Thoroughbred Industry Careers

Thoroughbred Industry Careers 

Did you ever sit on your pony as a kid and pretend to be a jockey, many Aussie kids do just that each and every day. They dream of being a vet, riding a Melbourne Cup winner, being the next Chris Waller. 

 This year we have seen the National Pony Racing Series come to life, it has highlighted the many employment opportunities available in the racing industry to the next generation, not to mention it has been an absolute blast for not just the kids but the people already involved in racing, who have gotten so much joy from watching these kids start on their journey, developing a real love for the sport.  

The Australian Thoroughbred Racing Industry is one of the country’s biggest employers with around 250,000 participants across all aspects of the industry, it contributes around $5 billion dollars to the Australian economy each year and the career opportunities are wide and varied. 

You can work directly with the horses and be hands on or be part of the many associated participants and business that keep this thrilling industry alive, whichever path you choose a career in the racing industry can be fascinating, rewarding and very exciting. Here are some but not all the careers you can follow. 

• Day to Day training and care 
• Horse Trainer 
• Assistant Trainer 
• Stable Foreman 
• Strapper/stablehand 
• Jockey 
• Track Rider 
• Racing Managers and Admin 
• Health and Wellbeing 
• Veterinarians 
• Farriers 
• Vet Nurses 
• Dentists  
• Feed and Nutritional Services 
• Chiropractors and Physios 
• Race Day jobs and officials, Club Management, Committees and Administration 
• Stewards and Officials 
• Barrier Attendant 
• Clerk of the Course 
• Float Driver
• Race Caller 
• Racecourse Managers 
• Marketing and Education 

What many also don’t see is what goes on away from the glamour and excitement of race day, the behinds the scenes workers that get up at the crack of dawn everyday to look after, train and care for these magnificent animals from the time they are born to when they retire, these jobs are just as rewarding and fulfilling if not more so. 

• Education, Breeding and Spelling Farms 
• Pretrainers 
• Horse breakers 
• Stud and Farm Managers 
• Stud Grooms/stable hands/Farm Hands
• Foal Attendants 
• Stallion Handler 
• Broodmare Managers 
• Office Staff 
• Bloodstock agents and auctioneers 
• Sales staff 

Your career path is not just limited to Australia either, with the right skills and experience opportunities are endless and you can use your career as a steppingstone to travel.  

So, when deciding if the sport of Kings is for you take time to look into all aspects of the industry the right job might be just waiting there for you. And next Saturday when those excited and courageous kids, steer their ponies down the straight at Royal Randwick, competing in the final of the Pony Racing Series you may well be looking at a future leading jockey or Melbourne Cup winning trainer who knows.