RACING TO SCHOOL DAY SPARKS LIGHTBULB MOMENT FOR PHOEBE

For many young people arriving at a racecourse at 9.30am for a Racing to School day, there are very few preconceptions about what to expect. A small handful may have an idea about the sport of horseracing and a minority may even have been to their local racecourse before, but for most, their Racing to School experience offers them their first insight into this unique and exciting industry.

For Phoebe Seffelaar, little did she know when she arrived at Fakenham Racecourse in February 2020 with her fellow college classmates, that she would be so inspired by what was to follow, that by the next year she would be working within the industry.

Our Riders’ Programme aims to give a diverse range of young equine college students information and insight about pathways into employment within the industry. With colleges more informed about horseracing and able to actively support their students, it is hoped that the perception of the sport as a credible and worthwhile career option for young people will grow.

Phoebe was a student at Easton and Otley College (now Easton College) during the 2019/20 academic year, enrolled on a one-year Equine Health Management course. In February 2020, she visited Fakenham Racecourse to attend one of Racing to School’s Equine College Careers Raceday events within our Riders’ Programme. Now, she is in employment with O’Brien McPherson Racing and enjoying life in Gloucestershire.

Racing to School’s Programme Manager Ollie McPhail caught up with Phoebe at Graeme McPherson’s Martins Hill training yard to find out more about her journey from Racing to School graduate to life as a racing groom.

Had you considered a career in the racing industry before your Racing to School day?

Not at all. At that time, I was planning to stay on at college for a further two years so hadn’t really started thinking about a career, I just knew I wanted to work with horses. Working in racing had not crossed my mind as a future career path.

What did you know of the racing industry before your day at Fakenham?

Very little really, I had been to a couple of Point-to-Point fixtures and enjoyed watching it on TV but had never actually been to a proper racecourse before.

Tell us about your day at Fakenham

I found it really interesting to learn about how the sport worked. We watched some of the horses arrive and be scanned through into the stables, went into the Weighing Room and had a course walk. The Racing to School team explained how it all worked and I found watching the races really exciting.

What happened after that?

The next day at college I spoke to my Instructor and told her I would really like to work in racing and she encouraged me to go for it. I had learned about the British Racing School at Fakenham so applied to them later that day! After going through the application process, I was accepted onto a course later in the year.

What was it like at the British Racing School (BRS)?

Really hard! When I started our course the first lockdown had begun so it was tough being away from home and not be able to leave the school at all. I had a great time there, though, and made lots of friends I am still in touch with now and it taught me so much.

How easy was it to get a job once you’d left the BRS?

Being in lockdown, I was told it was harder to get placements than usual, and I had always imagined myself going to Newmarket. When the team told me about the opportunity at Graeme McPherson’s yard, I was a bit nervous about it being so far from home but was happy to go for it.

What is your favourite part of your current role at the yard?

Definitely taking the horses I look after to the races and knowing I have had a role in preparing them and caring for them.

Do you have any advice for other equine college students who might not have considered racing as a career?

It is a hard job and doesn’t suit everyone and you have to be really fit but I would say go for it, it is the best decision I have made.

If you would like to find out more about Racing to School’s Riders’ Programme and the range of careers within the horseracing industry, head to our website.