THE RIGHT HEIGHT is vital for acceptance on to a training course run by the Racing Apprentice Centre of Education (RACE). The centre is looking for people who want to pursue a career in the horse racing industry and gets "hundreds" of applications each year from young people all around the country, but only 30 are chosen.

Judging from the applicants, it would appear, says Clodagh Kavanagh of RACE, that people seem to be getting taller. The main requirements for the course are physical. The applicants should be six stone in weight or, Kavanagh says, "as light as possible, definitely under seven stone, and basically as small as possible, under or around five foot". They must also be aged between 15 and 17 years of age.

In general, the ultimate aim of many of those who are taken on is to become jockeys. The training, however, prepares them for a career in horse racing, and on completion of the year they are ready for a range of roles and positions in racing or stud-farm environments.

They may become stable grooms, assistant trainers, head lads, travelling head lads and "quite often if they are good enough, they carry on and become apprentice jockeys". On successful completion of the course most trainees are apprenticed to trainers, usually ones with whom they have worked as part of their on-the-job training.

"This course is not a summer camp and it's not for showjumping," Kavanagh says. "It is only for the racing industry." She explains that there are more jobs than properly qualified staff available in the thoroughbred business at the moment; there is 100 per cent employment each year.

The RACE course is a 42-week residential one, made up of three 14-week terms. A training allowance is paid according to FAS rates. Graduates are presented with a FAS and City and Guilds of London Institute Certificate and a level two National Vocational Qualification in racehorse care and management.

Traditionally, more men than women apply. This, says Kavanagh, is changing slowly - there are six women and 16 men on the current course. According to Kavanagh, no experience with horses is required and no particular academic qualifications are needed either, but candidates must be literate. Other important qualities which Kavanagh lists include "physical ability and strength and a determination to succeed; a certain amount of mental toughness and a love of horses".

About 30 apprentices are taken on each year, with roughly a third from Dublin and some from the North. The recently built complex, located outside Kildare town, includes accommodation for 30 trainees, plus 24 rooms for second-year apprentices, two lecture halls, recreational facilities, restaurant, oratory and playing fields. The course includes classroom lectures on subjects such as communications, maths, life skills, English, computer appreciation and physical education.

They will host an open day on Wednesday, March 20th, from 2 to 4 p.m. Other open days will be held on April 3rd and 17th and May 8th.