Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• 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.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Assess performance following athletic competition, identifying strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to improve future performance.
• Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
• Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
• Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
• Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
• Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
• Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
• Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.
• Lead teams by serving as captain.

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.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

There are many pathways into a career in Horse racing & Horse riding. 

FET Centre Traineeship: Equestrian International Instructor BHSAI, Horse & Stable yard routine NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Equine studies, Horsemanship, Equine - Horsemanship, Horsemanship and Equine Business, Horsemanship (Stud Management) at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Farrier, Stud Farm Assistant Manager NFQ level 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Education & Further Development

Professional athletes are highly trained physically and mentally from a young age to prepare them to deal with all the challenges they face over the course of a career.  R.A.C.E provides a highly successful Trainee Jockey programme (Course Code: 4M3154). Upon graduation students are prepared for a full-time job as an exercise rider and the prospect of a career as a jockey. For those students who demonstrate high levels of riding skills and commitment, assistance is provided with apprentice or conditional jockey licence applications.

Apprentice and conditional jockey's are employed by a Racehorse trainer under a 3 year contract, before going on to be self-employed Equine Career Pathways Map [Equuip HRI, 2021]. 

CPD - Jockey Pathway is an athletics' programme developed to assist professional jockey's to attain and maintain their peek physical and mental wellbeing.  Many sporting professionals have finished their sporting careers by the time they are in their late 20's and early30's. The jockey pathway provides a career coaching service to assist jockey's develop a dual career or provide a career pathway at the end of their sporting careers.

Experience

To become a jockey you need passion and determination, having talent is just the beginning; forging a long-term career takes time and a lot of training. Professional athletes are highly trained physically and mentally from a young age to prepare them for their career.

Certification

Professional jockey's are required to attain a flat or national hunt licence from the I.H.R.B., some jockey's have both.

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €150k

Professional riders earn €184.59 for riding in a jump race and €161.47 for a flat race. Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience. Professional riders may earn a larger amount depending on conditions and agreement.

Data Source(s):
ISSA/ IHRB/ HRI/ Payscale.com/ 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).

Employment levels fell in this occupation between 2021 and 2022, with 6,000 fewer people employed compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment numbers were small across the individual roles included in this occupation; although the Census shows that there was some growth over the period 2016 to 2022, this was primarily related to fitness instructors.

A half of all persons employed in this occupation worked part-time, far exceeding the national average of 22%. Employment permits issued for this group related to professional sports players sports coaches/instructors. The rising cost of living is likely to have an impact on the demand for the services provided by many people working in these occupations.

An increased use of digital fitness, particularly during COVID-19, may also have an impact on future demand for these roles, along with a shift in the skills profile required (e.g. digital skills). As such, the outlook for this occupation is uncertain, with any potential employment growth dependent on the levels of consumer discretionary spending.

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.

• Irish Horse Board

  • 1st Floor, Beech House, Millennium Park, Osberstown, Naas, Co. Kildare
  • 045 850800
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Gurteen Agricultural and Equine College

  • Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
  • 067 21282
  • Click Here