Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

The Work

Industry Summary

Nominations Executive, Godolphin

"My role involves being the point of contact for breeders/clients wishing to breed their mares to Godolphin stallions.  This includes maintaining relationships with current clients and building relationships with new perspective clients.  In the months leading up to the start of the breeding season I suggest particular stallions for our client's mares and then follow through with getting contracts finalised.  When the foals are born I visit the different farms around the country to inspect the foals and get an idea of the type of progeny the different stallions are producing.  During the sales season I attend all bloodstock sales as a representative of Godolphin and view all the Godolphin sired stock."

Main Duties

• Contribute to the development of the stud’s strategy to attract mare owners to their stallions;
  Study and analysis of pedigrees;
• Communicate with clients and sales of stallion nominations;
• Inspect foals, weanlings and yearlings;
• Attend at all major sales;
• Constant networking and building of relationships with industry professionals to maintain and expand their sales business;
• Maintain an awareness of international industry trends and demands;

Physical Environment

The role is mainly office based as primary duties include organisation and administration of the mating and sale of horses in the stud.

Employers

Bloodstock Company's.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Feed and water animals, and clean and disinfect pens, cages, yards, and hutches.
• Observe animals in heat to detect approach of estrus and exercise animals to induce or hasten estrus, if necessary.
• Treat minor injuries and ailments and contact veterinarians to obtain treatment for animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
• Purchase and stock supplies of feed and medicines.
• Select animals to be bred, and semen specimens to be used, according to knowledge of animals, genealogies, traits, and desired offspring characteristics.
• Examine animals to detect symptoms of illness or injury.
• Build hutches, pens, and fenced yards.
• Record animal characteristics such as weights, growth patterns, and diets.
• Brand, tattoo, or tag animals to allow animal identification.
• Arrange for sale of animals and eggs to hospitals, research centers, pet shops, and food processing plants.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Some nominations employees have worked their way to this rewarding career path and are passionate about the horses in the thoroughbred industry. While no specific training is required to start a career as a Nominations Executive, many new entrants to the industry have a bachelors' degree. Training & Development contribute to your Career path into Horse Racing, Equuip Racing career map.     

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Animal Care, Equestrian International Instructor BHSAI in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Horsemanship, Equine Breeding, Equine Studies - Horsemanship, Horsemanship and Equine Business, Horsemanship (Equitation), Equine Anatomy & Physiology / Nutrition, Equine Breeding,  around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Sales, Stud Farm Assistant Manager Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Equine Business, Equine Science, Animal Science - Equine, Animal Science - Equine - Agricultural Science, Equine Management NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Godolphin Flying Start, Equine Management, Equine Sports Medicine NFQ level 9 

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (I.T.B.A.) provides members with the opportunity to continue their professional development through a calendar of training and seminar activities on an ongoing basis.

RACE The racing academy. 

The ITM Irish Stallion Trail ITM Irish Stallion Trail is an annual showcase for the Irish thoroughbred breeding industry, with stallion farms across Ireland opening their doors to breeders, racing professionals, and racing fans on two days in January of each year.  Over 25 stallion farms participate in the Trail, which has been running for six years. Studs participating in the Trail in 2020 included Ballylinch, Boardsmill, Castlehyde, Coolmore, Derrinstown, Gilltown, Irish National Stud, Kildangan, Rathasker, Rathbarry & Glenview Studs, Yeomanstown, and many more. 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €67k

Generally, the amount of pay you receive for working is a matter of agreement between you and your employer.  These negotiations normally occur when you receive a job offer.  

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Equuip/ ISSA/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although the employment growth over the five-year period was negative for this occupation, employment levels have remained static since 2020. At 37%, the share aged 55 years or older was almost double the national average of 19%.

A relatively high share of persons employed in this occupation were employed part-time. The administrative and support services sector accounted for the largest share of employment for this occupation at almost two-fifths.

Horse Racing Ireland: Social & Economic impacts report 2023

The Irish Breeding and Racing industry supports 30,350 full time equivalent (FTE) staff in total. This includes 9,400 jobs directly related to the industry. Over 40% of these (c.3,950 FTEs) work in breeding operations, closely followed by c.3,000 FTE stable-staff, trainers and point-topoint handlers (c.800), caterers (c.350), jockeys, agents and valets (c.300) and racecourse staff (c.300). A further c.7,000 jobs are attributable to directly related employment. This includes individuals in equine-related roles like veterinarians and farriers, as well as those working in related agricultural, and leisure roles. Total non-betting employment was 24,800 in 2022, up c.8% when compared to the 22,900 supported by the industry in 2016.

Secondary employment is estimated to total c.8,400 and includes roles that are supported by further spending in the Irish economy (the ‘ripple effect’). This supports jobs in the likes of the travel and accommodation sectors and the bar and restaurant trade. Furthermore, the betting sector in Ireland is intrinsically linked to Irish racing, and many fewer individuals would be employed should racing cease to exist.

The sector is estimated to employ c.5,550 FTEs, across individuals working in LBOs and the Head Offices of betting operators.Given that Ireland has a large proportion of its population residing in rural communities, agriculture holds a high level of significance, with the Breeding and Racing industry being a significant  contributor to agricultural employment. It also supports jobs in farriery, horse transport and veterinary/equine health.

Directly related employment relates to those jobs that whilst being heavily reliant on the Breeding and Racing industry, also serve other industry sectors and sub-sectors. These can include equine-related roles such as veterinarians and farriers, as well as roles in agriculture, leisure, and hospitality. This is estimated to total c.7,000 in 2022.

Jobs Board
The www.workinracing.ie website includes a Jobs Board with live opportunities available within the breeding, racing and administration sectors.

• Horse Racing Ireland (HRI)

  • Ballymany, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, Ireland, R56 XE37
  • (045) 455 455
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Careers & Racing Education (CARE)

  • Horse Racing Ireland Ballymany, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, Ireland, R56 XE37
  • (045) 455 455
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM)

  • Ballymany, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, Ireland, R56 XE37
  • +353 45 443060
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA)

  • Greenhills, Kill, Kildare, Ireland, W91 FY62
  • 045 877 543
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here