Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

The Work

As a racing journalist, you write articles, reports, or blogs on horse racing, or create podcasts. You can work for local or national newspapers, trade papers, racing websites, or as a freelance journalist.

You typically work to tight deadlines and as well as covering racing events, you may seek your own news items or feature stories.

You carry out research that involves collecting information, attending events and press conferences as well interviewing people and reading reports. You need to constantly keep up-to-date with developments in the racing industry.

Experienced racing journalists working for newspapers or magasines may become sub-editors or editors.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
• Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
• Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
• Analyse and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
• Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
• Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
• Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
• Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
• Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organise this material into appropriate formats.
• Present news stories, and introduce in-depth videotaped segments or live transmissions from on-the-scene reporters.

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

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

The most important thing is a passion for racing and an in-depth knowledge of the horses, jockeys, owners and the sport as a whole. Many racing journalists will have spent years attending races and have a love for the sport.

Although it is not always necessary, many have training in journalism and the most relevant third level course subjects include journalism, communication and media.

Building up a portfolio of work is often more important than having a specific qualification. You can do that through a blog or by writing stories and sending them to local papers or other media. By doing that, you gain valuable experience, get to know people in the industry and it can lead to more work in the future.

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Broadcasting & Production skills in centres around Ireland at NFQ Level 5 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Theatrical performance, Production, Audio/ Visual, Journalism, Broadcasting, New Media, Digital media, Acting, TV presenting & Film production at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: There are no specific Apprenticeships currently in this career area but more are in development Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Creative broadcasting & production, Film & broadcasting, Digital Media, Journalism, Journalism and Digital Communication, Communications Studies,  NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Digital media, Production & broadcasting /TV/ Radio/ Media, and Journalism at NFQ level 9

Horse racing Ireland Equuip Careers

Irish Film & Televlsion Network

European Journalist Association: Irish Section

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €82k

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

Data Source(s):
Salary expert/ Payscale/ Indeed/ Prosperity.ie

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).

Employment levels in this occupation has seen little change in recent years, with numbers employed in 2022 slightly lower than five years ago, resulting in a negative employment growth rate. The CSO Census data indicates that increases in employment related to public relations professionals and librarians. 

The numbers employed in the individual occupations are too small for any further analysis.

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.

• Horse Racing Ireland (HRI)

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

• National Union of Journalists

  • Irish Office, Spencer House, Spencer Row, off Store Street, Dublin 1.
  • (01) 8170340
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here