The University of Arizona's Arizona Race Track Industry Program is a one of a kind of program that offers students the opportunity to make a career out of the horse racing industry.

In the early 70's, racetrack executives saw how popular the racing industry was becoming and decided that men and women would need education training to become future leaders in the racing industry. The U of A took a chance picking up the idea of a collegiate program, and has turned out to be quite successful.

"Every year we've grown. We are still the only program that specializes specifically in racing in the United States," said Wendy Davis, Associate Coordinator.

The program offers several areas of focus, such as breeding, training, and naturally racing. Many students have a background with horses and wish to continue their childhood dreams, like Andre Stock.

"Down in Central America, my grandfather, he had one of the best horses that actually is the only horse in Panama that has set a record, a distance record, and then break that record himself. So, that's how I got into it. Just grew up in racing, so that's how I kinda found out about the program. My parents told me if I wanted to work in a racetrack with horses, I needed to get a degree first," said Andre Stock, UA student.

Other students prefer to focus with animals. Where they get hands on experience training the horses on the farm at the UA's Equine Center. Rather than race the horses, Spring Evans, intends to take care of the animals to make sure they are in top shape.

"I'd like to get into training and breeding along, you know getting hands on experience with younger horses. I have with a lot of horses that are older, I've been riding since I was three, so I have older horse experience but with the younger horses not yet so. When Dr. Axe was around his class was absolutely amazing that's what kinda sparked my interest there," said Spring Evans, UA student.

For almost forty years the Race Track Industry Program has been going strong with an 80% placement rate among jobs upon graduating. This unique program is the only of its kind to prepare students to hear those three words...And they're off!

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