The British Racing School

What The British Racing School does

The British Racing School (BRS) is a registered charity (BRS Education Ltd, Charity No. 1161555) founded in 1983 and headquartered on a 120-acre purpose-built training site on the outskirts of Newmarket, Suffolk — the historic headquarters of British horse racing. BRS provides vocational training, education, and community programmes for the horseracing industry, serving aspiring jockeys, stable staff, trainers, pony racing participants, and community youth. Its core product portfolio spans the Foundation Course (18-week residential), Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeships in Equine Groom, the Horseracing Gap Year programme, pony racing programmes, the BSc (Hons) Horseracing Industry Degree with Hartpury University, jockey licence and amateur rider permit courses, trainers' modules, and management courses. Sub-brands include the Riding A Dream Academy, Newmarket Pony Academy, and Stable Start, alongside the forthcoming Rider Development Pathway (Spring 2026).

The facility combines physical infrastructure — a 7-furlong Martin Collins Activ-Track all-weather gallop, grass gallops, indoor school, outdoor arena, purpose-built collecting ring, and conference facilities — with specialized training technology: the MK9 Racewood fully immersive interactive racing simulator (first in the world installed at any training provider), three MK1 Racewood simulators, Dartfish video analysis software, Equicisors, and radio instruction systems. BRS derives income from three roughly equal streams: charitable donations (approximately one-third), UK Department of Education apprenticeship funding (one-third), and the racing industry via The Levy Board (one-third), supplemented by course fees (e.g., Foundation Course £950, TRIC £1,600, degree £8,750/year), international rider programmes, and conference venue hire. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Julia Budd, with Her Majesty Queen Camilla as Patron and Andrew Braithwaite as Chief Executive. BRS distributes services through direct online application, open days, school and youth charity partnerships, and a dedicated conference website (brsconferences.com), with a community-led GTM that builds pipeline from pony racing (ages 8+) through professional qualifications.

Name

The British Racing School

Legal name

BRS Education Ltd

Website

https://brs.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The British Racing School is a registered charity founded in 1983 operating a 120-acre purpose-built training centre in Newmarket, UK, delivering vocational training, apprenticeships, and degree programmes for the British horseracing industry alongside community academies for youth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine Vocational Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Care & Stable Management (EDAOAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Racehorse Training & Conditioning Operations (AFAEAGAE), Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs (AFAEAGAF), Training, Stables & Equine Services (MPAEADAI)

Keywords

• Horseracing training
• Equine vocational education
• Jockey licensing courses
• Equine apprenticeships
• Racehorse trainer qualifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Newmarket

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Apprenticeships): BRS receives significant government funding from the UK Department of Education for apprenticeship programmes. Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships are free to eligible learners. Income is derived in part from the UK government for the Foundation Course and apprenticeship delivery.
2. Course Fee Income: BRS charges tuition/contribution fees for residential courses (Foundation Course £950, Gap Year £950, TRIC £1,600, Pony Racing camps £680-£900, short courses £50-£350, degree £8,750 per annum). Some courses are free to those meeting eligibility criteria. Overseas students pay their own fees.
3. Charitable Donations: As a registered charity (No. 1161555), BRS derives approximately one-third of its income from charitable donations, trusts, and foundations including The Levy Board, Racing Foundation, and individual sponsors.
4. Conference & Events Venue Hire: BRS rents out its conference facilities for corporate events, meetings, and functions. Facilities include the Moller Lecture Theatre (up to 80 delegates), Niarchos Room, Godolphin Room, Japan Racing Association and Hong Kong rooms. Packages start from £33 per delegate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The British Racing School delivers residential and vocational training programmes for the British horseracing industry from its purpose-built 120-acre Newmarket campus, including the 18-week Foundation Course, Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships, jockey licensing, trainer licence modules, and a BSc (Hons) Horseracing Industry degree. It also runs outreach academies (Riding A Dream, Newmarket Pony Academy) for younger and diverse communities, and rents out its conference and events facilities to external organisations.

Product overview

The British Racing School (BRS) is a purpose-built training centre on the outskirts of Newmarket offering world-class training and education for the horseracing industry. The organisation provides a comprehensive portfolio of training programmes including Foundation Courses, Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeships in Equine Groom, the Horseracing Gap Year programme, Pony Racing programmes (Training Days, Academy, Camps), the Horseracing Industry Degree BSc (Hons), specialized short courses (Clipping, Horse Handling, Bandaging, Mane Pulling, Transport Qualification), jockey training programmes (Category A/B Amateur Rider Permits, Jockey Licence, Transition to Racing), management courses (Staff Management, Assistant Trainers, Trainers Modules), and professional development courses (TRIC, Racing Secretaries). BRS also operates specialized academies including the Riding A Dream Academy (established 2021 for diverse communities), Newmarket Pony Academy (established 2021), and the Rider Development Pathway (launching 2026). Training facilities include state-of-the-art technology such as MK9 and MK1 Racewood Simulators and Dartfish Analysis Software. Additional services include conference and events facilities, Stable Start accommodation matching, and international riders training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Newmarket Pony Academy: A community initiative providing young people in Newmarket with affordable access to horse riding and care, combining equine activities with educational and personal development.
• The Riding A Dream Academy
• Stable Start

