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Horse Racing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Seasonal Racing Valet

Shakopee, MN · On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Description Experience the fun of working in the entertainment industry at Canterbury Park - home to live horse racing every summer and year round action in our Card Casino, Racebook and Expo Center.

Seasonal Racing Valet

Shakopee, MN · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

Experience the fun of working in the entertainment industry at Canterbury Park - home to live horse racing every summer and year round action in our Card Casino, Racebook and Expo Center. Canterbury ...

Racing Title: Senior Director Racing Relations Employee Status: Regular Full Time Work From Home ... Analyze participation trends, horse inventory movement, and competitive landscape to inform ...

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Showing results 1-20

Horse Racing information

See salary details

$7

$16

$23

How much do horse racing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for horse racing in the United States is $16.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.26 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How Can I Get a Horse Racing Job?

The qualifications for each position in the horse racing industry vary greatly. You should have prior experience for the job for which you are applying. Racetrack security personnel, for instance, should have previous security positions on their resume. Administrative positions often require a bachelor’s degree in business, while veterinarians need their doctorate and any necessary licenses or certifications. Trainers work as assistants before taking on this role and pursuing their professional licensure. Jockeys must meet strict weight and height requirements, display racing skills, and possess a jockey’s license. Look at online job board listings to gain a better understanding of what your desired position requires.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Horse Racing Jockey, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Horse Racing Jockey, you need expert riding ability, a deep understanding of horse behavior, and often completion of apprentice programs or licensing requirements. Familiarity with racing equipment, weight management practices, and race-day protocols is essential. Strong soft skills like quick decision-making, resilience, and excellent communication with trainers and owners set top jockeys apart. These skills are critical for ensuring safety, achieving peak performance, and building successful partnerships in a competitive racing environment.

What are common challenges faced by professionals working in the horse racing industry?

Professionals in the horse racing industry often face challenges such as early morning hours, physically demanding work, and the need to quickly respond to the unpredictable nature of working with horses. The fast-paced environment requires strong teamwork between trainers, jockeys, grooms, and veterinarians to ensure horse welfare and race readiness. Additionally, maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards is crucial, and adapting to frequent schedule changes is a common part of the job.

What are horse racing jobs?

Horse racing jobs encompass a variety of roles involved in the breeding, training, care, and racing of horses. Common positions include jockeys, trainers, grooms, exercise riders, stewards, and racecourse staff. These professionals work together to ensure horses are healthy, well-prepared, and able to compete safely and successfully. Horse racing jobs can be physically demanding and often require early mornings and weekend work. Many roles require specialized knowledge of horses and a passion for the sport.

What is the difference between Horse Racing vs Jockey?

AspectHorse RacingJockey
Required CredentialsNone mandatory, but racing licenses may be neededRacing license, riding certifications
Work EnvironmentRacecourses, stables, outdoor tracksRacecourses, training facilities, outdoor tracks
Employer & Industry UsageRacing organizations, tracks, stablesRacing teams, trainers, stables
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding racing activities, eventsRiding skills, race participation

Horse Racing involves organizing and managing racing events, while a Jockey is a professional rider who participates in races. Horse Racing covers the broader industry, including event management and track operations, whereas Jockeys focus on riding and competing in races. Both roles are integral to the racing industry but differ in responsibilities and credentials.

What cities are hiring for Horse Racing jobs? Cities with the most Horse Racing job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Horse Racing jobs? The most popular types of Horse Racing jobs are:
What states have the most Horse Racing jobs? States with the most job openings for Horse Racing jobs include:
Infographic showing various Horse Racing job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $33,281 per year, or $16 per hour.
Seasonal Racing Valet

Seasonal Racing Valet

Canterbury Park

Shakopee, MN • On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Canterbury Park rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

29th of 34 rated event venues


Job description

Description

Experience the fun of working in the entertainment industry at Canterbury Park - home to live horse racing every summer and year round action in our Card Casino, Racebook and Expo Center.

Canterbury Park offers competitive pay and an attractive benefits package for part-time team members. Our team members enjoy paid time off, floating holidays and holiday premium pay. For eligible team members, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes life, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching; robust wellness programs designed to promote overall health and well-being; and much more. Additional exciting perks include free admission to live racing events, exclusive access to special event privileges, and a wide variety of discounts at local businesses and throughout Canterbury Park. These benefits are carefully designed to not only enhance your experience at work but also contribute to a vibrant and rewarding lifestyle in the community.

Job Summary:

Racing Valets shall attend the weighing out of the jockeys, the saddling of the horses prior to racing, the unsaddling of the horses post race and attend the weighing in of the jockeys. Responsible for supporting the Company's mission, vision, and values by providing an unparalleled experience of fun and entertainment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Lead by example.
  • Responsible for maintaining a high degree of hospitality, as well as a positive and professional demeanor at all times.
  • Creates high levels of morale, fosters teamwork, inspires collaboration, and provides suggestions for growth to management.
  • Clean jockey equipment between each race
  • Transfer equipment from the Jockeys' Room to the Paddock
  • Assist in the saddling the horses in the paddock prior to the race under the direction of the trainer or assistant trainer of the horse
  • Transfer equipment from the racetrack to the Jockeys' Room after the race

Required Qualifications:

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to maintain a calm, composed presence in an often challenging environment where multiple tasks and events may occur simultaneously.
  • Must provide own khaki-colored work pants.
  • Must be able to pass Canterbury Park's pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, drug screening, and Canterbury Park's Safe Driving Policy.
  • Must be able to attain a Minnesota Racing Commission (MRC) license.
  • Must be registered with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) as a Covered Person.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • At least One (1) year of experience as a Valet

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Maintain a flexible working schedule, which may include late nights and weekends during the live race season May - September.
  • While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and sit throughout the assigned shift.
  • Required to be in proper uniform during all hours where live racing is being conducted.
  • Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.
  • Requires frequent wrist and hand use.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.


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