I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say the Racing Media Academy has been the best experience of my life, the course and my placement has been a once in a lifetime opportunity and is one I will always cherish. The course in Newmarket was the definition of “full on” but in such a beneficial way, the knowledge myself and the group gained from all the talks from people in different sectors of the media was invaluable. I would say the Mock Race Day was my favourite part of the course because we had the chance to put the skills we had learnt throughout the week such as the planning and processes needed to allow the production to flow smoothly to use. The group, in my opinion, excelled, showing just how talented they all are. The skills I learnt throughout the week I have taken into my placement with Sky Sports Racing and hopefully will continue to utilise.

My placement was a 6 week duration with different parts of the Sky Sports Racing team, starting off with social media, moving onto research, production, directing and finally culminating with a week working at Royal Ascot as a runner for the morning programme and then for the media team collecting content for social channels while racing was taking place. It was an opportunity I felt incredibly privileged to have undertaken. I have subsequently applied for an Assistant Producer role with Sky Sports Racing and hope to continue working for the team. Soon after the Racing Media Academy mock race day I started working for Stratford Racecourse as an on course presenter/pundit and have learnt a great deal about the art of the role.

I would like to thank Josh Apiafi, Lee Moulson, Abby Apiafi, Catherine Groff for creating and organising what was an unbelievable week in which I will never forget!”