Core Racing Officials

Racing Official Roster

Patrons of horse racing who want to begin a career in horse racing should know that not all racecourses have the same career options. The front-side operations offer a variety of positions to support finance, food & beverage, human resources, marketing, and security. Likewise, the back-side operations have numerous vocations to facilitate and maintain the racing itself.

The list of horse racing officials from track to track is very similar as a core set of jobs is mandated by the racecourse’s regulators. For example, in North American racing the enabling legislation requires the staffing of specific positions in order to conduct horse racing.

The ASSOCIATION OF RACING COMMISSIONERS INTERNATIONAL

In the words of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI), “The ARCI “Model Rules” of racing and wagering are recognized worldwide as a standard for the independent and impartial regulation of horse and greyhound racing as well as the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering.

“In some racing jurisdictions, the Model Rules have the force of law as they have been adopted by reference statutorily or through a regulatory rulemaking.   In others, they form the basis upon which rules are written ensuring substantial uniformity in the regulation of the sport.”

As a result of the racing commission adopting similar rules and regulations to guarantee uniformity, there is a core racing official roster for flat racing with their duties and responsibilities as defined in Chapter 6 of the Model Rules. ARCI-006-010 prescribes the following positions.

Officials at a race meeting include the following: 

(1)       stewards; 

(2)       racing secretary; 

(3)       horsemen's bookkeeper; 

(4)       paddock judge; 

(5)       horse identifier; 

(6)       clerk of scales; 

(7)       jockey room custodian; 

(8)       starter;  

(9)       timer/clocker; 

(10)   patrol judge, absent video replay equipment; 

(11)   placing judge, if duty not performed by stewards; 

(12)   official veterinarian; 

(13)   racing veterinarian; 

(14)   association-employed veterinarian; 

(15)   outriders; 

(16)   any other person designated by the Regulatory Authority. 

While some tracks might have network administrators, valet parking attendants, and pastry chefs, they are just as likely not to have one or more of those positions. Those aspiring to work in horse racing as an official can be confident that these fifteen jobs are in demand at many if not all racecourses.

The model rules go on to describe the responsibility of each of these mandated roles. For example, the track farrier requirements are below. The model rules outline the minimum expectation of these roles. Additional responsibilities may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and employer to employer.

ARCI-006-076 Horseshoe Inspector 

The horseshoe inspector shall:  

(1)       Inspect the horseshoes of each horse prior to the race; 

(2)       Maintain a record of the type of horseshoes worn by each horse in each race, or if the horse is racing unshod; 

(3)       Report immediately to the stewards and paddock judge any horse with prohibited horseshoes under ARCI-010-030(27): 

(4)       With the approval of the stewards, have the authority to order adjustments and corrections in horseshoes by a licensed farrier of any horse as he/she may deem necessary; and, 

(5)       Maintain a list of horseshoe types approved by the stewards and racetrack management. 

Lesser Known and Unsung Jobs

For those interested in starting a career in horse racing, you may want to be a jockey, a trainer, or even a racing official. A diversity of employment options exists in the field. Learning about ‘lesser known jobs’ has just become easier. America's Best Racing has created a video series highlighting these less common professions. This week’s edition has Tiffany Bourque, Keeneland’s assistant racing secretary, describing the role of the claims clerk.

Another great video resource to learn about the unsung jobs in racing (Horse Grooms, Exercise Riders, Jockeys, Hot Walkers, Trainers, Assist Trainers) is The Real Players Inside The Backstretch YouTube channel. One can learn more about the passion of the 'real backstretch' workers on their unique Twitter feed.

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Highlighted Opportunities

The jobs listed under Highlighted Opportunities will be those sent directly to me by the employer (listed chronologically by posted date). For those hiring who want their positions included in the newsletter, please email me, ovals at yahoo dot com, with “StandingStart Jobs” in the subject field.

