Gold Circle’s new Stable Employees Educational Subsidy is already bearing fruit and an assistant trainer from the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is the first beneficiary of the scheme.

The subsidy scheme was launched by the company during October and provides financial assistance to individuals from previously disadvantaged communities to improve their skills and status within racing stables.

Mooi River trainer, Michael Pappas, has applied for the subsidy for his registered assistant trainer, Alfred Mchunu, who will benefit to the tune of R1 000 a month for 18 months from December 1.

The subsidy scheme operates on two levels, firstly for stable grooms to progress to the level of stable employees and secondly for those furthering their studies to achieve assistant trainer status.

The scheme is operated in conjunction with trainers who can apply for one education subsidy for every 20 horses in their care with a limit of two subsidies per trainer.

Initially, grooms are encouraged to sit for the Stable Employees examination set by the Jockey Club of Southern Africa. If successful, the groom’s trainer can apply for the subsidy that would amount to R500 a month for 18 months, which the trainer would have to pay to the groom as a promotional increase.

During the 18 months the stable employee would be given every opportunity to write the Assistant Trainer examination set by the Jockey Club and, if successful, the Gold Circle subsidy would increase to R1 000 a month for 18 months.

Gold Circle Chief Operations Officer, Mr Michel Nairac, said the subsidy scheme was part of the company’s many initiatives expressing its commitment to empowering the previously disadvantaged and contributing to the wider transformation of the horseracing industry.