Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Working Life

    Main Duties

• Assist the trainer in assessing a horse's ability, planning Race entries, completing racing documentation;
• Assist with scheduling of health care and maintenance appointments for the horses;
• Assist with oveseeing the stablestaff team, their recruitment, training and development;
• Acting as the trainers representative on Race days when required, saddling, passing on jockey instructions, communicating with owners and handling general public relations activities;
• Networking and building relationships with industry professionals;
• Maintain relationships with partners, vendors and suppliers;
• Maintain an awareness of national & international racing industry trends and demands;

Physical Environment

The role is mainly outdoors based as primary duties include training and exercising horses on the gallops and overseeing the work of the stable staff team in the yard.

Employers

Racing yard.

Industry Summary

Racehorse Training

Ireland is one of the world's leading centres for thoroughbred racehorse training, with approximately 600 active training yards/licence holders (392 licensed trainers + 208 restricted trainers) at the end of 2025.

While major training centres such as The Curragh remain internationally recognised hubs of excellence, training yards are located nationwide, supporting employment and economic activity in rural communities. The sector forms a key component of Ireland's thoroughbred breeding and racing industry, which generates €2.46 billion in economic activity and supports over 30,000 jobs, according to the latest Deloitte study commissioned by Horse Racing Ireland. 

Source: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) Licensing Statistics, 2025/2026; Horse Racing Ireland (HRI).

Click on the equuip brochure for more details on careers in the Irish Horse Racing & Breeding Industry.

Click here to view the HRI Employment Guide for the Horse Breeding & Racing Sectors    

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Cue or signal animals during performances.
• Talk to or interact with animals to familiarise them to human voices or contact.
• Conduct training programmes to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
• Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
• Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
• Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
• Administer prescribed medications to animals.
• Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
• Evaluate animals for trainability and ability to perform.
• Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.

Further Information

• Fiona Dowling - Head Girl Jamie Osbourne Racing- from: Horse Racing Ireland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Assistant trainers typically have excellent horsemanship skills and considerable experience working for trainers and in stables before setting up their own establishment. Experience with young horses is essential.

Education 

Many new entrants to the industry have a bachelors' degree in business studies or Equine Science (Course Code: LM093) or Animal Science - Equine (Course Code: DN250). Other relevant qualifications include: Level 5 Horsemanship (Course Code: 5M3371); Irish National Stud's Breeding Course.

Post graduate opportunities include Godolphin Flying Start - www.godolphinflyingstart.com;
CPD: The Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (I.R.T.A.) and Irish Thoroughbred Breeder Association (I.T.B.A.) provides members with the opportunity to continue their professional development through a calendar of training and seminar activities on an ongoing basis. Part time supervisory management / leadership and management training courses, both online and classroom based are available through various education providers throughout the country, see fetchcourses.ie     for further information.

View equuip   for more details on equine education and equine educational providers.

View the equuip career profile for this career here.

Useful links 

• Equuip     horse racing education & training
• Horse Racing Ireland Equuip careers     
  
• HRI Racing Statistics    
• Teagasc     offers courses of relevance to careers in the Equine industry
• Irish National Stud Breeding Course    
• The Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (I.R.T.A.)     provides members with the opportunity to continue their professional development through a calendar of training and seminar activates on an ongoing basis.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: animal care, groupwork and facilitation, equestrian international instructor, BHSAI, management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: equestrian studies, equine, horsemanship, sports horse riding, horsemanship and equine business, equine breeding, therapeutic riding coach.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Sales, Stud Farm Assistant Manager Apprenticeship.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: equine science, equine business, animal science.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: sales, business, management, equine sports medicine.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Equine Courses 

CAFRE

- BSc (Hons) Degree in Equine Management
- Foundation Degree in Equine Management
- Certificate of Higher Education in Equine Science & Management
- Equine Management (Level 3)
- Equine Care (Level 2)
- Farriery Upskilling Programme
- Apprenticeship in the Equine Industry (Level 2 & 3)
- Award in Horse Handling & Behaviour in Equine Assisted Therapies
- Horse Care Certificate (Level 2 & 3)

Kildalton Agricultural College
- Horsemanship / Equitation Programme
- Horsemanship / Stud Management Programme

