Racing Foundation funds Racing Media Academy into its second year

1 Dec 2022

Applications are open from December 1 for the 2023 Racing Media Academy.

Joint funded by the Racing Foundation and the media partners taking part in the Academy, the course offers 12 budding media enthusiasts the opportunity to gain work experience and training within racing’s top media companies.

The Academy commences in April 2023 with an intensive week of training at the British Racing School, where students will gain an insight into the world of the racing media. The week will be followed by a paid work placement with one Racing’s key media houses, including Sky Sports Racing, Racing TV, ITV Racing, RaceTech, JSC, Nick Luck, ARC, The Jockey Club, Equine Productions and JockeyCam.

The Racing Media Academy is part of the Racing Pathway Strategy, which encourages diversity with the aim of removing barriers for racing’s future fanbase and workforce. The Racing Media Academy is just one initiative that has been created to engage a wider demographic of age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, colour, differently abled and background in British horseracing.

Rob Hezel, Chief Executive at the Racing Foundation, said “The Racing Foundation is passionate about building a more diverse racing industry and helping racing’s media houses become more accessible to people of all backgrounds is an important step in that process.

“After funding the pilot year, the Foundation was pleased to see many of the 2022 cohort gain industry media roles and encouraged to see last year’s media partners once again sign up to develop the next generation of talent.

“I would like to wish best of luck to all those applying to the 2023 academy.”

The concept for the Racing Media Academy was developed by Josh Apiafi, after identifying the barriers to getting new and diverse talent into the horse racing media.

After securing funding from the Racing Foundation for its pilot year, the Racing Media Academy was launched in 2022 with seven of the 10 initial cohort now employed in racing’s media.

“I am incredibly proud of the success of the inaugural Racing Media Academy,” said Apiafi.

“I am delighted that we have managed to secure funding to see it flourish into the future. Special thanks must go to the Racing Foundation and the Media Partners involved.

“The ten cadets that were chosen for the 2022 academy were ten of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege to meet.

“When we open our doors to diversity and inclusion, its eye-opening to see who walks through that door. Just as last year, the only criteria for people to apply is a willingness to learn.

“I look forward to meeting the Class of 2023 in Newmarket in April”.

Apiafi’s ambition is to increase diversity across racing’s media over the next decade by creating a pathway for talent that is reflective of today’s society.

Therefore, those new to horse racing with a passion for the media or those passionate about racing with no media
experience are encouraged to apply.

The 2023 Racing Media Academy course will run from the 23rd to the 30th April 2023 at the British Racing School, including a trip to at Sandown Park for the Bet365 Gold Cup and the crowning of the season’s National Hunt Champions. The participants will also have the opportunity to visit the Luck on Sunday studio to experience the show filmed live at RacingTV’s Studios in Ealing, London.

The Racing Media Academy is accessible to anyone over the age of 18 and is entirely free with a paid placement. Applications are open through www.racingmediaacademy.com