Job Opportunities in the Horse Racing world?

[FlyinLate]

I will be graduating from college this semester. I will have completed my bachelors with a major in political science and a business minor. Horse Racing has always been my hobby and I would love nothing more to work in the horse racing industry wether it be for NTRA, a local track, etc. I was wondering what job opportunities, in my field, might be offered to someone. I was thinking of looking into possibly getting my masters and becoming a lobbyist for wagering, purses, state support, etc...but doesn't seem like there is alot of "spots" open in the industry, especially with its current state. This is just for me to gauge interest, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[srdnaty]

Originally Posted by FlyinLate

I will be graduating from college this semester. I will have completed my bachelors with a major in political science and a business minor. Horse Racing has always been my hobby and I would love nothing more to work in the horse racing industry wether it be for NTRA, a local track, etc. I was wondering what job opportunities, in my field, might be offered to someone. I was thinking of looking into possibly getting my masters and becoming a lobbyist for wagering, purses, state support, etc...but doesn't seem like there is alot of "spots" open in the industry, especially with its current state. This is just for me to gauge interest, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I'm currently a grad student and I've been wondering the same thing.

[FlyinLate]

Originally Posted by srdnaty

I'm currently a grad student and I've been wondering the same thing.

Let's hope for some helpful replies then.

[gIracing]

i've beenseriusly considering applying for the equine science school down in arizona.. i'm just 24 and I really want to get in the horse racing field....I make goo dmoney but it's not what I want to do.. want to do something with horses.

[gillenr]

Unfortunately, the long term prospects for the T'bred racing industry are not bright. Magna & CDI are being run for stock price appreciation - not the customers, NYRA is an unknown quantity being abused by the politicians, and the little guys are the little guys.
Having said that, I wish I was your age so I could get with a place like Keeneland, Del Mar or even Tampa.
Good luck!
P.S. One of the AZ schools has a mgmt program aimed at racing.

[BillW]

The auction arena might be a place to check i.e. Fasig-Tipton etc.

[FlyinLate]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I appreciate all of the help.

[onefast99]

Good luck with your job hunting, the best place to start would be in the casino end of the industry as these are the tracks that will survive no matter what happens. Once the states start allowing table games, as in roulette and black jack and others the racinos will be much more profitable then they are today.

[gIracing]

you guys are silly if you think horse racing will not survive. churchill, santa anita, gulfstream, belmont and saratoga, durning the worst of worst recessions, will stand strone. even keeneland. with or without casinos. the other tracks I would be more concerned about


I'm pretty sure Magna's stock actually went UP last week. too funny.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by gIracing

you guys are silly if you think horse racing will not survive. churchill, santa anita, gulfstream, belmont and saratoga, durning the worst of worst recessions, will stand strone. even keeneland. with or without casinos. the other tracks I would be more concerned about

I don’t believe anyone mentioned the industry on mass will not “survive”. People at their age and ambition should be conscious if their choice will prosper.

BTW: The day my daughter graduates U of Florida and tells me she has decided to wear lederhosen and ‘yodel for Magna’s Stronach…is the day I jump off Saratoga’s grandstand wearing a paper helmet.

[onefast99]

Thats pretty funny DanG on saturday they had about 20 of these ladies in the winners circle promoting a model search, several even accompanied Frank while Ginger Punch was in the walking ring. No place for this in racing today it cheapens the sport!

[IRISHLADSTABLE]

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/careers-561...ainc_com_56859

[ponypro]

Probably the best genuine opportunity I have seen in a while is here

http://www.darleyflyingstart.com/index.html

Its probably pretty competetive to get in but you will have your career connections when done.

I aint too crazy about the sponsors, they seem to be buying the world with my gas money but its a reality and Im giving you a very realistic answer.

I would never consider working for any of the racetracks or in the "industry" they are mostly run by stark idiots

[Nacumi]

http://equ.equimax.com:8080/index.htm

Hope this link is helpful. Good luck!

[richrosa]

Don't be discouraged by some of the comments about monopolies or horse racing's survival. If you bring a good skill to any industry that can use it, you should be able to find a job by applying traditional job hunting skills.

1) Make a list of your prospective targets
2) Check their websites periodically for the types of jobs they post, apply when appropriate
3) Check job board sites (Monster, HotJobs, Career Builder)
4) Most importantly, try to network. Find someone in the industry, or in the company that you target who steer you in the right direction. This is critical. Its not unreasonable to ask someone you first met to do this either. You will be surprised how many senior people will mentor new college students and provide for the baking they need to get their first job in an industry.

Raciing, like every other American business will change at the administrative level. They will always be a need for more lawyers, tech personnel, and industry specific sales and deal makers. Knowing that, I would specialize in a skill I am most comfortable with and therefore portable to other industries.

The more you know about the industry you target the better off you will be. I suggest that you read the trade journals whenever possible. Not just the DRF which covers the industry from a horseplayer angle, but Bloodhorse and others too that cover it from a business perspective as well. It helps to understand the internals of a business to leap over others on the interview.

Lastly, I'd always recommending finding a summer internship in your desired field. Don't worry at all if its paid or not. Its a cheap way to get the knowledge and most importantly the mentoring and connections that you need to break in.

Good luck.