Working for a racehorse trainer
Working in a racing yard puts you at the heart of British horseracing and offers an exciting and rewarding career with the opportunity to travel the world, enjoy a healthy and athletic lifestyle and work with professional equine athletes and riders.
The information provided in this area is for both current and new employees, so take a look in each area to discover the roles available and what you can expect from a career in a racing yard.
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Whether you are still in education, ready to start work, or looking for a career change, racing has a pathway to a rewarding career with horses that suits you.
About the Horseracing Industry
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Search the latest opportunities on the Careers in Racing Job Board HERE.
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The minimum terms and conditions of employment as agreed by the National Joint Council for Racing Staff:
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Situated on the outskirts of Newmarket, the heart of British horse racing, the BRS is a state-of-the-art training center which offers a blend of top-notch facilities and hands-on learning experiences for anyone interested in a career in horseracing
National Horseracing College (NHC) provides a responsive centre of training excellence within the north, identifying, encouraging and nurturing talent, particularly within young people.
NHC’s wide range of courses specifically cater for the staffing needs of the British racing industry.
A working stud which offers training courses for people who have a passion for the thoroughbred breeding industry.
The Scottish Racing Academy (SRA) has been developed to address the gap in horseracing education and training provision available in Scotland and the north
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RIABS provides benefits to eligible persons who are off work following accidental injury, arising out of and in the course of employment in the racing industry, including bona fide journeys between normal place of residence and place of work. For payment of wages see Items 16 /17 of The Memorandum of Agreement and Rules of Racing in relation to absence during sickness or accident (see link in blue box below.)
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All stable staff will now have a pension scheme directly from their employer which meets the government auto-enrolment regulations. Prior to 2018, the horse racing industry had a group scheme and employees looking for information on those scheme can find them here.
Stable Employees Pension Plan (SEPP)
Winterbourne Trustee Services Limited (WTS) are the Administrator and the Trustee for the Stable Employees Pension Plan (SEPP). They may communicate with you about entitlement under the Plan. This is important and useful information to your benefit.
All of those employed by Stables prior to 2001 could have an entitlement to pension benefits from the Stable Employees Pension Plan (SEPP).
If you think this could be you and you have not already received settlement please arrange for the request form available here, in the red box below, to be printed out, completed and returned to Winterbourne Trustee Services Limited (WTS) in the post with appropriate postage used. WTS will need your hard copy signature and ultimately proof of identity in order to check if you have entitlement.
Those who are entitled should know that the SEPP is now in wind up. Details are shown below. Wind up means that entitlement can be paid out to genuine members at any age in the form of a cash sum. The Trustee (WTS) is keen to settle as many members as quickly as practical and will welcome genuine inquiries from those who are likely to have been members. Note this is for those working in racing at any time before 2001. If you joined racing or a stable after this date you will not have an entitlement under this Plan but may have one elsewhere.
In considering your past employment history if you were in the racing industry as a 'stable lad' a term which includes females as well as males, prior to 2001 it is possible you will have an entitlement. Contributions to this pension scheme were only paid by your employer and possibly not visible to individual members at the time. You may not be aware that you have this benefit.
Do please consider your position on past employment and take actions as guided by Winterbourne Trustee Services Limited to assist you in settling your benefit. It may be very worth your while.
Implementation Statement - Feb 2025
Statement of Investment Principles
Notice regarding the progress of winding up
Friends Life Stakeholder Scheme
After the SEPP ceased taking contributions in 2001, the Stakeholder Scheme was then arranged with Friends Life (now Aviva). In April 2018 this scheme was replaced by employer statutory auto-enrolment schemes.
For more information contact Aviva on 0345 602 9221 (open 9am-5pm) or email customer.services@dgaviva.com
You will need your NI number, your plan number starting F57539, and quote the National Trainers Federation Registered Stakeholder Scheme.
Aviva contact details - Pension Plan (F)
Or you can set up on an online account with Aviva at https://www.direct.aviva.co.uk/MyAccount/login
The following link may also be of assistance if you do not know the pension plan number:
https://www.aviva.co.uk/retirement/pension-basics/how-to-find-a-lost-pension/
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In the event of death while an employee of a BHA licensed trainer the deceased's beneficiary will receive a fixed lump sum. Underwritten by Canada Life and administered by Benifex, the trust is the responsibility of the NTF. For further details contact the National Trainers Federation on 01488 71719.
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