Products and services

• Foundation Course 18-week residential apprenticeship programme for 16-24 year olds that serves as the first step towards working in horseracing, teaching riding, horse handling, stablework skills, and preparing students for work in racing yards. Government-funded for eligible UK residents, with a £950 contribution for tuition, accommodation, and meals.
• Level 2 Apprenticeship Equine Groom (Racing)
• Level 3 Apprenticeship Senior Equine Groom (Racing)
• Horseracing Gap Year
• Pony Racing Training Days (Level 1, 2, 3)
• Pony Racing Academy
• Pony Racing Camps
• Regional Staff Development Programme
• Horseracing Industry Degree BSc (Hons)
• Staff Management Course
• The Racing Industry Course (TRIC)
• Category A Amateur Rider Permit
• Category B Amateur Rider Permit
• Transition to Racing
• British Horseracing Development Programme
• Transport Qualification
• Racing Secretaries Course
• Trainers Module 1 - Racehorse Management
• Trainers Module 2 - Business Management
• Trainers Module 3 - Staff Management
• Assistant Trainers Course
• Riding A Dream Academy
• Newmarket Pony Academy
• Rider Development Pathway
• Stable Start
• Conference and Events Facilities
• International Riders Training

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of young people from diverse ethnic communities supported since 2021 through the Riding A Dream Academy
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Markel Magnolia Cup / Goodwood RacecoursecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026BRS provides intensive fitness training and rider coaching to the Markel Magnolia Cup's all-female jockey team ahead of the Qatar Glorious Goodwood festival. Jockey Coach George Baker provides on-course coaching on race day. The 2026 race supports the Education Above All Foundation.
• Hartpury UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Academic partner delivering the Horseracing Industry BSc (Hons) degree alongside BRS. Hartpury provides weekend teaching sessions, access to its campus with £50 million investment in facilities, libraries, laboratories, and classrooms. BRS provides week-long intensive modules.
• West Suffolk CouncilminorOthers · 1 January 2021Local government partner supporting the Newmarket Pony Academy community initiative through council funding and resources.
• The Jockey Club EstatescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner supporting the Newmarket Pony Academy. The Jockey Club Estates manages Newmarket's equestrian infrastructure and provides strategic alignment with the horse racing industry.
• RossdalesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Newmarket-based equine veterinary practice supporting the Newmarket Pony Academy with veterinary expertise and programme support.
• Newmarket Equine HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Local equine hospital providing support for Newmarket Pony Academy programmes.
• Autism in RacingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Charity partnership hosting annual charity days at the Newmarket Pony Academy to support children with autism.
• East Anglia's Children's HospiceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Charity partnership hosting annual events at the Newmarket Pony Academy.
• Box4KidsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Charity partnership providing hospice outreach through events at the Newmarket Pony Academy.
• United States Air Force (Newmarket)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021US Air Force personnel stationed near Newmarket benefit from a bespoke three-day programme delivered annually by the Newmarket Pony Academy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• Sparsholt College (Part of University of Winchester): UK college offering equine management, science, and training programmes at Levels 1-3. An emerging competitor in equine vocational education with a broader curriculum but less racing-specific specialisation than BRS.
• Royal Agricultural University: UK university offering equine-related degrees and postgraduate programmes, including racing-adjacent courses. Competes for students considering higher education pathways into the equine industry, particularly those choosing degree routes over vocational training.
• Writtle University College: UK college offering equine science, therapy, and management courses. BRS even refers some short course enquiries to Writtle — indicating an adjacent positioning in the equine education ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Hartpury University: UK university with significant equine and racing degree programmes and £50 million invested facilities. Already a BRS academic partner (delivering the BSc in Horseracing Industry), but also an adjacent competitor for equine higher education students.
• The National Horseracing College: UK-based racing training college in Doncaster providing jockey training, apprenticeships, and foundation courses. Most directly comparable institution to BRS, training jockeys and racing staff for the British industry, though without BRS's purpose-built simulator technology or Newmarket location advantage.
• Irish National Stud & Equine Education Centre: Ireland's leading equine education centre offering thoroughbred breeding, racing, and stable management courses. Operates a similar vocational education model combining classroom and practical training, and competes for international rider training demand.

Others

• Racing Foundation: UK charitable foundation distributing funds from the Tote sale to racing education, welfare, and community initiatives. A major funder of BRS (Riding A Dream Academy) and many racing charities; not a competitor but a critical funding ecosystem participant.
• Godolphin (Maktoum Family Racing): Global thoroughbred racing operation owned by the Maktoum family. A key financial partner of the Newmarket Pony Academy, and a major employer of BRS graduates through its Newmarket training operations; functions as both funder and downstream customer.

Broad incumbents

• British Horseracing Authority (BHA): UK racing industry regulator and workforce development body. Endorses BRS qualifications and runs its own British Horseracing Development Programme with BRS; an industry-shaping incumbent whose policy decisions directly affect BRS programme demand.
• The Jockey Club: UK's largest commercial horse racing organisation, operating racecourses and managing Newmarket's equestrian infrastructure. Strategic partner for the Newmarket Pony Academy and the dominant force shaping industry demand for trained staff.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BRSNewmarket
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BritishRacingSchool
• Facebookfacebook.com/BRSNewmarket
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-british-racing-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/brsnewmarket
• TikToktiktok.com/@brsnewmarket

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries2 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 The British Racing School