Advanced Program: how the training helped Gwen Gérard connect sociology and field data

Gwen Gérard took part in cohort 7 of the Advanced program.  A PhD candidate specialising in the sociology of horse racing, she tells us how the training brought a concrete dimension to her research, and how she now sees herself as a bridge between theory and practice in the racing industry.

Could you introduce yourself ?

My name is Gwen Gérard. I am currently completing a PhD in the sociology of flat horse racing, focused on the human-horse relationship within a complex industry that remains under-documented by academic research. That’s precisely what drew me to it. I’ve been passionate about horses for as long as I can remember, and even though my professional path wasn’t built around them, I always found my way back. I also hold an MSc in Equine Science from England.

The further I go in my research, the more invested I become. It’s a field with real depth, often misunderstood by the general public, who tend to see it as a closed world.

What motivated you to join the Advanced program? How did you hear about it?

Your background is academic and theoretical. Is the program accessible to someone from that world, without direct field experience with data?

There’s a real learning curve at the start, particularly around vocabulary specific to the racing world. But with a solid understanding of horses and genuine motivation, you can keep up: the training stays centered on the horse itself, which gives everyone a common ground, whether they come from data or from the field.

What would you say is the main value the program adds to your day-to-day work?

Can you share a specific example where the program had a positive impact, or a course that particularly stood out to you?

Thanks to my MSc in Equine Science, the anatomy and physiology side was already familiar to me. What struck me most were the key parameters and flash analysis: being able to follow a horse over time, cross-reference data, and compare training sessions. It’s a real goldmine of information, and I learned a great deal from it.

I also really appreciated the module on working with a racing team: a clear, pedagogical approach that explains how to navigate conversations with teams on the ground. A great complement to the technical side.

Your background is research and analysis-oriented. How do you see yourself translating these skills into the field?

I see myself as a bridge between the theoretical and the practical world. I enjoy building connections between worlds that rarely talk to each other. The Advanced program gives me that legitimacy, alongside my academic expertise, to make that link.

Given your background in horse racing sociology, how do you see the integration of data and sport science into traditional training practices?

It’s a field that’s evolving. Younger generations of trainers are increasingly open to using data, alongside their expertise and intuition, which remain essential. That shift takes time, but it’s real: data supports and validates what trainers already observe on the ground, which also helps shift the industry’s image.

I’m convinced that data, and the way we communicate about preparing horses the way we would athletes, can help build better understanding, and in turn stronger public engagement around racing.

If you had to describe the program in three words, what would they be?

Listening, because the knowledge gained helps you better approach the horse. Skill, because the program builds real analytical ability. And openness, because it broadens your perspective over the long term.

Our goal is to combine welfare and performance. Did you feel that in the program?

Can you tell us about your professional plans?

Would you like to add anything?