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There are around 550 studs in Great Britain, providing thoroughbred horses to buyers all over the world. If you want to work with horses, but aren’t necessarily interested in riding, this could be the sector for you. Imagine how it feels to be part of creating a famous winner. Just click on a role title to find out more. They’re listed here in order of seniority – so if you look through them all, you can see how your career could progress on a stud farm. Stud Hand Stallion Handler Assistant Stud Groom Stud Groom Stud Manager Bloodstock Agent Sales Company roles Stud Hand The Job: You’ll be in charge of taking care of a number of very valuable thoroughbred mares and their foals. It’s hard work. As well as grooming and exercising the horses, you’ll muck out the stables. You’ll also help handle the horse during breeding, and when she’s being seen by the vet or the Farrier. What’s more, you’ll also present the horse in her very best light to owners and prospective buyers, both at the yard and at bloodstock sales. The Person: It’s hard, physical work, with long hours – particularly during the breeding season when you may have to work six or seven days a week. So you need to be dedicated. A patient person who loves horses, you’ll take real pride in your work, gaining real satisfaction from taking superb care of a very valuable animal. Entry Requirements: You won’t need any formal qualifications, but some experience of handling thoroughbreds or caring for horses would be very useful. The Benefits: An outdoor lifestyle and great job satisfaction. Accommodation may be provided as part of your package. Find out more: Click here to find out about Entry Level Training. You can also apply for work directly to studs. Contact The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association for a list of stud addresses, or look them up in ‘The Directory of the Turf’. Trainee Stud Hand roles are also advertised in the ‘Racing Post’ and magazines like ‘Horse and Hound’ and ‘Pacemaker’. 5 Back to top Stallion Handler The Job: This is a specialised role working at Public Studs handling Stallions. It’s very physical work, both when you’re looking after the welfare of the horse, and when you’re handling the Stallion during the breeding process. The Person: You’ll need to be fit and physically very strong in order to handle the Stallions easily. Calm and dedicated, you’ll be willing to work seven days a week during the breeding season. Entry Requirements: You’ll generally need considerable experience as a Stud Hand to take on this role. In addition, many Stallion Handlers have also proved their dedication and ability working as an assistant in a stallion unit. The Benefits: An outdoor lifestyle and great job satisfaction. Accommodation may be provided as part of your package. Find out more: Click here to find out more about training. You can apply for work directly to studs. Contact The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association for a list of stud addresses, or look them up in ‘The Directory of the Turf’. 5 Back to top Assistant Stud Groom The Job: Working directly under the Stud Groom, you’ll help ensure that the Stud runs efficiently day in, day out. What’s more, you’ll take the helm in the Stud Groom’s absence. From passing on your expertise to the Stud Hands to helping with everything from care of the horses to breeding activities, you’ll play an essential role in the success of the stud. The Person: Patient and calm, you love horses and are dedicated to caring for them to the highest standards. You’re also very organised, and have the management skills to organise others. Finally, you’ve got plenty of initiative, plus the confidence and common sense to make decisions when the Stud Groom is absent. Entry Requirements: You’ll need to have gained considerable experience as a Stud Hand and a Stallion Handler. The Benefits: An outdoor lifestyle and great job satisfaction. Accommodation may be provided as part of the package. Find out more: Click here to find out more about training. You can apply for work directly to studs. Contact The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association for a list of stud addresses, or look them up in ‘The Directory of the Turf’. 5 Back to top Stud Groom The Job: In this senior role, you’ll be second in command to the Stud Manager. You’ll take responsibility for everything from the care and welfare of the horses to breeding activities and the training of Stud Hands. From keeping owners in the loop, to managing staff and liaising with Farriers and Vets, you’ll play a vital role in the smooth running of the Stud. The Person: You’ll need to be passionate about horses, great at managing a team, organised, responsible and dedicated. Entry Requirements: You’ll need an in-depth knowledge of horses, the breeding industry and pasture management, as well as being familiar with the very latest breeding associated technology. A qualification such as a Diploma in Stud and Stable Husbandry, or an NVQ Level 3 in Racehorse Care and Management (Breeding Option) will give you much of the extra knowledge you need. Of course, Stud experience is also essential. The Benefits: An outdoor lifestyle and great job satisfaction. Accommodation may be provided as part of your package. Find out more: Click here to find out more about training. You can apply for work directly to studs. Contact The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association for a list of stud addresses, or look them up in ‘The Directory of the Turf’. 5 Back to top Stud Manager The Job: In this largely office-based role, you’ll have ultimate responsibility for the Stud, from the well-being of the horses to the marketing and promotion of the business. Whether you're liaising with owners to ensure a healthy cash flow, selecting new horses or taking managerial responsibility for everyone at the Stud, it’s a varied and absorbing role. The Person: You’ll need to be a leader, sales person, negotiator, businessman and bloodstock expert all rolled into one. Entry Requirements: Opportunities are limited. Each Stud Farm has only one Manager, often the Owner. Years of experience and expertise in the Stud industry are essential, along with the ability to oversee accounts and a talent for marketing. The Benefits: An outdoor lifestyle and great job satisfaction. Accommodation may be provided as part of your package. Find out more: Click here to find out more about training. You can apply for work directly to studs. Contact The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association for a list of stud addresses, or look them up in ‘The Directory of the Turf’. 5 Back to top Bloodstock Agent The Job: Working on behalf of owners or trainers, you’ll buy horses for breeding, both privately and at public sales. Many agents also provide other services to owners, from managing horse transportation and insurance, to arranging breeding. Selling shares and nominations in the horses is also common. The Person: Most Agents are self-employed and work on commission, so you’ll need to be full of initiative, a good negotiator and a great networker. As you may be travelling throughout Britain and beyond to buy horses, you should like travel. You should also be prepared to work very long hours, particularly during the hectic domestic sales season, from July to December. Entry Requirements: No formal qualifications are required, but a thorough knowledge of horses in general and pedigrees and bloodlines in particular is vital. The necessary experience can be gained by working as an Assistant Trainer, or on studs in the UK and abroad. The Benefits: A varied lifestyle with travel in the UK and overseas. Salary will be dependent on seniority. Find out more: Some of the larger bloodstock agencies employ Agents. You can find contact details in ‘The Directory of the Turf’, or get them from The Federation of Bloodstock Agents, 9 Paddocks Drive, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 9BT. Sales Company Roles The Job: Sales Companies that specialise in the sale of Thoroughbreds need a range of PR and marketing experts, who develop a real buzz around the sale of a horse. The companies also need Auctioneer/Inspectors to both grade and then sell the horses. The Person: For the PR and Marketing roles, you’ll need to be credible, persuasive and articulate. An Auctioneer has a natural talent for judging horses, real salesmanship, attention to detail and a great deal of personal presence. Entry Requirements: You’ll need PR or Marketing experience for the generalist sales roles, plus a good knowledge of the Thoroughbred market. An Auctioneer needs to have a huge wealth of knowledge about horses, both from a practical and pedigree point of view. That’s why experience both in training yards and in studs is recommended before approaching sales companies regarding this position. The Benefits: A varied lifestyle with travel in the UK and overseas. Salary will be dependent on job role. Find out more: You can approach bloodstock sales companies direct. You’ll find details in ‘The Directory of the Turf’, or get them from The Federation of Bloodstock Agents, 9 Paddocks Drive, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 9BT.