Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   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.
•   Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Working Life

Industry Summary

Racehorse Training

Ireland has some of the leading trainers in the world amongst its 372 public trainers and 248 restricted licence holders. Whilst there are areas of concentration, notably The Curragh being a global centre of excellence for thoroughbred Racehorse training, trainers are located in 31 of Ireland’s 32 counties.  The largest trainers account for a relatively
high proportion of horses in training.  In 2016 the largest 32 yards accounted for over 3,500 horses, 45% of all horses in training.  At the opposite end of the spectrum the smallest 166 yards accounted for less than 900 horses (11%).

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

Main Duties

• Maintain all necessary racing records - making entries, declarations and booking jockeys;
• Liaise with Racehorse owners, stable staff and suppliers and key governing bodies on behalf of the yard;
• Provide a full secretarial and administrative support service, type reports and routine correspondence, make travel arrangements and receive visitors to the office;
• Make arrangements for any meetings required by the yard's management team;
• Process payments and invoices, prepare payments and maintain financial records;
• Arrange the payment of staff salaries through a computerised payroll system;

Physical Environment

The role is mainly office based as primary duties include administration.

Employers

Training Yard.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Manage and maintain executives' schedules.
• Make travel arrangements for executives.
• Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
• Coordinate and direct office services, such as records, departmental finances, budget preparation, personnel issues, and housekeeping, to aid executives.
• Answer phone calls and direct calls to appropriate parties or take messages.
• Prepare responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries.
• Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email.
• Greet visitors and determine whether they should be given access to specific individuals.
• Prepare agendas and make arrangements, such as coordinating catering for luncheons, for committee, board, and other meetings.
• Conduct research, compile data, and prepare papers for consideration and presentation by executives, committees, and boards of directors.

Further Information

• Fiona Dowling - Head Girl Jamie Osbourne Racing- from: Horse Racing Ireland

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

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 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.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business, office administration, supervisory management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: business management, marketing, commerce, equine studies.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Accounting, Stud Farm Management, Finance, Sales Apprenticeships.

Search for Apprenticeships

Experience

Many racing secretary's start out as stable staff gaining industry knowledge and experience, and some combine their racing secretary role with riding out one lot in the morning before heading into the office.

Certification

Trainers are required to apply for a Racing Establishment Card issued by the Irish Horse Racing Board (I.H.R.B.) within 5 days of commencement of employment for all staff within their stable yard.

Fun Learning Opportunities

ITM Irish Stallion Trail - The 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. 

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

The Racing Academy and Centre of Education (R.A.C.E.) provides members of the racing industry with the opportunity to continue their professional development through a calendar of training and seminar activities on an ongoing basis.

You can review your Career path with Equine Careers map [Equuip, HRI, 2021].

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €50k

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):
Equuip/ IHRB/ HRI/ ISSA/ Indeed/ Sigmar/ Morgan McKinley

Last Updated: February, 2024

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.

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Records clerks and assistants; Library clerks; Assistants Human resources; administrative occupations; Sales administrators; Other administrative occupations n.e.c.

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

This is the largest of the administrative occupations, with employment spread across all sectors of the economy. Employment grew strongly between 2019 and 2020 but has only seen marginal growth in employment levels since then. Despite this, there was a high level of recent job hires indicating that job churn is a significant feature of this occupation.

Skills for Growth data points to some difficulties in filling a small number of administrator roles where skills such as digital, numerical, MS Office, and communications were in particular demand. Job opportunities are likely to continue for this role given its large size and the demand across sectors, even if employment rs as demand for skills outstrips supply across occupations.

• Careers & Racing Education (CARE)

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

• The Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE)

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