the good wrote: Actually Bob no grooms worldwide are skilled labour. They like horses or the enviroment.
Look at the Mexicans that most yards in USA employ.
My 1st job in a racing yard was as a groom and i certainly was not skilled. I was 19yrs and a school leaver and was give accomodation and food , thats all !! No wages!
Grooms learn the job from the bottom and those with aptitude end up with at least Assistant trainers licences. Thabiso Naiko started with me as a school leaver knowing not the 1st thing about grooming.1994.
He has done the Darley and Summerhill courses and is now assistant trainer to Sean Tarry.
I AM qualified to speak on this subject. Certainly more than most of the posters. I have raced around the world, and seen grooms in most racing jurisdictions and i assure you all the grooms in SA are properly treated and paid.
you are still living in the 1970s
Salaries vary but, as a guide, the average salary for a junior or assistant groom is around £10,000 per annum and the average salary for a head groom is in the region of £16,000 per annum. Employers may offer accommodation, livery for own horse, riding lessons, etc as part payment.
The working hours were from 4 to 9 am and then from 2 to 5 pm. These are the same for all stables in Australia
You only get paid the minimum wage (22.83 AUD per hour), but double the wage on Sundays and public holidays.
