Horse Sense (HS): Tell us about the scholarship and how it is structured.

Therese Murphy (TM): The Future of Racing Scholarship is a pioneering initiative aimed at providing structured, high-quality education for stable staff. It offers certified training, including Level 6 qualifications and Level 3 equine first aid, to equip stable staff with the skills and knowledge necessary to enhance horse welfare, improve career prospects and elevate industry standards.

HS: Why did you feel it was important to set up the scholarship?

TM: We’re running this scholarship because stable staff are the backbone of the racing industry, yet their access to professional development has been limited. By investing in their education, we’re not only improving standards of care for horses, but also creating better career pathways, ensuring that talented individuals remain in the industry long-term.

HS: Why did you feel it was important?

TM: For too long, stable staff have lacked access to accredited education that recognises their skills and provides career progression. With growing concerns around staff retention, welfare standards and public perception of racing, this scholarship is a step towards professionalising the role and ensuring stable staff receive the support they deserve.

By formalising education in racing yards, we can improve the industry’s credibility, welfare standards and job satisfaction - ultimately benefitting horses, staff, and the future of the sport.

HS: Who do you think will the scholarship appeal to?

TM: The Future of Racing Scholarship will appeal to a wide range of people within the racing and equestrian industry, particularly:

  • Stable staff
    • – Those already working in racing yards, who want to enhance their skills, gain formal certifications and progress in their careers.

  • Aspiring industry professionals
    • – Individuals looking to enter the racing world with a strong foundation in horse care, welfare and stable management.

  • Employers and trainers
    • – Yard owners and trainers who want to invest in their staff’s professional development, improve retention rates and ensure high standards of horse welfare.

  • Industry stakeholders
    • – Racing organisations, welfare groups and governing bodies interested in supporting structured education to future-proof the industry.

    This scholarship is designed to empower those working behind the scenes in racing, giving them the recognition and career opportunities they deserve. It has already generated significant international interest, with applications coming in from Dubai, India, France and beyond. This shows a real demand for structured, high-quality education in racing - not just in Ireland and the UK, but on a global scale.

    HS: How does the scholarship connect with the work you are doing and the ethos of Equi-Ed?

    TM: The Future of Racing Scholarship is a natural extension of the work we do at Equi-Ed, which is all about raising education standards in the equine industry and ensuring that those working with horses have access to high-quality, accredited training.

    At Equi-Ed, we believe that education is the key to improving horse welfare, professionalising the industry and creating sustainable career pathways for stable staff. This scholarship aligns perfectly with that mission by:

  • Providing structured, certified training
    • – Just like our other courses, the scholarship delivers Level 6 certification and Level 3 equine first aid, ensuring that stable staff receive formal recognition for their skills.

  • Focusing on welfare and best practices
    • – The core of Equi-Ed’s ethos is improving standards of care for horses through better education. The scholarship supports this by giving stable staff the knowledge and confidence to apply evidence-based care techniques in racing yards.

  • Supporting career development and retention
    • – One of the biggest challenges in the racing industry is staff retention. By offering clear progression routes through education, we help keep skilled individuals in the industry and provide them with the qualifications needed to advance in their careers.

  • Encouraging industry-wide change
    • – Equi-Ed has always been about driving positive change in the equine sector. The scholarship takes this a step further by working directly with trainers, racing yards and governing bodies to embed structured education into the racing industry at a higher level.

    Ultimately, the Future of Racing Scholarship embodies the core values of Equi-Ed—accessibility, professionalism and horse welfare - while also reinforcing our commitment to ensuring that the people working with horses every day have the skills, knowledge and recognition they deserve.

    HS: What impact do you feel the scholarship will have?

    TM: The scholarship’s impact is already being recognised at the highest levels of the industry. A key example is our recent collaboration with The Jockey Club in the UK, where we launched a pilot training programme at Cheltenham Racecourse. This partnership demonstrates the industry’s growing commitment to structured education for stable staff and highlights the demand for accredited, welfare-focused training. By working with such an established organisation, we’re not only ensuring that staff receive top-tier education, but also helping to set new standards for professional development in racing. This collaboration is a significant step towards integrating formal education within racing’s biggest institutions, reinforcing the importance of skilled, knowledgeable stable staff in shaping the future of the sport.