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Thoroughbred Breeding Careers
Careers in the Thoroughbred Breeding Industry
The Australian breeding sector is a world-leader, and our horses are recognised for their brilliance on the global stage. The Australian breeding industry is the biggest after America, meaning thoroughbreds make a huge contribution to the regional economy, supporting thousands of jobs directly, as well as many more in related areas such as horse transport, fencing, fodder and insurance.
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is committed to helping the industry find the next generation of workers and dedicates significant time and resources to finding enthusiastic people to take up roles on studs across the country.
If you have any questions or require more information on TBA or their education initiatives, please contact Maddy Tims at madison@tbaus.com or call 0405 535 436. TBA are always happy to meet with groups, students and individuals who are interested in learning more about the many career opportunities offered by the thoroughbred industry.
EDUCATION SURVEY
One of TBA’s priorities is to support those that are wanting to find a pathway into a career within the sector, which is why education, especially at school level is a big focus for the organisation.
We would be grateful for your time in completing the TBA survey which will help to work with schools to support students entering the thoroughbred industry.
If you have any further questions about the survey or require more information on TBA’s education initiatives, please contact Maddy Tims at madison@tbaus.com or call on 0405 535 436.
TBA LEARNING
TBA Learning is a new online education platform designed to allow everybody the opportunity to learn the basics of horse care from industry experts.
The platform – which is hosted at TBALearning.com – already has some 20 modules online, covering areas such as conformation, checking horse health, how to safely load a horse for transport, and how to hold a horse for a vet or farrier.
TBA Learning was developed after breeders told TBA there was nowhere to direct new staff to, where they could learn the foundational skills needed for work in the breeding industry.
More than 40 farms from across the country were consulted as part of the development of the site, with breeders giving their feedback on what subjects were important to be covered.
Importantly, all courses are available for free.
Each bite-sized module features video, audio, and written content, allowing students to learn in a way that suits them. The modules are expected to take between 15-30 minutes to complete. They can be undertaken individually, or can be tackled as a larger course, in which related modules are linked together. The current courses are Horse Health, Horse Handling and Biosecurity, as well as the Foundation course which includes all modules.
At the end of each module there is a test, with students receiving a certificate of completion when they successfully get to the end of a module. These certificates can then be presented to an employer.
To access the modules and courses, students need to complete a simple registration. This will then allow them to complete their studies in their own time.
This education project was assisted with a grant from the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Levy.
Among the experts sharing their knowledge are Mick Malone (Kitchwin Hills), Peter O’Brien (Segenhoe Stud), Kellie McCarthy (Mill Park Stud), Fiona Lacey (Mogumber Park), Cameron Bond (Kenmore Lodge), Angus McAlpine (Eureka Stud), Michelle Maidment (Coolmore), Barley Ward-Thomas (Godolphin) and Dave White (Vinery Stud).
While there are already 20 separate modules online, TBA plans for more to be developed in the future. Although the platform was designed for those in the thoroughbred industry anybody who wants to further their horse knowledge will be able to enroll in a course with TBA Learning.
THE FAST TRACK PROGRAM
Thoroughbred breeders Australia has launched the Fast Track program to create a pathway for talented horse people to enter our industry.
If you are passionate about horses, this is an incredible opportunity. You will be employed and mentored on a respected stud farm, gain a formal qualification, plus have the opportunity to learn from leaders in the global horse industry.
The 12-month program provides an accelerated introduction and learning experience that will help Fast Track graduates progress quickly in careers in the breeding industry.
Trainees will gain an unmatched introduction in all aspects of the thoroughbred industry, allowing them to kick-start a career that offers a world of possibilities.
This opportunity is aimed at anybody who has a passion for horses, no matter your equine background. If you enjoy an active lifestyle, working outdoors in a social and fast-paced environment, Fast Track could be the start of an exciting new career.
Register Your Interest for Fast Track 2024
Applications for the 2024 Fast Track program will open in January. Please use the link below to register your interest for the 2024 program and we will be in touch to let you know when applications are open.
