A SCHOOL which trains aspiring jockeys and stable staff of the future has been given £300,000 towards new facilities.The money was presented to the British Racing School in Newmarket by Klaus Jacobs, founder chairman of the Jacobs Foundation, a Swiss charitable foundation devoted to the education and development of young people.

A SCHOOL which trains aspiring jockeys and stable staff of the future has been given £300,000 towards new facilities.

The money was presented to the British Racing School in Newmarket by Klaus Jacobs, founder chairman of the Jacobs Foundation, a Swiss charitable foundation devoted to the education and development of young people.

In addition to a modern school education the Jacobs Foundation supports projects and programmes directed towards life skills, computer skills and activities associated with nature and the environment. The grant will help the racing school improve its infrastructure and facilities.

The existing main building and the communication centre will be named the Newsells Park Education Centre and a new 44-bed accommodation unit for trainees will be built. The existing accommodation will then be redeveloped for a variety of uses including a physical fitness facility. Work is due to start today.

Peter Player, the chairman of the British Racing School trustees said: "We are extremely grateful to Klaus Jacobs and the Jacobs Foundation. This is a significant and enormously generous donation which will not only benefit the British Racing School but also the racing industry as a whole. It comes at a very opportune moment given the increase in fixtures announced (last) week and the implications this will have on staffing levels in yards."

The link-up reflects the Jacobs family passion for horseracing and recent development of Newsells Park Stud in Royston, which aims to breed and raise exceptional thoroughbreds capable of competing at the highest level on the international racing circuit.

The stud will be offering its first major draft of yearlings at leading bloodstock sales worldwide this year.

Mr Jacobs, founder chairman of the Jacobs Foundation and chairman of Newsells Park Stud, said: "We believe education and training for young people is extremely important for racing to continue to flourish, and I am therefore delighted to be able to present this funding on behalf of the Foundation to such a worthy cause."