Irish National Stud
- Thoroughbred Breeding Management

Godolphin Flying Start
- Thoroughbred Industry Leadership Programme

Dunboyne College
- Horsemanship and Equine Business
- Advanced Certificate / Level 6 in Equine Business

Gurteen College
- Level 5 Certificate in Stud Management
- Level 5 Certificate in Horsemanship/Equitation

Farriery Ireland
- Introduction to Equine Healthcare
- SOLAS Apprenticeship QQI Advanced Certificate in Craft - Farriery

Racing Academy & Centre of Education
- See available courses here    

University College Dublin
- Animal Science - Equine (Level 8)

University of Limerick
- Equine Science (Level 8)

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €42k

Generally, the amount of pay you receive for working is a matter of agreement between you and your employer, these negotiations normally occur when you receive a job offer.  The racing industry have an agreed minimum rate of pay as well as other minimum conditions of employment for Irish stable staff including entitlements to sick pay and stable employee bonus scheme.  The agreement does not prohibit an employer from paying more favourable terms. Further information is available from the Irish Stable Staff Association at website: www.issa.ie.

Data Source(s):
Glassdoor/ Equuip/ ISSA / Indeed

Last Updated: March, 2024

Horse Racing Ireland: Social & Economic impacts report 2023

The Irish Breeding and Racing industry supports 30,350 full time equivalent (FTE) staff in total. This includes 9,400 jobs directly related to the industry. Over 40% of these (c.3,950 FTEs) work in breeding operations, closely followed by c.3,000 FTE stable-staff, trainers and point-topoint handlers (c.800), caterers (c.350), jockeys, agents and valets (c.300) and racecourse staff (c.300). A further c.7,000 jobs are attributable to directly related employment. This includes individuals in equine-related roles like veterinarians and farriers, as well as those working in related agricultural, and leisure roles. Total non-betting employment was 24,800 in 2022, up c.8% when compared to the 22,900 supported by the industry in 2016.

Secondary employment is estimated to total c.8,400 and includes roles that are supported by further spending in the Irish economy (the ‘ripple effect’). This supports jobs in the likes of the travel and accommodation sectors and the bar and restaurant trade. Furthermore, the betting sector in Ireland is intrinsically linked to Irish racing, and many fewer individuals would be employed should racing cease to exist.

The sector is estimated to employ c.5,550 FTEs, across individuals working in LBOs and the Head Offices of betting operators.Given that Ireland has a large proportion of its population residing in rural communities, agriculture holds a high level of significance, with the Breeding and Racing industry being a significant  contributor to agricultural employment. It also supports jobs in farriery, horse transport and veterinary/equine health.

Directly related employment relates to those jobs that whilst being heavily reliant on the Breeding and Racing industry, also serve other industry sectors and sub-sectors. These can include equine-related roles such as veterinarians and farriers, as well as roles in agriculture, leisure, and hospitality. This is estimated to total c.7,000 in 2022.

View the equuip brochure here for more details on careers in the Irish Horse Racing & Breeding Industry.

Jobs Board
The www.workinracing.ie website includes a Jobs Board with live opportunities available within the breeding, racing and administration sectors.

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Horticultural trades, Gardeners and landscape gardeners, Groundsmen and greenkeepers, Skilled workers in horse racing and related industries, Agricultural and fishing trades n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Employment growth was below average for this occupation, with little growth between 2023 and 2024. Almost half were employed in the administrative services sector with the remainder primarily employed in agriculture and other NACE sectors.

A relatively high share (37%) of persons employed in this occupation were employed part-time. This occupation also had a high share employed who were aged 55 years and older which will likely lead to higher replacement demand in the coming years and job opportunities even in the absence of employment growth.

Coillte’s commitment to promoting the use of wood products to facilitate an increase in the level of timber-framed homes from 20% to 80% by 2050 has the potential to lead to increased demand for skilled workers in the forestry and wood processing sector, although likely to be small in number.

• Careers & Racing Education (CARE)

  • Horse Racing Ireland Ballymany, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, Ireland, R56 XE37
  • (045) 455 455
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE)

  • Curragh House, Dublin Road, Kildare
  • +353 (0)45 522 468
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here