew up just in Chester, just yards from the stables where Lisa Williamson trains a string of racehorses. I was fortunate enough to be allowed to visit one Saturday morning and I was hooked. A year later and I was working there every weekend.
Despite having very limited riding experience I was allowed to work with the horses from the ground. The experience was just incredible.
During my last year at Christleton High School I applied for a place on the Northern Racing College 12-week, residential Foundation Course.
I’ve now completed 10 weeks of the course and I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about joining a racing stable at the end of my course.
Ten weeks ago I couldn’t ride; today I am riding a variety of the College’s fifty thoroughbred racehorses on the gallops.
My day starts at 7am. Under the watchful eye of an instructor I feed the horses along with the other students on my course. Mucking out starts at 7.30am and is followed by tacking up. Equipped with a radio, through which I receive tuition, I am ready to ride.
Riding takes up a large part of every day, except Sunday when the horses have an easy day. As a student I work every other weekend, just as I will when I join a racing stable.
During the early part of the course I attended a number of lectures and received additional practical support in areas where I needed a little more help. Some of the students on my course had more experience with horses.
I most enjoy riding on the gallops and least enjoy mucking out, but appreciate it is an essential part of working with horses.
My attendance at School was good and I particularly enjoyed the practical lessons. I knew I never wanted to work indoors, so this lifestyle really suits me. I was surprised when I looked into the Northern Racing College and was told that they accept students with no academic qualifications and no previous horse experience.
I was accepted because I demonstrated the determination to succeed in the racing industry. My experience of working in Lisa Williamsons stable also proved I was keen.
I thought I was fit before I started the Foundation Course. I wasn’t. The nature of the Foundation Course means that your fitness levels do increase and on top of the daily physical work there is an evening programme, which includes fitness sessions. I realise now how important it is to be fit and how much easier the work is if you have a decent level of fitness.
Whilst I want to be a jump jockey, if I don’t reach this level I will be very happy working with the horses, exercising them and taking responsibility for them at the races. Racing is a huge industry, with any number of opportunities, including travelling the world. Experience tells me that through hard work you can achieve absolutely anything in this industry.
When I start at my racing stable I will be fortunate enough that I can still live at home with my family, but the other students on my course will all be provided with accommodation at the stables they are placed in. This is common in racing.
The pay in racing and the benefits outweigh the other equine disciplines. Initially I will be on a Grade D wage, which is above the national minimum wage. I’ll earn approximately £170.00 each week. As well as my wage I’ll also receive a percentage of the pool money earned by the horses in the stables. I may even find myself in a position to collect a best turned out award at the races if my horse is deemed the winner. Before this happens though I’ll have to practice my plaiting a little more.
I have now completed an NVQ Level 1 in Introductory Racehorse Care and have commenced an Apprenticeship, which includes an NVQ Level 2 in Racehorse Care. In racing your salary is determined by three things; the racing related qualifications you have achieved, your age and the length of continuous time you have worked in racing. When I achieve my Apprenticeship I’ll receive a pay increase.
I would advise anyone considering a career with racehorses to enrol onto the Foundation Course. It really does provide you with a solid foundation on which to build, and the College will find you employment. There really isn’t anything to lose, but an awful lot to gain.
