Licence

Racehorse trainer's licence (Northern Ireland)

You need a licence to train racehorses for entry into races anywhere in Ireland

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You need a licence to train racehorses for entry into steeple chases, hurdle races or flat races anywhere in Ireland.

How to apply

Download an application form from the Turf Club website.

To apply you must:

  • be at least 21 years of age
  • have held either an assistant trainer’s licence, restricted trainer’s licence, jockey’s licence or a qualified rider’s permit for a minimum of 3 years

You must also complete a portfolio showing that you are competent in 10 different areas of stable and yard management.

You will also be asked to sit a written exam. If you successfully complete this, you will be accepted on to the Racehorse Trainers Assessment course.

Once you have completed the course, you will be given a date to submit a business plan to the Turf Club.

Your training establishment will be inspected by stewards of the Turf Club and you will need to pay an inspection fee for this.

You will then be invited to attend an interview with the Licensing Committee at the Turf Club in Kildare at which the decision to grant your licence will be made.

Conditions

Once licensed, you must have public and employer liability insurance for the training of racehorses and the Turf Club must be listed as a ‘notice party’.

Licences only allow training from a specified training establishment. If you wish to train from a different stable or yard you must have approval to do so.

You must have a minimum of 5 horses in training and their details must be notified to Horse Racing Ireland.

You must also have a minimum of 1 runner per month during the course of your licence. Racehorses must be named and registered with Horse Racing Ireland before you can enter them in a race.

You must produce your licence for inspection by stewards or officials whenever asked to do so.

Licences must be renewed each year on 1 March.