What does a
Racing Groom get paid?
Licensed racehorse trainers must follow the Racing Industry Minimum Rates of Pay Structure which is negotiated annually by the National Joint Council for Racing Staff. The Council includes representatives of National Association of Racing Staff (NARS) and the National Trainers Federation (NTF).
The minimum weekly rates are effective from 01 October to the 30 September and are published in the Memorandum of Agreement. The published weekly wages are the minimums agreed, and in practice you may earn more. The weekly rates are scaled by age and experience.
The Consolidated Wage is not now applicable.
If you are 16 or 17, government Working Time legislation limits the number of hours you can work in a week to eight hours a day and 40 hours a week.
Set out below are the minimum rates for a 40 hour week – where no accommodation is provided.
As examples staff in the early stages of their career can expect to be paid a minimum of the following:
Scale 1 – Trainee
For those with no experience or limited experience in horse racing. It is unlikely that people in this role will have qualifications higher than NVQ1 or equivalent.
| Age | Pay Band |
|---|---|
| Aged 16 to 17 | £250.00 upwards per week |
| Aged 18 to 20 | £314.00 upwards per week |
| Aged 21 to 22 | £407.20 upwards per week |
| Aged 23 and over | £416.80 upwards per week |
Scale 2 – Improver
People on this scale are likely to have some experience and
have NVQ2 or equivalent skills.
| Age | Pay Band |
|---|---|
| Aged 16 to 17 | £269.20 upwards per week |
| Aged 18 to 20 | £328.00 upwards per week |
| Aged 21 to 22 | £407.20 upwards per week |
| Aged 23 and over | £416.80 upwards per week |
Scale 3 – Rider/Groom/Yard Person
| Age | Pay Band |
|---|---|
| Aged 16 to 20 | £338.80 upwards per week |
| Aged 21 to 22 | £407.20 upwards per week |
| Aged 23 and over | £416.80 upwards per week |
Scale 4 – Senior Rider/Groom/Yard Person
People on this scale may hold NVQ3 or equivalent.
| Age | Pay Band |
|---|---|
| Any | £418.00 upwards per week |
Scale 5 – Skilled Rider/Specialist Yard Person
People on this scale may have previously held a professional jockey licence, are likely to have exceptional riding skills, to be capable of breaking and/or schooling young horses, capable of supervising equine swimming pool and similar facilities, have first aider and/or health and safety supervision duties.
| Age | Pay Band |
|---|---|
| Any | £437.20 upwards per week |
Scale 6 – Supervisory staff/senior management
This scale is likely to include head lad, travelling head lad or other supervisory/management roles.
| Age | Pay Band |
|---|---|
| Any | £475.20 upwards per week |
Prize Money
On top of your regular wage, you will get a share of any of the prize money won by horses in your yard – this is sometimes known as Pool Money.
Please note all figures and conditions are correct at the time they were published on this website but are subject to change. Please see the Memorandum of Agreement for up-to-date figures by visiting racehorsetrainers.org/industry/working.asp.
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