Association de Formation et d’Action Sociale des Écuries de Courses

What Association de Formation et d’Action Sociale des Écuries de Courses does

AFASEC is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 1988 that operates as the integrated training, recruitment, and social support body for the French horse racing industry. Its core function is delivering vocational education from CAPA through BTS levels across five residential campuses (Cabriès, Mont-de-Marsan, Graignes, Gouvieux, Boissy-Saint-Léger) co-located with the country's principal training centers, supplemented by 28 partner MFR/CFA institutions. The portfolio reaches ~1,073 apprentices annually, with an 82% exam pass rate and 84% employment within six months of graduation.

The business operates through four interlocking divisions: AFASEC Académie (training across youth and adult tracks), AFASEC Recrutement (job placement including international hiring via TFRI membership), AFASEC Conseil (HR consulting and career support), and AFASEC Services (housing — 400 proprietary units plus 600 at preferential rates — health benefits, childcare aid). The technical platform includes proprietary mounting simulators deployed across all campuses, the Espoirs en Course network for young jockeys, and the newly launched 2026 Coaching Jockey Program with champion Thierry Jarnet. Infrastructure is anchored by exclusive institutional alignment with France Galop and co-organized partnerships with Godolphin, Racing Welfare, and international horse racing networks (EARS, ETSA).

Revenue mechanics rely on a mix of apprenticeship tax (taxe d'apprentissage), Qualiopi-eligible public funding, employer fees for training and recruitment services, housing-related income, and partner contributions. End customers are horse racing employers (trainers, breeders, racing companies) and individual trainees — many of whom progress through the full lifecycle from middle-school apprentice to licensed jockey to trainer. The organization's 2023-2027 strategic plan explicitly targets talent attraction, retention, and development as the foundation for sector growth against a backdrop of structural labor shortages (only 32.8% of France's 2,309 trainers employ paid staff).

Name

Association de Formation et d’Action Sociale des Écuries de Courses

Legal name

Association de Formation et d'Action Sociale des Écuries de Courses

Website

https://afasec.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

AFASEC is a French non-profit that trains, recruits, and provides social support for the French horse racing industry through 5 residential academies, 28 partner institutions, and housing services for 1,000+ industry workers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Workforce Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Horses and Other Equine Production (112920)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Care & Stable Management (EDAOAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Racehorse Training & Conditioning Operations (AFAEAGAE), Training, Stables & Equine Services (MPAEADAI)

Keywords

• Vocational training
• Horse racing education
• Jockey training
• Industry recruitment
• Social support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chantilly

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Training and Education Services: Vocational training programs from CAPA to BTS levels for horse racing professions including jockeys, training riders, stable managers, and breeding specialists. Programs delivered through 5 AFASEC academies and 28 partner MFR/CFA institutions.
2. Recruitment Services: Job matching and HR support for horse racing employers including CDI, CDD, and interim placements. International recruitment services through TFRI membership.
3. Social Support Services: Social services for racing industry employees including health benefits, childcare assistance, housing support, and career counseling through AFASEC Services and AFASEC Conseil.
4. Short Training Programs: Professional certification courses such as veterinary care certificates priced at 450€ with funding options through VIVEA and OCAPIAT.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AFASEC delivers vocational training programs from secondary education (4ème/3ème) through higher education (BTS ACS'AGRI) for horse racing professions across 5 residential academies in France. The organization also provides recruitment services, HR consulting, employee benefits including housing (1,000+ units), and social support to the French horse racing ecosystem through its AFASEC Académie, Recrutement, Conseil, and Services divisions.

