We are proud sponsors of the Racing Media Academy 2025 programme which involves working with the British School of Racing as well as upskilling their cadets through our work experience programme. One of their cadets – Rahul Gandhi – just completed a 5-week placement with our team and gained valuable insights into the vital role Podium plays within racing.
Below, Rahul shares his thoughts on how the 5-week placement has gone.
How have you found your placement?
The last five weeks have been an absolute joyride. I spent four weeks in Howden and one in PA Media’s London office, and no two days were ever the same. I got stuck into everything behind the scenes – from pre-event data feeds and live sports coverage to working on the editorial desk. While in London, I had the chance to attend major football press conferences and even tried my hand at live reporting from the crown courts. I am leaving with loads of knowledge and experience that I am really looking forward to putting into practice in the future.
What did you want to get out of the placement before it started & did it live up to expectation?
Rahul: I hold a bachelor’s degree in media communications, where I spent semesters studying both print and broadcast journalism. While I later went on to do a master’s in filmmaking, my passion for honest, accurate journalism never left me.
Ashley Broadley, PA Media Sports Editor, told me I had been selected for the PA Media placement, I could not quite believe it. I was nervous on my first day as this was my first proper stint as a ‘journalist’, but any nerves disappeared quickly thanks to the team (Stuart, Anita, Molly, Matt, Anthony, Ellie), and everyone else who took me under their wing. They made me feel instantly welcome and eased me into the news desk, making the learning experience all the more rewarding.
I have always loved creative writing, but newswriting, especially PA’s house style, is a different beast. It’s sharp, factual, and straight to the point, which is exactly why PA has the reputation it does. It challenged me to learn, unlearn, and relearn the art of journalistic storytelling – something crucial in today’s world of information overload.
I also had the chance to sit with Podium’s data team, where I mainly worked on horse racing coverage. Numbers have always intimidated me, but the team’s patience and willingness to explain things clearly made the whole experience really smooth and accessible.
Not only did the placement meet my expectations, it far surpassed them. I came in a stranger and am leaving with invaluable connections and memories.
What did you learn & has it fuelled your passion to continue the journey into Racing?
Words, numbers, and research – my three biggest takeaways from the placement. I had no clue about the richness of the racing industry in the UK and globally until I got selected for the Racing Media Academy’s training program and the subsequent placement with Podium and PA Media.
Applying for the Academy was one of the best decisions of my life as it opened avenues I never saw myself treading into. I got to interact with jockeys, trainers, and veteran reporters further getting insight into the human-animal connection propagated by the sport. I am confident in exploring the scope of the industry beyond this placement.
What one thing would you say was the biggest eye-opener/best thing you learnt during the placement?
Each day brought something new to look forward to, but the biggest eye-opener for me was seeing just how much work goes on behind the scenes. When we watch a sport, we take the graphics and data for granted – before, during, and after the game or race. But working with Podium made me realise the sheer amount of effort, precision, and coordination it takes from so many people to make that happen. It completely changed the way I see live sports coverage.
What was your stand-out highlights?
One of my stand-out highlights was the day I spent with the racing production editorial team. I learnt how to interpret race data. Everything from a horse’s form and running history to the jockey-trainer partnership, and I even gave some verdicts for the upcoming races at Windsor.
It was my first time tipping for a sport I am still getting to grips with, and I actually picked a winner, with another placed second. That little success gave me a real confidence boost and remains one of my biggest takeaways from the placement.
How important has the RMA been in helping you so far / start your working journey?
I was exploring roles in media when I came across the Racing Media Academy (RMA) application. It is an incredible initiative designed to give young people a foot in the door of racing-related media, but you don’t need to be a racing expert to apply. Just a bit of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn goes a long way.
The eight-day training programme at the British Racing School was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were mentored by leading figures in news, attended race meetings as accredited press, toured studios, and got stuck into real newsroom environments. It was intense, but I came away with a solid understanding of both the racing world and how media teams operate within it.
The team (Lee, Cath, Abby, and Josh) were brilliant throughout – always supportive, encouraging, and great fun to be around. More than anything, the RMA gave me a strong network and media connections and that’s something I know will help me as I take the next steps in the industry.
What are your hopes & aspirations for the future?
I have always enjoyed writing, and my placement with Podium and PA Media gave me invaluable, hands-on experience in one of its most essential forms. We’re living in a time where information is often sensationalised across various media channels, and that makes responsible journalism more important than ever.
Looking ahead, I hope to play a part in shaping a more honest, balanced, and thoughtful approach to news reporting and storytelling. One that informs without distorting and puts clarity over clickbait.
Stuart Walker, Sports Editorial Operations Manager said on the placement.
“In line with our partnership with the RMA, it has been a pleasure accommodating Rahul on his five-week placement at Podium & PA Media. From being thrown in at the deep end by attending the Crown Court on his first day in London to covering press conferences and a horse racing meeting, Rahul has embraced learning about many aspects of the business as well as developing his writing skills. His enthusiasm and desire to ask questions has been evident and we hope Rahul will take much knowledge from his experience with us.”
To find out more about the RMA programme, please contact Ashley Broadley on ashley.broadley@pa.media
