Macey and Hewson Selected for Inaugural Autumn Internship

A new professional development opportunity for emerging racecourse management talent has been launched in 2026, with Connor Macey from Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club and Mitch Hewson from Brisbane Racing Club named as the inaugural recipients of the Greenway Turf Solutions & ATC Autumn Internship.

Presented at the 2026 ARMA Awards Dinner in Adelaide, the new internship will give Connor and Mitch the opportunity to spend time with the Australian Turf Club track teams during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, gaining first-hand experience of the preparation and management of some of Australia’s leading metropolitan racecourses.

The program will provide exposure to the planning, track preparation and race day operations required throughout one of the busiest and most important periods on the Sydney racing calendar. Working alongside experienced ATC racecourse management teams, Connor and Mitch will be able to see how major race meetings are delivered and take those learnings back to their respective clubs.

Importantly, the internship is about more than the technical aspects of turf management. It provides an opportunity to build relationships with other racecourse managers and industry professionals, exchange ideas and experience the different challenges that come with preparing metropolitan tracks for racing at the highest level.

ARMA sincerely thanks Greenway Turf Solutions and the Australian Turf Club for initiating and supporting the internship. Their commitment to creating new development pathways for emerging racecourse managers is a valuable investment in the future of the industry.

The introduction of the Autumn Internship also complements ARMA’s existing professional development opportunities and provides another pathway for talented people from both metropolitan and regional racing to broaden their experience.

As the inaugural recipients, Connor and Mitch will have the opportunity to help establish the foundations of a program that ARMA hopes will continue to grow and provide opportunities for future generations of racecourse management professionals.

ARMA congratulates Connor Macey and Mitch Hewson on their selection and looks forward to following their experience with the Australian Turf Club during the 2027 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

Chris Chapman, Connor Macey, Mitch Hewson and Michael Woods.

Step Inside the Full Engine Room of Australian Racing

What does it really take to deliver Australia’s biggest race days, from training tracks to quarantine, from preparation to pressure?

The Australian Turf Club, in partnership with Greenway Turf Solutions, is offering two people from anywhere in Australia a rare opportunity to experience a one-week, end-to-end internship inside elite racing and turf operations, timed perfectly with the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

This is not just about race day.

This is about understanding the entire racing ecosystem.

One Week. Four Venues. The Complete Racing Picture.

Successful applicants will step behind the scenes at four of the Australian Turf Club’s most important operations:

Royal Randwick - Host of Randwick Guineas Day, a premier Group 1 meeting
Rosehill Gardens - Preparation for the world famous Golden Slipper Carnival
Warwick Farm - Training track management and daily racing operations
Canterbury Park - Quarantine, biosecurity, and specialist turf operations

Together, these venues tell the full story of how modern Australian racing is delivered.

What You’ll See (That Most Never Do)

From Monday to Sunday, interns will gain rare exposure to:

How elite racecourses are prepared for Group 1 racing
How turf decisions are made under time pressure and public scrutiny
How training tracks are managed to support hundreds of horses year-round
How quarantine and biosecurity protect the integrity of the racing industry
How one organisation coordinates multiple venues simultaneously
How industry partners like Greenway Turf Solutions support performance at the highest level

From early-morning track walks to behind-the-scenes race-day operations, this is a real world look at elite racing.

What Else You'll Receive

The Australian Turf Club and Greenway Turf Solutions will cover the expenses of flights and accommodation for each successful applicant, as well as hospitality at the race meeting on Randwick Guineas Day.

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is ideal for:

Turf management students and apprentices
Early-career turf professionals
Anyone passionate about sports turf, racing and high-performance surfaces

Why This Internship Stands Out

This internship shows you:

Race day delivery
Training operations
Quarantine and biosecurity
Multi-venue planning and risk management

It’s a complete, industry-shaping experience and one that will stand out on any CV.

Proudly Delivered With Greenway Turf Solutions

This internship is proudly delivered in partnership with Greenway Turf Solutions, highlighting the role that innovation, product performance and strong supplier relationships play in achieving world class racing surfaces.

How to Apply

The Australian Turf Club will select two applicants Australia wide. Applicants are asked to submit their application online (see below), which includes:

Personal details
A brief summary of your career and training.
A short statement explaining why they want to experience elite racing operations

When will the winners be Announced

The successful recipients will be announced at the ARMA Awards Night, which will be held on the Thursday night of the ARMA Conference.