The racing and breeding industry relates to racehorse and dog racing.  It covers racing authority operation, racehorse and race dog breeding, ownership and training, and racetrack and race club operation.

The non-racing horse industry and community covers recreational riding, equestrian sports, therapeutic and disability riding, working horses on farms, police horses, and even use of horses in film and media.  It includes various related businesses and services such as breeders, veterinarians, farriers, equine dentists and other professionals.

Jobs in the industry are varied, and include the following:

🏇 Thoroughbred Racing

There are many jobs in the thoroughbred racing sector. Some of the key roles include:

Horse Trainer / Assistant Trainer

Oversees the training, conditioning, and development of racehorses. Prepares training schedules, liaises with farriers and vets and makes decisions about stabling, feed, exercise and vet care.

Barrier Attendant

Loads horses into the barriers on race days, providing support for the jockeys and horses in and behind the barriers.

Jockey

Rides horses in competitive races, exhibitions, and other horse-related events. Jockeys combine physical agility, mental acuity, and deep understanding of horse behaviour to guide their mounts to victory.

Track Rider

A track rider trains and exercises thoroughbreds, conditioning them to a level of fitness suitable for racing. They communicate closely with the trainer, reporting back essential information about the horse’s action and health.

Photo Finish Operator

Uses specialised race result equipment, including cameras, computers and other technology to officially record the finish of a race and supporting data.

Race Steward

Observes the running of the race for interference, injuries, incidences and issues. The steward makes sure rules of racing are followed and investigates possible infractions. The steward also notifies the outriders, track vets, horse ambulance crew and para-medics if a horse or rider are down or is loose. Stewards inspect stables and jockeys’ rooms and handle any complaints from owners or trainers.

🐴 Breeding

Stud Hand

Cares for horses, especially mares and foals, at a breeding farm. This includes daily tasks like feeding, mucking out stables, and checking horses for injuries. They also assist with treatments, assist veterinarians, and may handle general farm maintenance.

Horse Groomer

Responsible for the daily care and maintenance of horses, including their hygiene, health, and welfare. They ensure the horses are clean, healthy, and in good condition for riding, competing, or breeding.

Breeding Manager

Oversees all aspects of breeding operations on a horse farm, from managing mares and stallions to ensuring healthy foals and managing the farm’s overall operations. This includes planning breeding programs, managing the care of horses, and ensuring the farm’s financial stability.

Broodmare Manager

Oversees the care, health, and breeding cycles of broodmares (adult female horses used for breeding). This includes daily management of the farm, ensuring the well-being of the broodmares, foals, and weanlings, and assisting with foaling and reproductive management.

Stallion Handler

Handles stallions during breeding, prepares horses for stud parades, ensures quarantine procedures are followed, and performs other aspects of stud work like feeding, grooming, and assisting with veterinary care.

🏁🐕 Greyhound Racing

Breeders

Greyhound breeders required a deep understanding of genetics, as well as the physical and personality traits desirable in a racing dog. They select sires and dams with strong racing pedigrees to produce offspring potentially gifted with speed and agility. Breeders also oversee the early development of puppies and provide them with their initial exposure to socialization and training, laying the foundations for future racing dogs.

Trainers

Trainers prepare dogs for their racing career, ensuring dogs are in peak physical condition. They teach them the chase skills needed on the track and maintain an ideal weight and fitness level.

Handlers and Kennel Staff

Handlers ensure that greyhounds are prepared on race days, transport them safely to racetracks, warm up and cool down during races. Kennel staff feed, groom, exercise greyhounds, and maintain clean and comfortable kennels.

Veterinary Nurses

Veterinary nurses assist with health checks, providing post-operative care, taking X-rays and administering medication. They are important for the speedy recovery of injured greyhounds and their return to the racing track.

Race Officials

Race officials manage the conduct of the races and ensure all rules and regulations are adhered to.

• Lure Operators operate the mechanical lure that the greyhounds chase.
• Stewards make sure rules of racing are followed and investigate possible infractions.
• Race Judges determine the final positions of the greyhounds in the race.

Track Maintainer

Ensures optimal track conditions for both the safety of the greyhounds and to guarantee fair racing.

🐎 Services

Many professionals provide support services to the racing and non-racing communities. Job roles include:

Farrier

Specialises in equine hoof care, trimming, balancing, and shoeing horses’ hooves. Farriers remove old shoes, prepare the feet for new shoes, and ensure proper shoe fit and maintenance. A farrier monitors the horse’s hooves for signs of problems and provides advice on hoof care, including cleaning, conditioning, and recognising potential issues.

Equine Dental Technician

Provides dental care and maintenance for horses, primarily focusing on maintaining oral health and early detection and prevention of problems. They perform procedures like cleaning, rasping sharp edges of teeth, removing caps (baby teeth), simple extractions, and applying preventative treatments.

Equine Veterinarian Technicians

Assists with the care and treatment of horses, performing surgical assistance, patient care, diagnostic procedures, and client education under the supervision of a veterinarian.