Where Will Fast Track Lead Me
With breeding being such a significant rural industry, combined with its close relationship with racing, it means the opportunities to further a career are as many and varied as you can imagine.
There are numerous roles in the breeding and thoroughbred industry including: foaling attendant, yearling manager, stallion handler, vet nurse, stud logistics, bloodstock agent, and nominations manager.
Nearly everybody involved in the industry has done some time working hands-on with horses on a farm, even if they now have an office-based job. Fast Track is designed to give trainees an intensive learning experience that will set them up to succeed no matter which way they want to take their career.
Breeding is also a global industry that provides the opportunity to travel for those who are keen to spend time overseas.
Some thoroughbred breeding careers include:
Australia is home to some of the world’s most popular sires, some of which are worth tens of millions of dollars. As a stallion manager, you will supervise an exclusive team of grooms who are responsible for the day-to-day care of these animals to ensure they remain in peak physical and mental condition. During the official breeding season the stallion barn becomes a hive of activity and you will be responsible for overseeing the safe practice of covering mares.
FOALING ATTENDANT
Foaling managers are responsible for overseeing a farm’s foaling units. Some farms are capable of ‘foaling down’ in excess of 200 mares a season. Much like a midwife, this role involves caring from pregnant mares during their late pregnancy through to post foaling. You will also work closely with the stud veterinarians treating mares who may have difficult pregnancies and with any newborns that require extra are and attention.
YEARLING MANAGER
Each year, around 5,000 thoroughbred yearlings go under the hammer at public auction in Australia with many set to be future stars of the track. The role of yearling manager is to oversee is to oversee the development and management of these young horses in this vital stage of their life and ensure that they present in peak condition come sale time. Responsibilities include everything from tailoring daily exercise and feeding programs to teaching the yearlings how to parade for prospective buyers.
Equine vet nurses play an important role in all aspects of equine veterinary care. Primary responsibilities include assisting the stud veterinarian with surgeries and treatments; keeping accurate health and welfare records; overseeing quarantine and hygiene practices; managing vet related inventory and stores; and nursing horses in intensive care.
It takes a highly organised and skilled team of people in the office to manage the logistics and provide the administrational support for farms to run successfully. As stud secretary, you’ll oversee the daily running of the stud office and become the primary point of contact for booking mares into stallions for service. You’ll work closely with the stud manager and be responsible for keeping veterinary records up to date, tracking paddock movements and organising transport. You may also be asked to control accounts and communications.
Farms that stand stallions will have a ‘nominations team’. In this role you will work to attract breeders to support your farm’s stallions with their mares and help them plan the most suitable matings to produce offspring that will fetch a high sale price at auction and hopefully go on to perform well on the racetrack. This is a job that involves a lot of social interaction and require you to attend all major bloodstock sales and race meetings.
Bloodstock agents are experts in physical conformation and pedigree analysis. They work as consultants available for hire who specialise in everything from selecting weanlings, yearlings and mares to purchase on behalf of owners, to managing people’s breeding portfolios and racehorses. Bloodstock agents not only attend sales all over Australia, but often get the opportunity to travel internationally too.
Click the link below to find out more about the amazing career opportunities in the thoroughbred industry and other training options.
NEXT CROP
Meet. Grow. Lead.
TBA Next Crop is a new group for young people in the industry.
The group has been created with the aim of providing those aged 36 and under the chance to network with their peers in the industry, as well as the opportunity to continue their professional development and education.
Entry is open to anyone who has an interest in breeding and provides access to several exclusive events.
TBA Next Crop offers participants the chance to create a network where young people who are already in the industry, or those who may be interested in taking part, can meet.
There are three key themes to Next Crop: meet, grow and lead. The group is a forum for like-minded young people to meet and develop their networks; to access learning and training opportunities so they feel they are continuing their own personal development, and also to have input on the future of the thoroughbred industry through this group.
TBA aims to have a chapter of Next Crop in each state, which will then feed into a national leadership committee.
Membership is free.
