The role of a stipendiary steward on the racecourse is to ensure that the rules of racing are adhered to and enforced throughout the day. Stipendiary Stewards are acknowledged both nationally and internationally, having responsibility for the administration and control of racing.

They are required to administer race meeting and trial operations and manage the job functions associated with checking eligibility of racing participants, including greyhounds and horses, checking equipment used in races, reading and controlling races,  identifying participating animals and ensuring the security, safety and welfare of participants and animals.

ANZSCO ID: 452318

 

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• decisive, proactive and self-motivated

• a genuine interest in horse racing

• excellent interpersonal skills, both oral and written communication

• the ability to work well under pressure

• a knowledge of the Rules of Racing

• proven keyboard skills and demonstrated knowledge in Word and Excel (min 40 wpm)

• practical horsemanship skills

• the ability to work well both independently and part of a team

• a valid driver’s licence

Watching the race

 

Duties and Tasks

Provide administrative and executive support to the Business and Racing Integrity Manager and the three Chairmen of Stewards to ensure the integrity of racing is upheld through compliance with established rules, practices and policies. Provide advice to clubs, officials, industry participants and staff of Office of Racing Integrity on regulatory matters.

The Stipendiary Steward reports to the Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward, and the role participates in the delivery of stewarding operations for racing. This position is responsible for directing and managing race day officials at race meetings. Race day officials include: (judges, starters, clerk of scales, sample collection officials, veterinarians and barrier staff).

The position requires strong communication and relationship management capabilities, to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Participate in the delivery of race day operations ensuring they are effective, high quality, and meet regulatory requirements and community expectations.

• Officiate at race meetings (appropriate to level) including directing and managing race day officials, and assist in the resolution of race meeting issues, informing management of serious matters.

• Undertake/assist in the management of race day preparation/activities including research & intelligence work, analysing betting trends, trial and track work sampling, audit, inspections and testing.

• Preparation of reports for inquiries or race meetings.

• Assist at appeal hearing by providing evidence and advice, as subject matter experts.

• Provide sound advice to management on issues relevant to stewarding operations.

• Implement and work within the Rules of Racing and the policies and procedures.

• Partner and collaborate with the intelligence and investigative teams.

• Report all non-compliance issues in accordance with requirements.

• Demonstrate ethical behaviour and integrity as required by the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994.

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, government departments, private entities and the general public.

• Contribute to the safety culture by reporting all incidents and hazards and ensuring work is undertaken in the safest way possible, following all WHS legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.

 

Duties allocated to staff at race meetings and trials will include:

• allocating stewards to observation positions around track

• arranging for swab samples to be sent to laboratory for analysis

• carrying out or supervising pre-race identification

• calling greyhounds or horses to parade or marshalling area.

 

Working conditions

You will need to work on a five out of seven day roster basis and attend venues and race tracks.

 

Education and training/entrance requirements

You are expected to have industry experience and or equine/legal qualifications.

 

 

Did You Know? Key definitions related to Handicapping Overweight: An amount of weight that a horse may carry in a race in addition to the weight allocated by the Handicapper, as a result of its rider being unable to make the declared weight. Penalty: The amount by which a Handicapper increases a horse's weight and/or Rating by the way of a winning or placed performance subsequent to the initial weight allocation. Rating: A numerical assessment by the Handicapping Panel of a horse's overall racing history. Ratings are updated within 24 hours of a race performance. Rating Band: A category into which a horse might be placed based on its Rating and the types of Rating races regularly programmed. Rating Race: A race for which eligibility is determined by a horse's Rating at the close of nominations. Benchmark Race: A Rating Based Handicap race where there is no upper or lower limit on eligibility. The weights assigned to each entry relate to the benchmark rating assigned to the race. Set Weight Race: A race where all horses competing are allotted the same weight subject to a sex allowance for fillies and mares. Top Weight: The highest weight allotted for a particular race, as determined by the Handicapper. Every race has a minimum top weight. Standard WFA Race: A race in which all horses carry a set weight according to the Standard Weight for Age Scale as provided under AR 104. This weight varies depending on the horse's age, its sex, the race distance and the month of the year. (Source: Racing Victoria) Racehorses carry weights to meet the minimum weight assigned for a specific race. If a jockey weighs less than the minimum, weight must be added. [In this case, boots rather than slippers] (Source: Horse Racing Sense)

 

 

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Handicapping is an essential part of horse racing, and the major tool used to regulate and equalise the playing field for all horses. Handicappers equalise races by assigning weights to horses based on statistics. Handicappers (or a panel thereof) are responsible for carrying out this process in keeping with whatever ratings system is in effect in their racing jurisdiction.

Handicappers [Racing] are responsible for determining what weight horses carry in a race. They are employed through the respective Principle Racing Authority (PRA) and must have a good understanding of racing and be able to assess a horses racing form. Modern handicapping is ratings based, horses are all given a rating and this will determine the weight a horse will carry, this allows transparency and assists trainers in placing their horses. The handicapper will use some discretion in determining the rating of a horse after it has raced but must follow their PRA guidelines. Handicappers use more discretion to determine the weight of horses in major Group 1 handicaps around Australia.

