Our Thoroughbred Talents Graduate Programme (IT Stream) will commence in October 2026. This is a unique two-year programme designed to immerse graduates in the dynamic and evolving technology landscape that supports the Irish horse racing industry.
Throughout the programme, you will rotate across multiple IT disciplines, gaining exposure to core operational support, software development, project delivery, and cyber security. As part of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), you will play a key role in supporting and enhancing the digital infrastructure that underpins racecourses, racing operations, and the wider industry.
This programme provides a structured pathway to develop both technical expertise and business understanding within a fast-paced, innovative, and industry-critical environment.
Programme Rotations
The programme will encompass rotations across the following key areas within the IT department:
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IT Shared Services - Service Desk
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Applications Development / Microsoft 365 Technologies
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Project Management Office (PMO) & Continuous Improvement
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Cyber Security
IT Shared Services - Service Desk (1st Line Support)
Graduates will begin their journey in the IT Servicedesk team, providing first-line technical support across HRI, its racecourses, and supported entities e.g. IHRB. This placement builds essential technical and customer service skills, forming a critical foundation for your IT career. You will:
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Provide first-line technical support to employees across hardware, software, and network issues.
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Log, troubleshoot, and resolve service desk tickets within agreed service levels.
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Support user onboarding and offboarding processes, including account creation and equipment setup.
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Assist with maintaining laptops, desktops, mobile devices, and peripherals.
Applications Development / Microsoft 365 Technologies
In this rotation, graduates will gain exposure to building and enhancing business solutions through either:
Applications Development:
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Support the design, development, testing, and deployment of internal systems
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Assist in maintaining and improving applications supporting racing and business operations
Microsoft 365 & Cloud Technologies:
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Support administration of Microsoft 365, including SharePoint and Power Platform tools
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Assist in automation and reporting solutions using Power BI and Power Automate
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Contribute to system upgrades, patching, and maintenance activities
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Maintain IT asset and configuration records
Project Management Office (PMO) and Continuous Improvement
Within the PMO, graduates will gain insight into how technology projects are delivered across HRI. You will work as part of a project management team helping deliver a variety of projects and change initiatives the work will. This placement will develop your organisational, analytical, and communication skills. Key duties include:
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Assist in the delivery of IT projects and system implementations.
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Participate in testing, documentation, and deployment activities.
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Identify opportunities to improve processes and user experience.
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Contribute to IT documentation, knowledge articles, and training materials.
CyberSecurity
In this rotation, graduates will explore the technologies shaping the future of HRI's IT environment. You will gain hands-on experience in:
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Supporting cybersecurity initiatives and best practices.
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Assisting with user access reviews and security audits.
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Helping monitor security alerts and escalate potential risks.
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Promoting cyber awareness among employees.
Learning & Development
As part of the programme, you will:
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Complete structured training and certification pathways aligned to each rotation
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Stay informed on emerging technologies and industry trends
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Participate in team workshops, mentoring, and graduate development initiatives
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Build both technical capabilities and essential professional skills
Programme Experience
In addition to your rotational placements, you will:
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Work across HRI's key locations, mainly in Newbridge (Co. Kildare) and on occasion at selected racecourses such as Fairyhouse, Navan, Leopardstown, and Tipperary
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Contribute to IT systems that directly support racing events, operations, and customer experiences
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Collaborate with experienced IT professionals and cross-functional teams
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Gain exposure to both operational IT support and strategic technology initiatives
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Participate in structured learning and development to build technical and professional skills
Qualifications We Are Seeking:
Essential:
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A Level 8 honours degree (or higher) in:
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Information Technology
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Computer Science
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Software Engineering
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Cyber Security
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Information Systems
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Or a related technology discipline (completed within the last two years)
Desirable (not essential):
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Knowledge of cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud)
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Experience with programming or scripting (e.g. Python, PowerShell, JavaScript)
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Understanding of cybersecurity principles
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Familiarity with:
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ITIL frameworks
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Active Directory
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Virtualisation technologies
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Service desk tools
Key Qualities We Are Looking For
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Passion for Technology: A genuine interest in IT, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.
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Interest in Racing: An enthusiasm for working within the horse racing industry and contributing to its continued innovation
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Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical ability with a proactive approach to troubleshooting and improvement
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Ambitious and Innovative: A desire to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact
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Team Player: Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach to working with colleagues and stakeholders
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Relevant Experience: Internships, academic projects, or extracurricular activities demonstrating technical or analytical capabilities
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Adaptability: Ability to work across different systems, teams, and environments in a fast-paced organisation
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Transport: A full driving licence and access to transport is required
Why Join Horse Racing Ireland's IT Graduate Programme?
This programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your IT career within an organisation at the heart of Ireland's horse racing industry. You will gain hands-on experience across a wide range of IT disciplines while contributing to systems that support one of Ireland's most vibrant and internationally recognised industries.
Selection Process:
Complete the application questions, providing details about your educational background, relevant experiences, and motivations for joining the graduate programme.
Our recruitment team will review all applications to assess qualifications, skills, and alignment with the programme's objectives. This stage involves a careful examination of academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and any additional supporting information provided.
Shortlisted candidates are invited to complete a set of selection assessments designed to evaluate aptitude, analytical skills, and suitability for the specific roles within the graduate programme.
Successful candidates from the assessment stage are then invited to participate in first-round interviews. These interviews are typically conducted by the HR team and hiring managers and will focus on exploring your motivations, experiences, and suitability for the programme.
Second-Round interviews with Senior Management
Candidates who successfully navigate the initial interview stage are invited to a second round, where you will have the opportunity to interact with senior management. This stage delves deeper into candidate's potential contributions to the organization and allows senior leaders to assess the alignment of the candidate with the overall strategic goals of the company.
After thorough evaluation and consideration of all stages, the final selection is made. Successful candidates will be offered a place on the Thoroughbred Talents Graduate Programme, marking the beginning of your professional journey with the organisation.
HRI is an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to inclusivity and accessibility. We will provide any necessary reasonable accommodation for candidates during the interview process.
