Racing Foundation-funded Racing Media Academy announces launch of its 2024 course

3 Nov 2023

The Racing Media Academy (RMA) has opened applications for its 2024 course.

Launched to increase the diversity and inclusion in British racing’s media, the RMA is funded by the Racing Foundation and its media partners.

The academy is an initiative that forms part of the Racing Pathway Strategy, which aims to take down barriers and increase routes into the sport of racing for future fans and workforce. 

Where gaps in the pathways have been identified, initiatives such as the Racing Media Academy have been created; so that no matter what age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, colour or differently abled an individual is, or background they are from, there is a place to land in British horseracing.

As the RMA embarks on its third year having been funded by the Racing Foundation since inception, Ascot Racecourse has joined as the twelfth media partner.

Josh Apiafi, founder of the Racing Media Academy said, “It was fantastic to receive the call from Ascot enquiring about becoming a media partner. 

“They had seen the benefit of the programme and were keen to support an RMA cadet on their career ladder by providing an exciting internship”.

The RMA gives its cadets the opportunity for work experience and training within racing’s top media companies.

 It starts with an intensive week-long course at the British Racing School, where students get an insight into the world of horse racing and learn about the different areas of the media. 

This is followed by a salaried work placement with one of the media partners. 

It will see the cadets placed with Sky Sports Racing, Racing TV, ITV Racing, RaceTech, JSC, Nick Luck, Ascot Racecourse, ARC, The Jockey Club, Racing Post, Equine Productions and JockeyCam. 

The 2024 Racing Media Academy residential course runs from the 21st to the 28th of April 2024, including a mock race day where cadets put everything they have learned into practice, a day at Sandown Park’s Bet365 Gold Cup and the crowning of our sport’s National Hunt Champions and a morning as guests on a dedicated Sky Sports Racing programme. 

The Racing Media Academy is accessible to anyone over the age of 18 and is entirely free with a salaried placement. Applications are open now until 31st December 2023.

More information about the Racing Media Academy and the application process can be found at: www.racingmediaacademy.com