College races to bring a new generation of young riders to the starting line

For Northern Racing College, the challenge is a simple one. Its task is to turn those dreams into reality; even if the aspiring rider has never previously sat on a horse.

Yet the stakes are far higher than a TV talent show. Riding is the only career choice of the aspirants; failure is not an option.

Since it was founded in 1984 in the grounds of Rossington Hall, a short distance from the hallowed turf of Town Moor, Doncaster, that stages the St Leger every September, it has prepared almost 4,500 youngsters for a career in racing and provided them with the necessary NVQ qualifications and riding licences.

Some have become successful jockeys. Others work in the stables of Yorkshire's top trainers who have a close association with the college.

Now this registered charity is embarking on a 1m fundraising drive to extend its on-site residential facilities for students – many of whom have never lived away from home until they step through the college's inviting gates.

It begins with a fund-raising race day at Pontefract tomorrow – and three racing ambassadors explaining what this unique facility means to them.

Fran Harper: the instructor

FRAN Harper has enjoyed many memorable days on the racecourse. As an assistant head girl to Richard Fahey, she was a frequent visitor to the winner's enclosure when the redoubtable mare Anna Pavlova won 10 of her 23 races.

Now Fran derives as much pleasure when she sees one of her young proteges at the Northern Racing College enjoy a win of their own, or secure a tentative first job in the gruelling world of horse riding. The pay is invariably poor; the personal rewards, however, can be limitless.

As an instructor, Fran's day begins at dawn when she oversees the latest intake of pupils as they muck out their horses – a string of retired racehorses – and then ride them out on the gallops. Every aspect of horsemanship and equine welfare is covered as students become accustomed to stable life.

Mid-morning includes practical lectures, including sessions on a racehorse simulator to refine a jockey's riding skills, while afternoon sessions include introducing horses and aspiring jockeys to the rigors of the starting stalls. It's essential; a split-second can make the difference between winning and losing a Flat race.

Evenings include mucking out the stables and grooming the horses.

"We have 20 new students every six weeks. For some, horse racing may not be for them. Some may not even have sat on a horse until they arrive here," says Fran.

"I've worked in racing for seven years now – and wouldn't swap it for anything. The wins with Anna Pavlova were special; you get a special buzz walking into the winner's enclosure. Now the buzz is seeing kids, who had no experience or confidence when they started, doing well. You know then that you have made a difference."

Joe Palmowski: the stable lad

GROWING up in the Dearne Valley, Joe Palmowski did not come across horses. Football was the sport – it still is – and he was a proud mascot when Rotherham United won the 1996 Auto Windscreens Shield final at Wembley, beating Shrewsbury Town 2-1.

Horse racing only captured his imagination when Bobbyjo won the 1999 Grand National. Captivated by the world's greatest steeplechase, Joe watched the thrills and spills at Aintree on television each year before deciding, at 14, that he wanted to become a jockey.

He was fortunate that he saw a Northern Racing College careers leaflet at Saint Pius X High School. The drawback was that he had to be 16 before he could enrol.

Yet his determination paid off. His sports teacher, Alan Donkin, and the college arranged for Joe to make a 40-mile round trip every Friday to begin a NVQ level one in horse care. A second such qualification would follow – and now 21, and happily ensconced at the flourishing West Witton yard of top Yorkshire trainer Ferdy Murphy, Joe is testament to the college's ability to open up horse racing to people from non-riding backgrounds.

"Everyone has been brilliant – and I can't thank everyone enough," said Joe after an exhilarating morning on the gallops at Murphy's stables. "This has been like a dream coming true.

"When I first started, I had never ridden a horse. And, if one wished its tail, I would run a mile. I have to admit that I wasn't the

quickest of learners, and then it clicked."

Joe's journey has also seen him enjoy stints with the leading Irish trainer Michael Hourigan and a spell riding track work in Australia that saw him end up in intensive care with a punctured liver and three broken ribs after a fall.

