Newmarket racing staff 'graduate' after passing leadership course backed by Jenningsbet

Nick Rust, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, was at Newmarket’s Racing Centre on Friday to present certificates to the first cohort of racing staff to successfully complete a 12-week course to help them be better leaders, mentors and team players.

The Level 2 mentoring, leadership, and team skills course was taught and overseen by West Suffolk College with its modules selected by NARS (National Association of Racing Staff) to make it as relevant and beneficial as possible to staff working in the industry.

It was sponsored by Jenningsbet as part of a five-year deal with the idea to have trained mentors in racing yards across the country to help with the retention of staff.

“We have many talented individuals in this sport and sometimes in the past we haven’t invested enough in them and helped to share learning across the industry. I really welcome this programme and look forward to hearing more about the fruits of it,” said Mr Rust.

Greg Knight from Jenningsbet added: “We are very proud to have played a part in helping dedicated racing staff with their personal development and adding to their skill sets. At the end of the day it is the people working in the yards that keep the whole show on the road.”

The succesful candidates were Tom Ashley (John Gosden), Sarah Ashley(Racing Welfare), Andrew Burgess (Godolphin), Hayley Burton (Chris Wall), Debby Catley (Godolphin), Alessia Cellesti (Luca Cumani), Les Dalkin (Godolphin), Karen Davies (Mick Quinn), Di Farrell-Thomas (British Racing School), John Gilbert(The Racing Centre), Carla Hogg (Godolphin), Tina Jacobs(William Haggas), Claire Knight (William Haggas), Trine Langvad(Roger Varian), Angela Lowe (Ed Dunlop), Nick Payne (Tattersalls), Laura Pike (James Owen), Rosie Quirke (Godolphin), Jade Ransley (Sir Michael Stoute), Michael Ryan (Godolphin)Michael Smithson (David Simcock),Chantal Stephens (John Ryan), Dominique Tortice(NARS) and Lulu Winter (Rae Guest).

Twenty-seven-year-old Jade Ransley, who since completing the course has been promoted to a senior role, said: “The course was superb it has built my own confidence up no end.”