The role of a Handicapper  [Racing] is to ensure racing is delivered at a competitive level through the allocation of weights to be carried by each horse in a race, with the purpose of equalising their chances of winning. Once a horse has started in a race they are given a numerical rating and depending on performances, the rating will either increase or decrease during that horses racing career. Attending race meetings, watching vision of races and reviewing them, being able to read races and being able to provide logical and reasoned explanation for decision making is part of the daily routine as a handicapper.

Handicappers equalise races by assigning weights to horses based on statistics. ‘It’s a lot of work going through and adjusting the ratings of all these horses,’ explains David Hegan, Racing Victoria handicapper. ‘We are like a lawyer in one sense – we have to have a solid argument of why one horse is rated above another horse, based on facts and figures and a bit of discretion as well.’ Hegan completed a finance and statistics degree then an equine studies course. ‘It’s a niche field – there’s only three of us in Victoria,’ he explains. ‘There’s no official qualification but if you have a sports background and an eye for detail you would be in good stead to do form analysis.’

 

ANZSCO ID: 452318

Knowledge, skills and attributes    

• Advanced ability to judge a horse’s ability, place a horse in an appropriate race and handicap a race within a race meeting or trial.

• Self-motivated and ability to work within tight deadlines and with a high degree of accuracy.

• High level of computer literacy including advanced use of Internet technologies.

• Adherence to Racing Policies is essential.

• Superior written and verbal communications skills.

• Commitment to customer service and satisfaction as measured by the deliverables of the overall Integrity Unit.

• Commitment to working in a team environment and adherence to the Code of Conduct.

• Ability to continually achieve improved performance.

• Knowledge and understanding of handicapping and field selection regulations and procedures.

• Knowledge and understanding of the Australian Rules of Harness Racing [if required].

• Experience in handicapping racing and harness events

• Knowledge of/experience in the regulatory sector is desirable

• Integrity and probity checks will be required

In theory, if the handicapper is doing his/her job well the horses should finish like this:

Duties and Tasks

•  Plans and arranges racing schedules and assigns handicapped weights to horses at racetrack: Analyzes official workout and past performance records to arrange races between horses of equal experience and ability.

•  Handicaps horse in each race by assigning weight it will carry, using knowledge of handicapping and based on data, such as age, sex, total winnings of horse, and distances of races won.

•  Confers with track management personnel to plan types of races to schedule and to determine purse for each race.

•  Reviews application requesting permission to enter and train horse for competition.

•  Accepts application and entrance fee from owner.

•  Registers names of persons having financial interest in horse.

•  Reviews racing information to be published in newspaper, racing form, and daily racing program.

•  Directs activities of workers engaged in duties, such as compiling racing information and assigning stable space.

•  Records information regarding official racing result to keep file on each horse's ability.

Education and training/entrance requirements

There are many pathways to entering Racing Operations - a strong interest and knowledge of racing is required and a degree such as Sports Management would give somebody the appropriate skills required for the roles.

Certificate IV in Racing Services (Racing Administration)

Did You Know? The Handicapper will use a Ratings Based Handicap System (or in NSW, a Benchmark Programming and Handicapping System) along with several other considerations to arrive at their decision. Ratings systems are crucial to a handicapper's role, but so too is their own judgment and discretion. Handicapping Systems RATINGS BASED HANDICAPPING SYSTEM Ratings Based Handicapping (RBH) assigns a numeric value to runners based on a range of factors related to their performance history. A horses rating will take into consideration all performances throughout a horse's career with the greatest emphasis on recent performances. The system can then be used to gauge roughly what weight a horse will carry in upcoming races thanks to the Ratings Based Template (RBT), which lists the corresponding weight figure to each rating (the RBT ratings are based on a fully mature four-year-old male, so adjustments will have to be made accordingly) BENCHMARK PROGRAMMING & HANDICAPPING SYSTME This system also assigns a numerical value to runners but doesn't include any independent analyst data, instead incorporating the input of merit based assessments, the results of which come from computer calculations. The computer ranking is then reviewed by internal analysts before the RNSW Handicapping Panel reviews the final recommendation. Merit based handicapping does not factor in potential, it is based purely on the quality of previous race performances. See Ratings for info on how handicap and benchmark ratings are assigned.

 

A judge on race day is responsible for advising the stewards of the official placings for each race. A racetrack judge is given the sometimes unpopular task of calling the races they are charged with.

The finish of a race is captured by photo finish equipment, a person is required to operate this and then pass the photo onto the official Judge. The Judge then determines the placings and margins of the race which in turn permits the results to be published. The need for accuracy and integrity is high, coming up with the correct outcome is vitally important due to the wagering and the amount of prizemoney involved.

