Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• 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 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.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

The Work

A stall handler’s role is to load the correct horse in its designated stall prior to the off of the race.

Their responsibility also includes the safety of both horse and rider in the stalls. They work as a team to load flat horses into starting stalls under the instructions of the starter.

The stalls are used to give all horses a fair chance as it guarantees that all horses are where they are supposed to be as the race starts.

The handlers help to calm a horse and prevent it getting spooked and they need to use the right technique to lead the horse into the tight stall. Some horses can require up to four handlers while others may just need one or two.

They need to be alert and attentive at all times as although they wear a helmet, they are relatively unprotected if a horse kicks while they lead them into the stall.

Once the last horse is in their stall, the handlers drop down and crawl out of the way so the race can start as soon as possible.

In Ireland the work of most stalls handlers is part-time or seasonal. The job requires a lot of travel and long hours, but you get to be up close and personal to the best and most valuable of racehorses.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
• Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
• Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
• Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
• Do facility laundry and clean, organise, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
• Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
• Collect and record animal information, such as weight, sise, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
• Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
• Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
• Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets' health.

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.

Stall Handlers are usually experienced stable staff or former jockeys.

To become a stalls handler requires significant experience and skill in handling racehorses of all ages.

You can find relevant courses, such as horsemanship and equine studies listed on the CARE website (Careers And Racing Education) and you can search for a wider range of courses using our FET College CourseFinder.

Training & Development

Apprentice and conditional jockey's are employed by a Racehorse trainer under a 3 year contract, before going on to be self-employed.

FET Centre Traineeship: Animal care, Equestrian International Instructor BHSAI, Horse & stable yard in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 3-5 Search our FET Coursefinder.

FET PLC Courses: Equine studies, Animal science equine at NFQ Level 5-6 FET College CourseFinder.

Apprenticeship: Farriery NFQ level 6, Stud farm asst manager,  NFQ level 7 [in development] Search our Apprenticeship finder.

Professional Development

If you want to progress in your career, you can keep an eye on events, training and careers in the industry through Horse Racing Ireland for example.

You may also like to explore opportunities overseas, with work opportunities in countries.

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €5k - €31k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, sessional and event basis, and role. rates can vary in line with Travel and duties additional to Stable/ Stalls role.

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.  The racing industry have an agreed minimum rate of pay as well as other minimum conditions of employment for Irish stable staff including entitlements to sick pay and stable employee bonus scheme.  The agreement does not prohibit an employer from paying more favourable terms. Further information is available from the Irish Stable Staff Association. 

Data Source(s):
ISSA/ Equuip/ IHRB/ HRI/ Indeed

Last Updated: February, 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 work riders in the equestrian sector.

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.

• The Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE)

  • Curragh House, Dublin Road, Kildare
  • +353 (0)45 522 468
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Horse Racing Ireland (HRI)

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

• Horseracing Regulatory Board

  • +353 45 445 600
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here