What inspired him, however, was how the NRC rallied round and allowed him to ride some horses to help rebuild his shaken confidence before he returned to Murphy's yard where he spends every day picking up advice from top jockeys like Graham Lee and Keith Mercer as they ride the trainer's horses on the gallops.

"I'm very lucky to have such mentors," says Joe before plotting how he will beat Keith on the badminton court as the riders look at novel ways of retaining their fitness.

For Joe, last month's Cheltenham Festival – the Olympics of National Hunt racing – was an unforgettable week. He was tasked with riding out Murphy's stable star, Kalahari King, who later finished a gallant third in the prestigious Queen Mother Champion Chase. And he led Murphy's Poker de Sivola – a future Grand National prospect – into the winner's enclosure after he won the National Hunt Chase following an inspired ride by Katie Walsh whose brother, Ruby, is Ireland's top jockey.

"I've led a horse in. Now I want to ride a Cheltenham Festival winner," added Joe. "And I will have a very long list of people to thank, starting with the college and my sports teacher at school."

Rhys Flint: the future champion

FOR years, Rhys Flint has been tipped as a future champion jockey because of his prowess on the pony-racing circuit.

A professional jockey for two years, he was crowned champion

conditional on Saturday, the title for top young riders, after

recording 42 winners in the 2009-10 season – including an eyecatching victory aboard his ever loyal Fair Along in Wetherby's Grade Two John Smith's Hurdle last October.

The 19-year-old is tipped to be a potential successor to Tony McCoy, the record-breaking 15-times champion jockey.

Unlike Joe Palmowski, Rhys rode horses from an early age – his father John is a trainer – but he still needed the requisite riding licence before he could compete professionally.

It was here, he says, that the Northern Racing College came into its own. Realising the Welsh-born rider's potential, they fast-tracked his

application so he could pass the necessary tests at the end of two

courses.

"They could have made me wait – but they didn't," said Rhys.

"It's not just the riding – it's how you conduct yourself as a jockey, deal with owners, talk to the media and make sure you abide by the rules of racing, such as where and when you can and cannot use your mobile phone. Little things – but little things that make a difference to someone who wants to be as professional as they can."

Rhys is fortunate to have enjoyed such a fruitful association with Fair Along, who he used to ride as a youngster before the horse was transferred to the stables of top trainer Philip Hobbs

Two high-profile wins in late 2008 on Fair Along at Cheltenham, the home of National Hunt racing, confirmed the glowing assessments about

Rhys's promise.

He's also had the privilege of carrying Grand National- winning owner JP McManus's famous green and yellow sticks to victory – while a more recent success was aboard Exulto whose owner is the retired television commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan. "A great prospect," said Sir Peter of the jockey. (Typically, he was more reserved about his horse's

prospects).

One of Rhys's many assets is his modesty. He does not boast of wanting to become champion. He knows that many have been compared to the

peerless McCoy and come up short. And, as one season ended on Saturday and another started a day later, he just wants to ride his winners, continue his association with trainers like Richmond-based Alan Swinbank and be an ambassador for the Northern Racing College.

"I just want to ride winners – and continue improving," he added in his soft Welsh accent.

It's a mantra that the Northern Racing College would certainly endorse as it begins its own race – one that it hopes will end in triumph with facilities that encourage, and inspire, the latest generation of racing champions.

RIDING HIGH

n The Northern Racing College was established in 1984 and is based in the grounds of 19th century Rossington Hall.

n While primarily funded by the horseracing industry and government agencies, it is run by a charitable trust.

n Chris Howett, at Catterick in August 1986, was the first ex-NRC student to have a ride in public.

n The Earl of Scarborough and Mayor of Doncaster opened the "round" gallop in 1989, with an indoor riding school opened in 1997.

n Princess Anne opened the first NRC on-site residential block in 2003.

n So far, 4,359 students have passed through the college, with 43 resident at any one time.

n Log on at www.northernracingcollege.co.uk for further details.