Real life issues for TrainersWest Australian Racing

DamienWyer

https://asianracingreport.com/comment-prizemoney-has-never-been-better-but-who-will-work-the-horses/?fbclid=IwAR1doxmSMmECZWumWgMcfO5j-XDa93X5Uumzy0JfPBhu_CQ-L_o7A87u-F8

Skilled staff shortages are hurting on the East Coast.

Tivers

On the East Coast ?

Workers Comp premiums also a rising (pardon the pun) issue.

Seen renewals of late anywhere in the range of 11% (lowest) up to 20% of wages cost !

hash

Just about every major stable in WA are advertising looking to hire staff, pretty sad and frustrating time to be an owner in the industry

Vincent_vega

Can i ask, what does a ground staff/stable hand earn per hour?

What does a track work rider earn per hour (or is it per ride?)

hash

Vincent_vega said:

Can i ask, what does a ground staff/stable hand earn per hour?

What does a track work rider earn per hour (or is it per ride?)

This might help

https://awardviewer.fwo.gov.au/award/downloadsummary/G0088061

hash

.

hash

Vincent_vega said:

Can i ask, what does a ground staff/stable hand earn per hour?

What does a track work rider earn per hour (or is it per ride?)

ground staff on average take home $500-$800 a week but depends what stable, bigger stables tend to pay more or have more hours available and generally have better horses and get the results to keep their staff around

As for track work riders although some jocks will ride for a stable hoping or preferring it leads to race rides but most cases it doesn’t and they’re paid $20 a ride

DamienWyer

Which faculty offers courses to become a Stablehand in WA ? Same for Stable Foreman and Trainer.Are there Tech courses or TAFE maybe or is it a under graduate University degree ?

Vincent_vega

6 hours a day at casual rate of $25 per hour = $750 for mon to friday.

If you are lucky enough to get sunday hours, take 4 of those for an extra $200 a week.

Total = $950 gross so net $760 odd
(Forgive me if my calcs are wrong im not an accountant).

Would i brave the early mornings and risk of injury from an uneducated 2yo horse for that sum of money? Looking thru the eyes of an emplyee, probably not, its a borderline call. Plenty of other things to do, safer jobs for same or more money. I used to get paid $200 a day as a plasterers labourer 15 years ago, that rate would have gone up now. Only danger was the tricks the boss would play on you.

I also understand the cost to the business is considerably more than just the $25 per hour considering insurances and the like

hash

Some of the kids have little to no choice though, they’re either brought up in a racing family or from similar background and it’s all they know. Crap pay and horrible hours may be the reason for lack of staff and if so pay these people what they're worth because without them everyone misses out and the poor owners are getting shafted missing out on a service they’re being charged top dollar for

savethegame

Mandatory Allocation of prizemoney under the rules of racing..

   --- Trainer   Victoria   9.8%    Nsw   9.9%

        Jockey     Vic.       4.9%    Nsw   4.95%

  Stablehand    Vic          nil.        Nsw  1.5%

Jockey insuran.Vic         1%      Nsw    1%

Animal Welfare  Vic.       1%      Nsw     1%

        Owner shares  Vic 83.3%  Nsw   81.65%   

 that was 2017.------see stablehand's were getting something . nsw. back then.

silky

Probably over looking things here but do the trainer and jockey need a % of the winnings since they get paid for their services??

savethegame

Ask  J.J. Miller  he would say i ride alright  for 1k. but I ride alot better for 2k. Its a must.;;; Be  no  barrelng for a run when theres  not  lots to play for.

hash

silky said:

Probably over looking things here but do the trainer and jockey need a % of the winnings since they get paid for their services??

They’re rewarded for their services and ability when successful but when they make a mistake or a responsible for something they costs them victory they aren’t penalised… so to level the playing field and answer your question I’d say no

SLIPPERGOLDEN

UK situation. Cut 300 races a year suggested but leading trainer wants to cut 300 meetings

https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/id-cut-300-meetings-not-races-haggas-says-racecourses-need-to-take-action/572228

Tivers

Vincent_vega said:

6 hours a day at casual rate of $25 per hour = $750 for mon to friday.

If you are lucky enough to get sunday hours, take 4 of those for an extra $200 a week.

Total = $950 gross so net $760 odd
(Forgive me if my calcs are wrong im not an accountant).

Would i brave the early mornings and risk of injury from an uneducated 2yo horse for that sum of money? Looking thru the eyes of an emplyee, probably not, its a borderline call. Plenty of other things to do, safer jobs for same or more money. I used to get paid $200 a day as a plasterers labourer 15 years ago, that rate would have gone up now. Only danger was the tricks the boss would play on you.

I also understand the cost to the business is considerably more than just the $25 per hour considering insurances and the like

6Hrs a day is only 30 Hrs a week.

38 Hrs is full time, and rate is more like $30 than $25.

Most should be doing say 42-45 hours (easy to rack up a big day with races or trials) and those additonal hours would be paid at time and a half.

If doing Sunday hours then that's double time (is actually hard to get staff to do Sundays though - I'm with you, I'd be all over it for double pay).

Do get some staff who specialise in that though (eg students, who just work sundays for spending money).

Then super at 10.5% and workers comp anything up to 20% on top yes.

Vincent_vega

what im noticing with the discussion is its a niche industry, you either have it in your blood or you don't. Most people wouldn't even know this is a legitimate career choice. Cant really say i have heard anyone marketing about a job in the racing industry maybe rwwa need to take this up, see marketing for warehouse workers and courier drivers all the time.

spinking

Warehouse workers and couriers generally don’t get wet kicked bitten striked or charged though. Pretty hard to attract people to this industry if not born into as mentioned or have a love of the horse. Not to mention the hours

Tivers

Definitely.

You've got to want to do it as your primary driver.