Lydia Moore - Racing School Trainee

Lydia, originally from Shropshire, had no hands on experience of racehorses before applying for the 9 Week Foundation Apprenticeship Course at The British Racing School in Newmarket. Despite her lack of racehorse skills her flair for horses may have been hereditary as her cousin is the successful flat jockey, Royston Ffrench.  Her experience with horses was limited to the local showjumping circuit and she initially had no real interest in racing, “I only really used to watch Royston as he is a relative, but now I am hooked on racing.” 

Lydia was always going to come to the British Racing School for her formal training. She says “this is where my cousin trained and he is one of the best jockeys based in the North”.  Royston brought Lydia along to one of the BRS Taster Days, to see what the BRS had to offer. “The taster day gave me the chance to see what was really involved as well as viewing the great facilities”. Lydia applied and after attending an interview was lucky enough to be accepted and commenced her training in May 2010.

Lydia said “When I first came to the school I was overwhelmed, but I soon met lots of new people and enjoyed myself so much.” She made great improvements in the first few weeks and earned the honour of becoming senior trainee. Senior trainee is a big responsibility and gives the student the chance to be a leader the rest of the trainees.

Lydia left the course with flying colours and has started work at her guaranteed job with up and coming trainer Nicky Vaughan. Lydia hopes that she will one day work her way up and become a Travelling Head Lass. “I would love to be responsible for travelling the horses as this would allow me to see the world whilst doing the job I love.”

Lydia is really enjoying her new found career with racehorses and is grateful to the BRS for getting her started. “The main reason she chose the BRS was for its amazing facilities and the fact that it was free, as well as offering an industry recognised qualification.”