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.

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

• Clean stables and yards, and general stable maintenance;
• Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions;
• Groom and care of horses, including washing down after work;
• Clean and care of tack and equipment;
• Unload, and store feed and supplies;

Physical Environment

Dedication is needed as stable staff are up early and outside in all weathers, taking care of yard duties such as sweeping, track cleaning and mucking out. 

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.

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:

 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.

There are many pathways towards a career in the horse racing industry. Skills and building experience may support your journey.

The Racing Academy Centre of Education (R.A.C.E.) provides specialised stable staff training throughout the year including:

Basic Safety training

Horse care & management

There are many pathways of development in the Horse racing & Equine Industry View Equuip Career Pathways Map

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: animal care, equestrian international instructor BHSAI.

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: animal care, equine studies, horsemanship, stable, yard routine, equine nutrition.

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: Farriery, Stud Farm Assistant Manager.

Search for Apprenticeships

Experience

Grounds staff typically have experience working around Horses although not necessarily thoroughbred horses.  They require basic Horse handling skills and ideally have Yard & Stable experience.  Some trainers are prepared to provide work experience.

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.

Learning Opportunities

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.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €31k

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

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.

Horse Racing & Breeding
The core Breeding and Racing industry was estimated to employ c.9,500 FTEs workers in 2016. However, because of the considerable number of part-time roles that the industry employs due to the seasonal nature of the Breeding industry and event-focussed nature of racing, the total number of individuals involved is c.15,000.

Trainers, Stable Staff & Jockey's
Ireland’s full time trainers (Public Trainers and Restricted Licence Holders) totalled 620 individuals in 2016, which rises to c.880 FTE when point-to-point handlers, a significant proportion of whom will also be full-time, are included.  Stable staff employed by these trainers and point-to-point handlers numbered over 2,800 individuals in 2016, comprising c.1,900 full time and c.1,800 part time staff. The high proportion of 1,800 part time staff is primarily due to the working patterns of yards and the fact that a number of yards, particularly point-to-point, will be relatively small operations.  Jockeys, plus their valets and agents, totalled c.220 in 2016. The vast majority will be attached to a yard where they will ride out every day alongside the stable staff.  

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

Labour Market Shortage
There are labour shortages reported in the racing sector for both work riders and racing grooms. Both areas play key roles within the day to day running of a breeding and racing yard and are essential roles within the industry. Research conducted by the European Trainers Association shows that there is a shortage of work riders throughout Europe.  Positions are most readily available in areas of the country with a large amount of racing yards. 

Stable staff Employee numbers 2016 - 2020 full-time part-time

Total 2016 1,578 1,501 3,079 2017 1,637 1,488 3,125 2018 1,647 1,493 3,140 2019 1,691 1,5

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Veterinary nurses; Pest control officers; Animal care services occupations n.e.c.

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.

• 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