 

ANZSCO ID: 452318

Specialisations:

• Paddock Judge: This judge supervises the assembly of the horses in the saddling paddock prior to a race, oversees the saddling of the horses, and keeps a record of all equipment used on each horse (reporting any changes to the Stewards).

• Patrol Judges: These are the judges stationed at the poles during races, “spotting” for the Stewards and relaying reports. They also run the videotape room for Stewards and jockeys who wish to have a race replayed to check for infractions or violations or study photo-finishes and objections.

• Placing Judges: These officials work in a station above the finish line, placing horses in order of finish and posting information on the tote board. If the judges are not unanimous in their decision, or if there is a close photo finish or an objection, the Placing Judges will dispatch the race’s photographs and video to the Stewards for an official ruling.

Did You Know? The photo finish camera is also known as the mirror camera - it provides a reverse image, which if needed can assist the judge in a tight photo finish. The race that had three winners Perfect formation: the official photo finish of the 1944 Carter Handicap It was a common sight, hanging on the wall of nearly every pub, tavern and corner saloon across America from the 1940s right up to the 1970s. A photo depicting three horses in a perfect line. The date across the top read June 10, 1944, four days after D-Day. The place was New York’s Aqueduct, and the race was the 46th running of the Carter Handicap. It was the first and thus far the only triple dead-heat in a stakes race in America. The first photo finish camera was used at Bay Meadows racecourse in Northern California in 1934. Prior to that, the order of finish was determined by the eyes of judges stationed on a platform above the finish line. The photo finish camera contains a moving strip of film that records each horse as it goes past a single spot at the finish line. New York introduced the photo finish camera in 1936. (Source: Thoroughbred Racing)

 

Knowledge, skills and attributes    

A Knowledge of Racing
This is a position which benefits from a thorough knowledge of the racing industry, firm decision making capabilities and the ability to stand by their calling, as well as a knowledge of horseflesh.

 

Duties and Tasks

• Study photo finish to call outcome of each race

• Determine the finishing places of each race

• Determine distance between horses at finish

 

Education and training/entrance requirements

Generally extensive racing experience and knowledge of the industry is required for this type of job and consists of on the job training.

Thanks to technology and fast cameras, the judging process can be more exact and carried out by only one individual, although there are cases of disputed judge calls being overturned. This horse job does not provide a great deal of contact with the animals.

Natashia Radford, Australia's first female Racing Judge
Read more about her here.
(Source: Instagram)

 

 

ANZSCO ID: 452318 

 

Knowledge, skills and attributes 

• Demonstrates experience in a licensing or compliance role

• Demonstrates experience in policy development and processes to monitoring adherence to policy

• Experience/awareness of case management systems

• Demonstrates ability to have difficult conversations

• Demonstrates ability to prioritise, identify key actions and coordinate various work streams to maintain momentum

• Excellent report writing and demonstrated ability to summarise complex issues into succinct summary documents and recommendations

• Demonstrates interpersonal and communication skills which facilitate interaction with a broad range of stakeholders

• Team focused with sound organisational skills and the ability to effectively manage multiple issues/projects

• Professional conduct that upholds the integrity of the thoroughbred racing industry

• Knowledge of the horseracing industry or other sporting code

 

Duties and Tasks

Responsibilities include:

• Coordination of new license applications (including Trainers, Jockeys and Rider Agents) in accordance with racing authority's procedure which include coordinating and conducting interviews with applicants

• Maintain up to date records of new applications, show cause proceedings and licensing investigations on the Intelligence and Case Management System (ICMS)

• Coordinate the pro-active monitoring of current licensed and registered persons to support the annual license and registration renewal process in line with the relevant policies

• Assist with the on-going education of licensed and registered persons in relation to compliance with the Rules of Racing

• Attending to phone calls and queries from various stakeholders

• Providing administration support and assist with relevant projects on an ad hoc basis as required for the Integrity Services Department.

 

 

 

 

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Biosecurity Officer	Bookmaker	Farrier	Gardener
Greenkeeper	Horse Manager	Horse Trainer	Jockey
Paramedic	Racecourse Track Manager	Raceday Officer	Security Consultant
Vet	WHS Officer

 

Material sourced from
Racing Victoria [Steward; Handicapper; Licensing & Administration Coordinator; ]
Racing Jobs [Steward; Racing Operations;  ]
Career Planner [Racing Secretary & Handicapper; ]
Thoroughbred Industry Careers [Steward; ]
Skills Impact [Steward p.23 ]
Racing Jobs [Cadet/Stipendiary Steward; Judge ]
SmartJobs Qld [Stipendiary Steward; ]
The Equinest [Judge; ]
Racing & Wagering WA [Judge; ]
TOC Online [Judge; ]
Australian Government Training [Stipendiary Steward; ]
Deakin University [Eight Surprising Spring Racing Jobs; ]
Your Career [ Dog & Horse Racing Official; Filing & Registry Clerk;  ]

 

Horse Jobs Cluster