Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 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.
• 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.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• 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.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

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

• Assist in the preparation and restoration of the racing surface by appropriate grass cutting, careful use of machinery and replacement of divots and filling holes with appropriate soil/sand mixtures;
• Assist in the preparation of fences, rails and buildings;
• Apply fertilisers and weed control materials to appropriate strenght;
• Apply the racecourse watering policy;
• Prepare stables, parade ring and general grounds for all occasions including racedays;
• On racedays perform fence repairs between races and make emergency repairs on the track;

Physical Environment

Outdoors in all weather.

Employers

Racecourses.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Gather and remove litter.
• Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
• Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
• Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
• Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
• Mix and spray or spread fertilisers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
• Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.
• Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.
• Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.
• Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.

Further Information

• Racecourse Groundsperson - from: Horse Racing Ireland
• Racecourse Groundsperson - from: Horse Racing Ireland
• Racecourse Groundsperson - from: Horse Racing Ireland

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.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Education & Further Development

While no specific qualification is required to become a grounds staff on a Racecourse, studies in landscape & sportsturf management focuses on the science behind developing and maintaining Ireland’s designed landscapes, golf courses, tennis courts and sport pitches.  

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Green keepiing at NFQ Level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Horticulture, Horticulture (Landscaping), Horticulture, sports Turf NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Sports Turf management, Applied horticulture Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Sports Turf Management , Sportsturf Science, Horticulture Landscape & Sportsturf Management, NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

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. 

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €23k - €46k

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 Horse Racing ground staff/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.

Data Source(s):
Payscale.com/ equuip/ HRI/ ISSA/ Indeed.ie

Last Updated: March, 2023

* 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).

Although the employment growth over the five-year period was negative for this occupation, employment levels have remained static since 2020. At 37%, the share aged 55 years or older was almost double the national average of 19%.

A relatively high share of persons employed in this occupation were employed part-time. The administrative and support services sector accounted for the largest share of employment for this occupation at almost two-fifths.

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

• Horse Racing Ireland (HRI)

  • 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