Rider Development Pathway introduced

• The Rider Development Pathway is designed to provide a clear and inclusive skills progression journey for riders and coaches in the sport, from entry-level through to advanced, skilled riders, including jockeys and seasoned rider coaches

• The British Racing School (BRS) has been awarded the contract for delivery of the Rider Development Pathway, with funding from the BHA, Racing Foundation and Horserace Betting Levy Board

• Rider Development Pathway is underpinned by a new Rider Competency Matrix which sets out the skills a rider should be able to show at each level of their career

• Similar pathways for other branches of the racing industry workforce are also in development

The Horseracing Industry People Board (HIPB), British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and British Racing School (BRS) have today announced the launch of British racing’s first “Rider Development Pathway”.
 
The Rider Development Pathway (RDP) connects a series of initiatives designed to support riders at all levels within British horse racing, from young people starting out their rider journey in pony racing, to those working in yards and others hoping to take out their jockey’s license. Its aims are to raise the standard of riding across the sport, with a significant focus on enhancing the quality of coaching and supporting the career progression of riders into the horseracing workforce, as well as creating a world class talent development pathway.

It brings together training, coaching and career support into one joined-up system, so riders develop the right skills at the right time, safely and consistently, with clear routes to progress.
 
Supported by industry stakeholders, the RDP brings together all the existing funding streams for rider and jockey development from the BHA, including ongoing investment from the HBLB and Racing Foundation. Its aims are to raise the skillset of riders across the sport, thereby improving the training of racehorses and ultimately helping to enhance British racing’s reputation and standing.
 
Following a competitive tender process run by the HIPB and BHA, we are pleased to announce that the British Racing School (BRS) has been awarded the contract for the delivery of the Rider Development Pathway.
 
Kicking off in early 2026, the Rider Development Pathway will initially focus on the delivery of rider coaching in yards, led by former Classic-winning jockey George Baker as Head of Coaching, whose team will work closely with racehorse trainers to identify staff within their teams to be coached against the industry Rider Competency Matrix.
 
The Rider Competency Matrix, which has also been developed by the HIPB and including consultation with skilled riders, former jockeys and employers, provides a framework which sets out the skills a rider should be able to show at each level of their career, from entry to advanced levels. This clearly demonstrates the skill progression riders would look to develop on their journey through the sport, and ensures consistent understanding for employers of skill requirements across all riding roles.
 
The Rider Development Pathway will also offer regional coaching workshops to maximise the accessibility of coaching to staff across the country and seek to develop coaching capability, qualifications and accreditation within training yards.
 
The Pathway will also extend to include coaching within pony racing, a key entry point for the sport, and will continue to encompass the Jockey Coaching Programme which currently supports 133 conditional and apprentice jockeys and has been run by the British Racing School since 2014.


The Horseracing Industry People Board was established as part of British horseracing’s ongoing Industry Strategy led by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and was established to oversee a more coordinated and long-term approach to our people – one that will help future-proof British racing by ensuring the industry is an attractive, fulfilling, safe and enjoyable place to work.
 
Former jockey Tom Scudamore, member of the Horseracing Industry People Board said:
 
“Having come through the system myself, I know how important clear guidance, consistent coaching and the right support are to a rider’s career. The Rider Development Pathway brings everything together into one clear, nationally recognised programme – improving the quality and consistency of coaching, supporting rider well-being and performance, and giving people at every stage a clearer route to progress and build a long-term career in the sport.
 
“By aligning investment and development across racing, it will grow our talent pool, give employers greater confidence in the skills of their riders, and strengthen British racing’s reputation for professionalism, welfare and opportunity.”
 
Dr Eleanor Boden, Education, Development, and Careers Programme Lead for the Horseracing Industry People Board, said:
 
“The Rider Development Pathway is a hugely important project which will help to enhance the quality of rider coaching across the industry and support the career progression of riders within the horseracing workforce.
 
“From coaching in yards to regional rider clinics and the embedding coaching capabilities across the sport, we are looking forward to working in partnership with the British Racing School and the wider industry to deliver this vital initiative.”
 
The British Racing School is recognised as one of the world’s leading providers of rider training and supports hundreds of young people into the sport each year through its Foundation Course, in addition to having run the Jockey Coaching Programme since 2014. It is also a highly sought after training centre for international racing nations such as Qatar, Turkey and Bahrain who each year send riders to be coached at the school.
 
Andrew Braithwaite, Chief Executive of the British Racing School said:
 
“We are delighted to have been entrusted with the delivery of the Rider Development Pathway. This is an exciting opportunity to build on our long-standing commitment to developing riders and to ensure the sport continues to support the talented riders it needs to thrive.
 
“Our aim is to enhance the quality, consistency, and accessibility of coaching provision across British horseracing through our highly skilled and credible rider coaches and provide targeted support services and career progression for riders – be that at entry level for young people engaged in pony racing, individuals already working in yards or apprentice and conditional jockeys starting out.”
 
Rob Sage, Head of Operations for the National Trainers Federation (NTF), said:
 
"The Rider Development Pathway is an important initiative offering trainers access to high quality coaching, delivered in their own yard, which is both accessible to their staff and convenient for a high-pressure working environment.
 
“It is also a crucial first step to ensuring that, as an industry, we are producing the number and quality of riders required for trainers businesses, and the sport as a whole, to thrive.”
 
Trainer James Owen said:
 
“The Rider Development Pathway is a really important step for the sport and having Rider Coaches come into the workplace and support staff will be really valuable, as will the work to help develop coaches in yards as well. We all know that better riders lead to better horses so anything that helps support this has got to be a positive.”
 
Following industry discussion it was agreed that the introduction of a career development pathway should focus first on riders, but in time should be extended to cover other segments of the racing industry workforce. Work is underway on these further pathways.