Product overview

AFASEC is a unified platform combining vocational training (AFASEC Académie), recruitment services (AFASEC Recrutement), professional consulting (AFASEC Conseil), and employee benefits (AFASEC Services). The core offering is the Académie which delivers diplomas from secondary through higher education (CAPA, Bac Pro CGEH, BTS) across 5 campuses with residential facilities, supplemented by adult continuing education, a dedicated jockey coaching program, riding simulators, and specialized certifications. The recruitment and services divisions provide ongoing support for industry workers throughout their careers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AFASEC Académie Vocational and professional education programs for the horse racing industry delivered across 5 campuses with residential facilities (Cabriès, Mont-de-Marsan, Graignes, Gouvieux, Boissy-Saint-Léger). Programs span secondary education (4ème/3ème, high school), professional certifications (CAPA Lad Cavalier d'Entraînement, Bac Pro CGEH), and BTS ACS'AGRI higher education.
• AFASEC Académie Adultes Continuing education and professional development division for existing industry workers, including diploma programs, skills acquisition courses, jockey/entraîneur certification pathways, and career conversion programs for adults.
• AFASEC Recrutement Recruitment service connecting horse racing employers (trainers, breeders, racing professionals) with job seekers. Offers CDI, CDD, and temporary staffing solutions, plus international recruitment support through TFRI membership.
• AFASEC Conseil Consulting and support services for employers and employees including HR advice, career development, professional reconversion, risk prevention, and mental health accompaniment for the racing industry.
• AFASEC Services Employee benefits package for racing industry workers including housing assistance (1,000+ dwellings with 400 in proprietary residences), health and provident insurance, childcare aid, and financial allocations.
• Programme de Coaching Jockey Intensive 6-month coaching program for young professional jockeys with active licenses led by Thierry Jarnet, including weekly individual sessions, bi-monthly group video conferences, on-site track days, race participation, and training in technique, mental preparation, media, nutrition, and financial management.
• Certificat de Compétences - Soins Vétérinaires 14-hour professional certification program for veterinary care practices on equines. Covers prescription understanding, oral/local/parenteral product administration, and bandaging. Delivered by veterinarians with 98% satisfaction rate; priced at €450 with funding through VIVEA and OCAPIAT/Boost'Compétences.
• Espoirs en Courses Youth racing development network for aspiring jockeys allowing young trainees to compete in races on weekends and gain real competition experience alongside their formal training, with Saturday sessions on grass tracks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% professional exam pass rate in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• France GalopcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Official RH partner for the Trophées du Personnel des Courses et de l'Élevage. France Galop is the governing body for flat and obstacle racing in France, making this partnership central to AFASEC's industry integration.
• GodolphincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Co-organizer of Trophées du Personnel des Courses et de l'Élevage. International thoroughbred racing operation providing sponsorship and visibility for industry talent recognition.
• UNREPcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 5 UNREP-affiliated partner schools extending AFASEC training programs across France through specialized equestrian education institutions.
• Espoirs en CoursecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFASEC-founded network for future jockeys allowing young riders to practice racing on Saturdays, with training on grass tracks during weekends and regular sessions during the week.
• EARS (Equestrian and Racing Schools)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational training network co-founded by AFASEC for developing horse racing education globally.
• ETSA (European Apprentice Racing Network)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational apprentice racing network co-founded by AFASEC connecting young racing professionals across Europe.
• TFRI (Together For Racing International)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational recruitment network for racing professionals. AFASEC is a member providing cross-border hiring support for French employers.
• Racing WelfaremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based racing welfare organization. AFASEC partners with Racing Welfare for international best practices in employee support and wellbeing programs.
• Institut du Droit EquinminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal institute specializing in equine law. AFASEC commissioned the institute to write a note on risks and issues regarding independent workers in racing.
• equi-ressourcesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialized equine sector employment platform used for posting job dating positions and matching employers with candidates in the racing industry.
• Association des Entraîneurs de GalopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of Gallop Trainers. Co-organizer of employment forum with AFASEC at Gouvieux for job dating and career orientation.
• EPONAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFASEC-associated enterprise focused on employment support and accessibility. EPONA offers workshops for people with disabilities interested in horse careers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• UNREP: French network of equestrian education schools affiliated with AFASEC through 5 partner institutions. Comparable as an organization delivering equestrian vocational training and a strategic distribution partner of AFASEC, providing a channel for AFASEC programs across France.
• France Galop: Governing body for flat and obstacle horse racing in France and AFASEC's principal strategic partner. Comparable as the industry regulator and organizer of racing operations, sharing deep integration with the same employer, trainer, and employee ecosystem that AFASEC serves.
• Maison Familiale Rurale (MFR): National network of French rural family schools offering vocational and alternance programs, including 28 institutions that partner with AFASEC to deliver racing-specific curricula. A broader vocational training network that serves as both AFASEC's distribution channel and a comparable vocational education operator in adjacent agricultural sectors.

Direct peers

• Racing Welfare: UK charity providing welfare, education, and career support services to the British horseracing community. Directly comparable to AFASEC's integrated service model (training, social support, housing, HR consulting) and is already a strategic partner of AFASEC. Similar mission, scope, and beneficiary base.
• EquuRES: French equine industry workplace wellbeing certification body that awarded its label to AFASEC. Directly comparable as a sector-specific organization serving the French equestrian industry with standards/certification functions, and operates within the same regulatory ecosystem.
• Irish National Stud & Kildare Equine Training Centre: Irish state-owned equine training, breeding, and education center offering vocational courses in horse racing, stud management, and stable operations. Comparable to AFASEC as a government-affiliated provider of vocational equine education with residential training facilities.
• The British Racing School: UK-based vocational training provider for the British horse racing industry, offering apprenticeships and pre-training courses. Directly comparable to AFASEC in mission (training jockeys, stable staff, and racing professionals), structure (residential campus with practical and classroom instruction), and end markets (racing employers and regulators).

Regional players

• École Nationale d'Équitation (Cadre Noir): Prestigious French national equestrian school located at Saumur, providing advanced equitation and horse training education. Comparable as a French state-affiliated equine training institution with residential facilities, though focused on classical riding disciplines rather than racing specifically.
• Haras du Pin (École des Courses): Historic French national stud farm offering equestrian training including horse racing courses. Operates within the same French regulatory environment as AFASEC but with a broader equestrian (rather than racing-specific) focus, making it a partial regional competitor in equine vocational education.

Emerging players

• National Horseracing Academy of Southern Africa: South African racing industry training organization providing jockey and stable staff education. Similar mission and training model but smaller scale and serving a regional market; comparable as another national-level vocational training institution within the international racing talent ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/afasec_officiel
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/EcoleAFASEC
• Facebookfacebook.com/AFASEC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afasec
• Instagraminstagram.com/afasec_officiel
• TikToktiktok.com/@ecoleafasec

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association de Formation et d’Action Sociale des Écuries de Courses