• Employer: Maryland Jockey Club

  • Opportunity: Van Driver

  • Source: Maryland Jockey Club

  • Posted: 2022-11-01

  • Description: Van Driver needed with CDL license. Must be able to drive tractor Trailer for the MJC shuttle between Pimlico and Laurel on race days. Good salary, benefits, vacation, and sick pay. This is year-round employment in Maryland.  Contact: hr@marylandjockeyclub.com 

• Employer: Maryland Jockey Club

  • Opportunity: Paddock Blacksmith

  • Source: Maryland Jockey Club

  • Posted: 2022-11-01

  • Description: Paddock Blacksmith – Blacksmith in the paddock on race days. Must be able to put a shoe on a horse in a timely fashion. Good Pay. Year-round employment in Maryland. Contact: hr@marylandjockeyclub.com 

• Employer: Charles Town

  • 3 Opportunities: Equipment Operator/Groundskeeper, Mutuel Teller, or Racing Official

  • Source: Penn Entertainment

  • Posted: 2022-11-01

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: Mahoning Valley

  • 6 Opportunities: Assistant Stall Superintendent, Assistant Starter, Mutuel Teller, Outriders, Test Barn Tech, or Track Personel

  • Source: Penn Entertainment

  • Posted: 2022-11-01

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: Penn National

  • 5 Opportunities: Assistant Starter, Clocker, Lead Mutuel, Racing Gap Attendant, or Shift Manager of Racing Services

  • Source: Penn Entertainment

  • Posted: 2022-11-01

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: Zia Park

  • 8 Opportunities: Assistant Starter/Racing Valet, Mutuel Teller, Paramedic or Registered Nurse, Racing EMT, Racing Facilities Worker, Racing Housekeeping, Racing Security, or Track Maintenance

  • Source: Penn Entertainment

  • Posted: 2022-11-01

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: Prairie Meadows

  • Opportunity: Human Resources - Loss Prevention Manager

  • Source: Prairie Meadows

  • Posted: 2022-10-28

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: Prairie Meadows

  • Opportunity: Grandstand Maintenance - Carpenter

  • Source: Prairie Meadows

  • Posted: 2022-10-26

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: Prairie Meadows

  • Opportunity: Racing Office - Manager

  • Source: Prairie Meadows

  • Posted: 2022-10-21

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: NYRA

  • Opportunity: Manager, Social Media

  • Source: NYRA

  • Posted: 2022-10-07

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: NYRA

  • Opportunity: Gap Attendant

  • Source: NYRA

  • Posted: 2022-10-07

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: NYRA

  • Opportunity: Veterinary Department Administrator

  • Source: NYRA

  • Posted: 2022-09-21

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: NYRA

  • Opportunity: Marketing Coordinator, NYRA Bets

  • Source: NYRA

  • Posted: 2022-09-15

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: NYRA

  • Opportunity: Associate General Counsel

  • Source: NYRA

  • Posted: 2022-09-15

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: NYRA

  • Opportunity: Administrative Assistant, PT (Saratoga)

  • Source: NYRA

  • Posted: 2022-09-14

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: NYRA

  • Opportunity: Safety Steward

  • Source: NYRA

  • Posted: 2022-08-14

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: NYRA

  • Opportunity: Track Supervisor

  • Source: NYRA

  • Posted: 2022-07-25

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: NYRA

  • Opportunity: Human Resources Business Partner

  • Source: NYRA

  • Posted: 2022-07-21

  • Description: Company Job Posting

• Employer: NYRA

  • Opportunity: CRM Manager

  • Source: NYRA

  • Posted: 2022-04-11

  • Description: Company Job Posting

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Opportunities

The Opportunities section is a curated listing of positions harvested from the internet.

• Employer: Lone Star Park

  • Opportunity: Track Maintenance (General Laborer)

  • Source: Stateline

  • Posted: 2022-10-31

  • Description: Stateline Job Posting

• Employer: Evangeline Downs

  • Opportunity: Outrider

  • Source: Indeed

  • Posted: 2022-10-27

  • Description: Indeed Job Posting

• Employer: AmTote International, Inc.

  • Opportunity: Presentation Designer

  • Source: Indeed

  • Posted: 2022-10-25

  • Description: Indeed Job Posting

• Employer: Cherie Devaux Racing Inc

  • Opportunity: Thoroughbred Racehorse Groom

  • Source: Seasonal Jobs - Dept. of Labor

  • Posted: 2022-10-01

  • Description: Dept. of Labor Job Posting

• Employer: Leonard Racing Stables LLC

  • Opportunity: Thoroughbred Racehorse Groom

  • Source: Seasonal Jobs - Dept. of Labor

  • Posted: 2022-10-01

  • Description: Dept. of Labor Job Posting