What are the main occupations in this sector?

A career in the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry can be very rewarding and fulfilling. You will have an opportunity to develop a lifestyle which competes very favourably with other professions, particularly with regard to quality of life and job satisfaction.

There is a very broad range of occupations in this sector. The following will give you a snapshot of what’s involved and may help steer you in the right direction for a rewarding career in the industry:

SPORT & COACHING

• Professional Jockey
• Jockeys Agent
• Sports Dietitian
• Strength & Conditioning Coach
• Jockey Coach

RACEHORSE TRAINING

• Racehorse Trainer
• Assistant Trainer
• Racing Secretary
• Head Person (Head Lad/Lass)
• Travelling Head
• Work Riders
• Exercise Rider
• Racing Groom
• Yard Staff

BREEDING & BLOODSTOCK

• Stud Manager
• Bloodstock Agent
• Nominations Executive
• Stud Secretary
• Stallion Handler
• Stud Groom

RACECOURSE

• Racecourse Manager
• Operations Manager
• Hospitality Executive
• Grounds Person

Search the Career Explorer by sector for a comprehensive list.

A career in the Horse Racing Industry...

Click here to learn more about these careers.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a stall handler, Matt Whyte, the starting stalls team leader, talks to us about his love for his job:

Martina has been a Racing Secretary for one of the leading trainers in Ireland for over twenty years, here she tells us what the role entails from one day to the next:

How do you get a job in this sector?

Our industry aims to be welcoming and inclusive and participants are very willing to share their knowledge and be informative mentors.

Horse Racing Ireland’s (HRI) industry and education department operate the www.workinracing.ie website which features a job board of live job opportunities within the breeding, racing and racing administration sectors.

Jobs notices are also shared on the workinracing social media accounts – facebook and twitter.

Both full time and part time positions are advertised.

There is also the option of working part time in a racing yard or stud farm while pursuing further education:

Stable Staff

The role of stable staff is to provide direct care of the racehorse under instruction of the trainer, head staff and assistant trainer. Routine duties include mucking out, sweeping the yard, grooming, feeding, exercising, general horse care and welfare, accompanying horses to the races and ongoing communication with the trainer.

Stud Staff

Studs employ a range of individuals to look after stallions, mares, foals and youngstock. Paddock maintenance is a high priority, and large studs will employ someone to look after the land and buildings. Positions at a stud include stud manager, stud groom, stallion handler, stud secretary and stud hands.

Casual Tote Operators

There are also opportunities to take casual roles on the racecourse as a Tote Operator or Racecourse Casual.

A tote customer service operator role is responsible for the processing of bets that are placed through the tote. Tote Operators service all Irish race meetings and festivals accepting bets from racegoers. Tote Ireland customers bet into a common pool, betting against one another, whereas in bookmaking, they bet against the bookmaker.

What are the typical earnings of these occupations?

Rates for stable staff are:

Adult Worker -€ 10.75

Under age 18 - € 7.53            

Other roles within the industry offer competitive wages/salaries to match other industries.

Grants

CARE has established an education and training grant programme which is available to all who work in the Irish racing industry, whether you work in a racing yard, a stud farm, or at a racecourse or sales house you are eligible for the grant programme.

The programme is also open to all Jockeys, both professional and amateur. The programme will make a contribution towards the cost of any accredited course or training programme and forms part of CARE’s commitment to providing access to education and training opportunities for employees in the racing industry.

The main accreditation body in Ireland is Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), for details about QQI and the various levels on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) please click here.

For details about the grant programme or the range of QQI accredited courses available click here.