If you are employed as a Racing Groom for a licensed Racehorse Trainer, you will be protected by the agreements that are in place by way of the Trainer’s Licence, issued by the British Horseracing Authority.
A normal full-time week is 40-hours (excluding meal breaks). Any overtime you work above the basic 40-hour week will be paid at the rate of time and one half for each hour worked.
Your holiday entitlement will be 30 days including eight public holidays in your first year working full-time. This will increase after 12 months continuous service and will increase again after five years continuous service.
You’ll also be entitled to time off in lieu for returning from racing after a certain time, racing on a Saturday evening fixture off-rota and travelling or working on off-rota Sundays.
If you go racing to a British Sunday fixture you’ll receive a Sunday Racing Payment. And if you are required to reside in racecourse accommodation overnight, you’ll receive an overnight allowance in addition to your pay.
The Agreement provides for a Racing Industry Minimum Rates of Pay Structure and certain standard conditions of employment for Racing Staff employed by Racehorse Trainers in the racing industry.
There are different minimum salary levels depending on your age, qualifications and experience. These Racing Industry Minimum Rates are agreed between the National Trainers Federation and the National Association of Racing Staff. The Agreement is renewed annually on the 1st April.
Where accommodation is provided, your employer can utilise the NMW accommodation offset. This is the maximum which can be deducted for accommodation. Please refer to the Memorandum of Agreement for confirmation of the current NMW accommodation offset.
You’ll gain skills that help you to do your job. These skills are transferable to many other careers if you choose to have a career change.
Horseracing is an international sport. You will have the opportunity to travel to new and interesting countries worldwide.
In addition to being paid the appropriate hourly payment for time worked away from the yard in excess of your normal daily working hours, you’ll also receive a daily Racing Aboard Payment. Please refer to the Memorandum of Agreement for confirmation of the current Racing Aboard Payment.
A Workplace Pension scheme helps you save for your retirement through contributions deducted directly from your wages. Your employer will contribute to your pension too. As a Racing Groom you are eligible for automatic enrolment.
When horses in your yard win prize money in a race, all the staff in the yard get a percentage share of the money (pool money), as agreed by all the yard staff. Pool money is distributed quarterly.
Winning a best-turned out award at the races with your horse is a great confidence boost and it’s nice to receive recognition and a prize for your efforts. Cash prizes vary between £30 – £300 depending on the value of the race. Occasionally prizes will be in the form of a gift.
The RIABS scheme gives you financial support if you have an accident whilst working for your racehorse trainer, on your way to work or if you are unable to return to work because of your injuries.
The National Association of Racing Staff (NARS) are your Trade Union. As a representative body, NARS offer confidential advice, support and guidance in numerous aspects.
Occupational health is your health in the workplace. If a physical or mental health problem is affecting you at work, you can use Racing’s Occupational Health Service to receive treatment through health professionals. You can self-refer and treatment is provided free of charge. This service is a fundamental part of Racing Welfare’s award-winning Workforce Wellbeing Programme.
Racing Welfare is a registered charity that will support you from the moment you enrol on the Foundation Course. Support will continue throughout your career and into retirement. Your dependents will also be supported regardless of their involvement in racing. There are various ways Racing Welfare can assist including, mental health, money matter, physical health, housing matters, careers, retirement, the list is exhaustive.
A 24-hours-a-day, seven day-a-week support line enables everyone who works in the British horseracing industry to access support and guidance through digital and telephone options.
Should you sustain an injury at work and require medical support, you’ll have access to specialist rehabilitation treatment for physical and neurological injuries at the Injured Jockey Fund Rehabilitation and Fitness Centres in Malton, North Yorkshire (Jack Berry House), Lambourn, Berkshire (Oaksey House) and Newmarket, Suffolk (Peter O’Sullevan House).
Respite accommodation is available for those receiving extended treatment. All three centres have hydrotherapy pools and state-of-the-art gym and training facilities.
Should you decide to start a family, the support Racing Home offers will be invaluable.
Racing Home is an organisation dedicated to helping balance parenting with working in horseracing. It seeks to ensure all employees understand their basic rights and entitlements and can talk openly about the challenges they experience as a working mother, father or carer.
