How Do I Get A Job At A RaceTrack?

Question

How would i get a job, such as a groom or as a out rider at a horse racing track? I am looking for a part time job.

Answer 1

If you are in the U.S. you go to the stable gate and the guard at the gate will announce over a loud speaker that there is someone looking for a grooms job or hot walker. Whatever trainer needs help will come to the gate and sign you in for the day and if he feels that you can help him he will put you on his badge list and then you can apply for a license, the track security will do a background check on you, and if all is well you will receive a groom or hot walker license and then from there in time you can seek other jobs. But usually an outriders is hard to get, because simply put there are 2 outriders at every track with one sub in case of sickness etc. and the job does not come open very often.

Also most grooms work full time, but there is room for part time grooms, such as a swing groom, you will take care a regular grooms horses on his day off. Most grooms will take care of the same horses in a particular stable with very little changes to the routine and years ago most race trackers worked 7 days a week, but lately esp. in the bigger outfits the grooms get a day and a half off per week and so there is room for an extra part timer, such as yourself. (esp. at the larger tracks)

The morning starts early around 5 a.m.  and you are usually done(in the morn) after feeding between 10 and 11 a. m. and then when racing starts post time for the first race is around 1:00 p.m. and you might be asked to work some of the busy afternoons. It is particular to the trainer how many horses are entered that day.

It is not an easy job though, it is not so lucrative, you have to really either love to be around horses or like the action, but if you are sharp and get good around race horses, there is a ladder to climb and the sky is the limit. good luck, its a funky lifestyle.

Oh you should state where you live, cause if it is over in England or Europe some one else will have to help you, it is  done differently there. It is even a bit different from state to state, and I would have been able to help you more in a particular state.(I have raced in many different states)had I known.

Answer 2

Like the first poster said here in the U.S.  just go to the stable gate at any track and track security will make an announcement over the PA that there is an groom or hot walker looking for work.  Those are the easiest jobs to get into because there is usually a high demand for them.  Hot walkers work just in the mornings during training hours.   Grooms are usually full time (7 days a week).  Though you might be able to get on with a stable as swing groom that works in place of other grooms so they can have a day off.  Some of the smaller stables might sometimes hire grooms that just come in to help get horses out during training hours.  These trainers are ones that do their own galloping, ponying, etc. to cut cost of hiring exercise riders, pony people, etc.  Out riding jobs are full-time positions.  The outriders work during training hours and during the races.