June 13, 2019

Seventeen new racing industry trainees enjoyed a day at Royal Randwick as guests of the Australian Turf Club on Saturday June 8 as part of the Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Fast Track program.

Launched last year in response to staffing shortages in the breeding sector, the Fast Track training program aims to bring new people into the thoroughbred breeding industry and provide foundation skills and knowledge to build careers.

The 12-month course incorporates a mix of on-the-job training and formal learning. Successful applicants undertake a traineeship on a respected stud farm while studying for a Certificate III in Horse Breeding – a nationally recognised entry level qualification.

For many of the group, it was their first proper outing to the races and the day provided an introduction to racing, as well as highlighting the integral role stud workers play in helping raise the future stars of the track.

The group enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour with Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager of Racing Services James Heddo and heard from two of the industry’s rising young stars, trainer Kurt Goldman, and Racing Manager for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Emma Pearce.