There are 25 Race courses in SA and we host over 180 race meetings per year, on average 3.5 race days per week! With the racing industry in South Australia being responsible for the employment of 3000 fulltime equivalents, there are many exciting career opportunities that exist within our industry.
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry and is the second most popular spectator sport in Australia – second only to the AFL.
Whether you’re interesting being hands on with horses, working outdoors managing turf and racecourses, or pursuing an international career we can assist you with the first steps.
Entry-level stable hand jobs start with the daily care and handling of horses and all the maintenance that comes with working in a professional racing stable; grooming, feeding, cleaning & mucking out stables & yards, and working towards race-day strappers, track work riders, stable forepersons and travelling grooms.
Once you gain an understanding of the broad Racing Industry there is the potential to progress further into a Jockey Apprenticeship, become a Race-horse Trainer, a Farrier and other specialised equine care roles.
Pathways are also available into racing administration, barrier attendants, stewards and integrity welfare officers, Race Club Managers, events and racing marketing, race broadcasting and sports turf management.
For more information on careers in the SA thoroughbred racing industry, please fill in this Expression of Interest form, and someone from the Racing SA Careers department will be in touch with you.
Click here to download an information brochure on careers in the SA thoroughbred racing industry.
Click here to download an information brochure on the introduction to horse handling workshop.
Stable Hand Job roles and responsibilities: |
A racehorses constant companion, the strapper makes sure a racehorse has everything it needs to perform at it's best. |
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Working hours:
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• Monday-Saturday: 4:00am to 9:00am
• Afternoon shift: 2:30pm to 4.30pm
• Sunday: 6:00am to 9:00am and 3:00pm to 5:00pm
• Afternoon shifts can be on a roster system.
*Race-Day attendance is “on-top” of the usual stable work. Most stable hands will receive a Race Day attendance fee, or an hourly wage for time at races.
*approximate times and can vary from stable to stable and country or metropolitan venues
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Duties: (Stables/Races)
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The strapper/stable hand spends hours with the horse every day and often is the first to notice if something is amiss.
• Attending to routine stable maintenance such as cleaning water buckets, topping them up, mucking out stables, sweeping general cleaning.
• The daily care of the horses from, feeding and grooming, rugging to walking and handling horses, preparing them for their daily exercise routine; assisting with saddling, and helping with hosing horses and grooming them after they have worked.
Race day – preparing grooming, and travelling with the horse to the races. Horses need to be at the races at least 1 or 2 hours prior to their race time, and need to have an attendant with them.
• The strapper/attendant will help the racehorse trainer saddle up and then lead the horse into the mounting yard to present them prior to the jockeys mounting up and heading out to race. After the race the strapper helps hose and cool down the horse, and mange any instructions from officials.
• Accompanying horses on race day can lead to opportunities to travel in this role.
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Attire:
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Most stables will have outdoor areas, be mindful of weather for clothing, sunscreen, jacket or hat.
Footwear should be comfortable, sturdy with closed shoes for safety. Boots preferred.
High vis vests may be needed, and are often requirement of entering a racecourse. (most stable supply these)
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Mobile Phones:
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Each stable will have their own policy on phone use. Before taking any photos, please ask your employer for permission.
It is against the Local Rules of Racing to use your phone when leading or handling a horse.
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Smoking/Vaping:
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Please ask your employer for the stable rules.
Be mindful not to smoke/vape around other stable staff and around or leading a horse.
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Racing SA Industry Requirements:
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Stable Staff need to be registered with Racing SA as the governing/licencing body.
The requirements of this licence can be found on the Racing SA website, such as adhering to the Rules of Racing and providing a Police Clearance.
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Wages:
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A Pay Guide for casual and other wages can be found under the Horse and Greyhound Award here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages/minimum-wages/pay-guides
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Test
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Testing raw content
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