BTEC Equine Trip to Newmarket

On Tuesday 24 March, the BTEC Equine students visited the National Horse Racing Museum and Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket.

Below is a write-up from Tessa (UVI), who shares her experience of the day:

During our time at the museum, we explored the history of racehorses alongside key aspects of their biology, which helped to deepen our understanding of how they are bred and trained for performance. Towards the end of the visit, we had the opportunity to sit on a racehorse simulator, allowing us to experience the physical demands of riding at speed. We also observed several retired racehorses, which provided insight into life after racing and the importance of aftercare.

Following this, our visit to Dalham Hall Stud felt like entering a completely different environment, offering a more practical perspective on the breeding industry. We learned about the significance of selective breeding and the highly competitive nature of producing quality progeny, with a strong emphasis on passing down desirable genetics. One of the most notable horses we encountered was Dubawi, whose stud fee is £350,000 per cover due to his exceptional racing record and prestigious bloodlines. This highlighted the economic value placed on successful stallions within the industry. We then toured the facilities, where we gained an understanding of how stud operations are managed, including the organisation and care involved in breeding programmes.