The Work

Industry Summary

Ireland's Racecourses

Many racecourses are owned by local bodies, including companies, trusts and charitable organisations, meaning their objectives are not concentrated solely on profit maximisation.  Four racecourses – Leopardstown, Navan, Fairyhouse and Tipperary – are owned by HRI, with the remainder independently owned.  The majority of racecourses host both Jump and Flat racing with some prominent exceptions, including the Curragh - Ireland’s premier Flat racing venue and Punchestown, which hosts the leading Jumps festival.  The only All-Weather racecourse is at Dundalk, which enables Flat racing to take place all year round.  

[Source: Economic Impact of Irish breeding and racing 2017]

Main Duties

• Direct and control the staff of the department to ensure that are appropriately trained and motivated and carry out their responsibilities to the required standards;
• Maintain regular contact with members to obtain feedback about their needs and their opinions of the services provided by the Racecourse;
• Develop and control the budget for the operations department required to meet its objectives and at the right times;
• Develop all necessary policies and procedures to ensure that a safe and healthy working environment is maintained;
• Act as the racecourse's main adviser on all issues relating to operations and keep abreast of the latest developments to ensure the Racecourse maintains its competitive position;

Physical Environment

The role is mainly office based as primary duties include overseeing the accounts, business planning and staff management.

Employers

Racecourses.

Further Information

• Racecourse Operations Manager - from: Horse Racing Ireland
• Racecourse Operations Manager - from: Horse Racing Ireland
• Racecourse Operations Manager - from: Horse Racing Ireland

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

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.

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.

A racecourse operations manager is responsible for ensuring a successful racecourse with overall responsibility for health and safety, and the day to day operation of a racecourse working closely with ground staff, sales and hospitality and catering teams and all service providers on race day. 

While no specific qualification is required to become a racecourse operations manager, the Level 8 bachelors degree programme in Equine Business (MH405) in Maynooth University is the only business degree dedicated to equine business, students study equine businses themes such as: thoroughbred breeding, racing and equestrian sport and its management here in Ireland and internationally. 

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Business & office Admin,  Supervisory Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Business Management, Sales, Marketing, Business - Tourism with Business - Equine Business, Hospitality & Tourism Management with Specialisms - Hospitality or Tourism 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, Business management, Commerce, Marketing, Hospitality Management, Hospitality Studies NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Management NFQ level 9

Godolphin Flying Start Post graduate opportunities Management and Leadership training programme that specialises in the international Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry

The Association of Irish Racecourses (A.I.R.) is a non-profit making organisation and its membership is comprised all Irish Racecourses. Through regular meetings and contact with racecourse executives the AIR advise and assist members regularly on issues relating to the promotion and development of racecourses.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €100k

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):
Glassdoor/ Jobs.ie/ Azon/ Morgan McKinley/ CPL/ Excel

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).

Numbers employed in this occupation are too small to allow for any analysis. Employment permits issued in 2022 related to farm managers (including pig and dairy). 

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.

• Careers & Racing Education (CARE)

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

• The Association of Irish Racecourses GLG

  • 63 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2.
  • (01)-6760911
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Horse Racing Ireland (HRI)

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