Does anyone know

If any monies go to Grooms families etc?

Either from Stakes, Stable Fees or some other direct/in-direct way from owners, for things like health and welfare?

If so, do you know the formula?

Grooms benefits differ from trainer to trainer.
It is very hard to say Jim.
They usually gets presents from owners for the place that the horse achieved in a race.
Normall workmans compensation and uif comply most of the time.

Here in WC the grooms get a cheque from GC for a win (don't know how much and not 100% sure if still happening)

Will make a call and add details soon

So other than the generosity of Owners and Trainers (a piece of stakes chq) - there are no 'formal' payments as such?

As mentioned in previous text about stakes increases some said what about other issues, more important etc.

Well I for one - would have no problem with some form of deduction from stakes paid directly into a 'pool' for those employees and families that need assistance.

I would even agree with a small monthly deduction included in my monthly Stable bill - provided 100% was used for such 'welfare' issues.

How about it Jack Dash et el?

In the Wcape, grooms get a cheque issued by the operator which starts at R300 for a Maiden race (may be more for other races, I do not know), this is deducted from the owner's winning stakes. I understand the cheque is cut to the groom named in the racecard.

I am not opposed to charity, but I would probably not want to be pressed into a formalised gift pack where I'm not sure how it's distributed. As a dirty capitalist I pay my trainer for his invoice, and he must manage his employees imho.

I am not opposed to a cut of stakes for the chap who straps my horse, even for places. I would love it if the jockey meets me R for R, especially the buggers who charge an extra 50%!

So a clean place to piss is ok, but. . .

Jamster Wrote:

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> So a clean place to piss is ok, but. . .

but??

I think that the groom is only second to the horse. A trainer with a bigish yard relies heavily on what information the groom passes onto him as for obvious reasons the trainer or his assistant cannot be everywhere at once.

Grooms in the UK and Ireland are well respected and well remunerated and so they should be.

How about the jock give a share of his 10% to the groom that worked with the horse hahaha just jocking.

JD

Just following up on your post that it's not all about stakes "you have decided there is a 'stakes' crisis, rather than the wages paid to grooms or Tote staff, or training facilities"

And just giving you an opportunity to join in said 'other' issuses.

Jim

Fair enough. There are strong opinions on this forum, and people have a right to represent themselves. And this forum mirrors the control of racing to an extent.

Although it's called African'BETTING'clan, and there is alot of discussion around betting and horses, the strong opinions are still 'owner' dominated around issues like 'oncourse attendance' and 'stakes (for owners)' and anti-bookermaker sentiment and tote betting (for the sake of stakes).

I wanted to point out to you that not all the priority problems are just about 'owners' and how they are directly affected.

Actually, I like SA racing. I think it's well run and about as clean as something can be given people have a high degree of input on the outcome. I think that many people can own a horse here while a similar person in many other countries might not. Well, that goes for me anyway.

JD

"many people can own a horse here while a similar person in many other countries might not" that's exactly my situation - lol!

I would like to see others 'invest' in SA racing - you get a lot of bang for your buck as it's about 1/4th the cost all the way around!

Anyhow, I'm just trying to contribute - question - help as best I can, as the guys I've met - in particular on this site - are a good bunch of chaps, and ahve the interest of racing at heart.

Anyhow JD take care, and maybe I'll buy you a JD at the track!

Jim.