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Become A Track Rider

About

A Track Rider works closely with horses to monitor and maintain their health. This involves exercising them and providing updates to their trainers.

A Day In The Life Of A Track Rider

  • pathways
    Certificate III in Racing (Track Rider).

    • pathways

      Certificate III in Racing (Track Rider).
  • profile
    Thomas Johnston

    About Me:
    I was born and raised on the Gold Coast in a family with little to do with racing. My father would attend every race meeting at the Gold Coast Turf Club religiously though, so when I turned 13 I decided I would go along and see what it was all about. By the time I left the track that day I had decided I wanted to be a jockey. I was lucky enough to be introduced to a local trainer by a family friend and some work experience was lined up. I started working on the ground, as I knew next to nothing about horses and what it takes to look after a horse. As time went by and my skills increased, I started riding horses in track work.

    Unfortunately, I grew too tall and got too heavy to be a jockey, so after four years working on the Gold Coast I decided to move to Melbourne to further improve my skills and learn more about the Industry. I am riding track work and trials at Flemington which I wouldn’t have imagined possible, but in this industry the more effort you put in the more you’ll achieve.
    About The Job:

    I wake up at 3:30am, six days a week to arrive at work at 4am. In a normal morning, I will ride anywhere between four and 10 horses, whether it be trotting, cantering or a gallop.
    Once I have worked a horse it is important for me to report back to the trainer how the horse went and how it felt. The things I have to be aware of are a horse’s action, its breathing and its all-around behaviour.

    Once I arrive back at the stables on the horse after its workout I jump off and unsaddle it. I am usually finished work by around 8am which is quite good, as I have the rest of the day to study, work another job or just chill out.

    • profile

      Thomas Johnston

      About Me:
      I was born and raised on the Gold Coast in a family with little to do with racing. My father would attend every race meeting at the Gold Coast Turf Club religiously though, so when I turned 13 I decided I would go along and see what it was all about. By the time I left the track that day I had decided I wanted to be a jockey. I was lucky enough to be introduced to a local trainer by a family friend and some work experience was lined up. I started working on the ground, as I knew next to nothing about horses and what it takes to look after a horse. As time went by and my skills increased, I started riding horses in track work.

      Unfortunately, I grew too tall and got too heavy to be a jockey, so after four years working on the Gold Coast I decided to move to Melbourne to further improve my skills and learn more about the Industry. I am riding track work and trials at Flemington which I wouldn’t have imagined possible, but in this industry the more effort you put in the more you’ll achieve.
      About The Job:

      I wake up at 3:30am, six days a week to arrive at work at 4am. In a normal morning, I will ride anywhere between four and 10 horses, whether it be trotting, cantering or a gallop.
      Once I have worked a horse it is important for me to report back to the trainer how the horse went and how it felt. The things I have to be aware of are a horse’s action, its breathing and its all-around behaviour.

      Once I arrive back at the stables on the horse after its workout I jump off and unsaddle it. I am usually finished work by around 8am which is quite good, as I have the rest of the day to study, work another job or just chill out.