Thoroughbred Racing Internship

Duties:

• Observe the work of departmental subject matter experts and make note of best practices and main accountabilities
• Assist with entries for the race card, which includes confirming race information, ensuring eligibility, applying applicable AGCO regulations and communicating with owners and trainers
• Greeting and directing office visitors, drafting routine correspondence, meeting minutes and basic spreadsheets.
• Maintain a professional relationship with internal departments including Printing, Guest Experience, Marketing and Media, and external clients such as trainers, owners, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, jockeys, and agents
• Assist with horse concierge program particularly on major race days
• Implementation and production of various statistical reports as required by management
• Act as a Racing Ambassador by providing information to owners on licensing requirements and horse certificates
• Assist with conducting barn audits and provide support to Racing Surfaces team as required
• Other related duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

• High School degree or relevant knowledge of the Racing Industry
• Eligible candidates must be a Woodbine Employee
• A passion to learn more about the horse racing industry
• Basic skills in Microsoft Suite
• Demonstrated collaborative skills and ability to work well within a team
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong organizational and administrative skills
• Ability to exchange information clearly and concisely 


Work Conditions


• Flexibility to work different hours and days as needed for the internship, including weekends and holidays.
• Internship includes working indoors and outdoors depending on the work area during placement.




• Internship Program Outline


Introduction to TB Racing
• History and Culture of Racing
• Safety around Horses with backstretch tours
• Racing structure breakdown with a meet and greet in each area
• The lifecycle of a TB Racehorse with a discussion on Equine Welfare as well as a farm tour


Race Office
• Race Office Front Desk – learn essential tasks and day to day requirements of horse racing stakeholders
• Race Office Clerk/Data Entry – learn the InCompass System, take entries and get familiar with process to ensure all horses are eligible to race
• Assistant Race Secretary – learn the role of the Assistant Racing Secretary and the process of putting together a racing program and preparing the race card
• Stakes Manager – will learn how stakes nominations are obtained and the day to day running of the stakes department to create the stakes program
• Race Secretary – will learn the day to day responsibilities including how to create a condition book and decisions on which races are to be carded daily


Horse and Race Logistics
• Stall Office Management – will learn the day to day operations of the Stall Office
• Clockers – will work with the clockers to see how the horses are timed during morning workouts and the job of the sheet writer
• Start Gate – will view the day to day work done by the Head Starter and his crew. This will be viewed at both morning training hours and race hours
• Track Surfaces – will follow the track surfaces team during morning training hours to see work done on tracks to prepare for racing and upkeep of other surfaces


Racing Operations
• Racing Concierge Services – learn how to provide a winning experience to Owners and Trainers
• Clerk of Scales/ Jockey Room – will learn the work of the Clerk of the Scales and respective team which includes ensuring the Jockey’s Room is prepared for each day of racing and all rules and regulations are followed during each race day
• Paddock operations (Placing Judge/ Paddock Judge/Horse ID) – Learn day to day responsibilities of each position
• Racing Operations Senior Manager – learn position’s day to day responsibilities including the importance of Equine Welfare as it pertains to the racing industry.