Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• 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.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

The Work

Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons (RVS) are employed by the racecourse on race days to provide veterinary advice to stewards on the health, welfare and fitness of the racehorses that are due to run. The will also deal with any injuries that may arise on the day.

There must be at least two RVSs on duty at a race meeting and the meeting cannot go ahead without them, under the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s (IHRB) Rules of Racing.

The Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons work alongside the IHRB veterinary team, which has a more overarching responsibility for the health and welfare of the Thoroughbred racehorse, on and off the racecourse.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds, or performing surgery.
• Inoculate animals against various diseases, such as rabies or distemper.
• Examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries.
• Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis.
• Operate diagnostic equipment, such as radiographic or ultrasound equipment, and interpret the resulting images.
• Educate the public about diseases that can be spread from animals to humans.
• Counsel clients about the deaths of their pets or about euthanasia decisions for their pets.
• Advise animal owners regarding sanitary measures, feeding, general care, medical conditions, or treatment options.
• Euthanise animals.
• Attend lectures, conferences, or continuing education courses.

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

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.

To work as a vet in Ireland you must have a degree in Veterinary Medicine and be registered by the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

A degree in Veterinary Medicine is required to register with the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI). Only registered persons so are entitled to practice as Veterinary Practitioners/Surgeons in the Republic of Ireland and other EU Member States. Veterinary student may also consider veterinary nursing/ assistant. 

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Animal Care at NFQ Level 5 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Animal Care (Veterinary Assistant), Veterinary Nursing, Veterinary Nursing - Advanced, Animal Care, Animal Care & Management, Animal Care and Grooming, Animal Care/Animal Care Assistant, Animal Science - Advanced at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Although there are allied Animal management Apprenticeships in Horse Racing NFQ level 6-7. There are no specific Veterinary Apprenticeship programmes at present Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Veterinary Nursing, Veterinary Medicine - Graduate Entry, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Bioscience, Bioveterinary Science NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Studying Abroad Veterinary Medicine in UK or Europe 

Profesional Development 

Vetinary Council of Ireland

Irish Vetinary Nurses Association 

UCD is the only college in Ireland offering the required degree programme - See DN300 - A 5 Year Level 8 honours degree programme. There are only 80 places available so entry is competitive.

Training & Development

Many Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons are also members of the Association of Irish Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons (AIRVS) who provide training and further education in this specialist area of veterinary medicine.

You may want to progress and work in, or indeed start your own equine vet clinic which may work closely with stud farms, or in other areas of the veterinary profession.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €75k

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

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

Last Updated: August, 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 growth was above the national average for this occupation, although employment in 2022 were similar to 2021 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment was spread across a large number of roles in 2022, with increases across all within this occupation since 2016.

While the numbers employed have increased since 2016, for the most part, the supply from the education and training system has not, and plans to expand training will not have an impact on the potential supply to the labour market in the short-term, given the duration of training required. This has led to issues for a number of roles within this group; for instance, there is an increasing number of students opting to study veterinary medicine in Poland due to the lack of available places to study in Ireland.

Psychologists and pharmacists were added to the employment permits Critical Skills list in June 2022 although new permits issued in 2022 primarily related to radiographers/sonographers, with a small number issued for dentists and pharmacists. With a quarter of those employed aged 55 years or older, replacement demand alone will create job opportunities in the coming years. Demand remains high across these occupations and issues with recruitment are occurring; however, as the numbers employed are too small across the roles for detailed analysis, evidence of shortages are difficult to determine.

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.

• 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

• Veterinary Council of Ireland

  • 53 Landsdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
  • (01) 668 4402
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here