Want to get paid while surrounding yourself with Thoroughbred racing? Here are brief summaries of some careers in the industry.

Jockey

Jockeys are the most visible professionals in the Thoroughbred racing industry. Many aspiring jockeys begin by exercising horses in the mornings until they are experienced enough to compete.

More information about jockeys is available from the Jockeys’ Guild here.

Trainer

Trainers are responsible for every aspect of a racehorse’s care. They must know what to feed, how to bandage, what medications to use and when, how to pick a race, how to recognize when a horse is lame or ill and what to do about it and many other details.

Todd Pletcher (Eclipse Sportswire)

Farm Manager

Farm managers are often responsible for mares and foals, stallions, horses in training, yearlings, weanlings and lay-ups. Good managers will also know a little about agriculture, construction, mechanics and wildlife.

Groom

Grooms are the extension of a trainer or manager and perform most of the tasks required to care for a horse, including grooming, feeding, watering, stall mucking, bandaging, tacking up and bathing.

Track Announcer

So you’d like to pursue a career as a track announcer? Here are tips from Tom Durkin, the longtime, now-retired voice of the New York Racing Association and the Breeders’ Cup, who is recognized as one of the top announcers in the sport's history.

Durkin started calling races full time in 1976 and estimated he has called “at least 50,000 races” in his career.

Trevor Denman and Conan O'Brien calling a race. (BENOIT photo)

Tom’s Tips

• The most important thing is to get a college degree. While you’re there, take courses in English and Literature.
• Get involved in some form of theater. Elocution is very important and getting on stage will prepare you for public performance.
• Read a lot and keep a dictionary at your side. If you come across a word you don’t know, look it up. I keep a book of words and phrases I might use some day while calling a race, and I have more than 8,700 words in that book.
• Don’t make a concentrated effort to develop a style. It will come naturally. Just describe what you see. It’s like a painter who just paints what he sees.

Steward

Racing stewards are the highest officials at a racetrack and must be familiar with the rules of racing for their jurisdiction. Stewards’ authority includes supervision of racing officials, track management, licensed personnel and patrons to ensure compliance with the rules.