Breeding Careers

The Breeding Industry Can Be A Very Rewarding Career And Has Many Different Opportunities At Various Levels.

If you would like to find out further information about working at a stud farm or greyhound breeders, training courses available in Western Australia, or Licensing requirements, please contact:

Racing Industry Training
Email: training@rwwa.com.au
Phone: (08) 9445 5483

HORSE BREEDING

Breeders provide horses to compete in the racing industry. Australia has the second largest stallion and broodmare population in the world behind the USA. Western Australia currently has 860 people involved in the local breeding industry.

Job opportunities in the breeding industry are generally with Stud Farms, of which there are many within Western Australia, with the large majority being in the South West of the State.

Obtaining a job on a Stud Farm is generally the first step to a career in the breeding industry. Stablehand or any horse handling experience are the usual requirements to commence employment as a Stud Hand.

If you are interested in a career at a Stud Farm, contact:

Thoroughbred Breeders WA:

T: 08 9277 9880
E: info@tbwa.net.au
www.tbwa.net.au

Standardbred Breeders Association WA:

T: 08 0447 053 040
E: info@wasba.com.au
www.wasba.com.au

Stud Hand / Stud Groom

A stud hand is usually an individual’s first job in the breeding industry. Duties include basic handling, feeding, cleaning and maintaining stables, paddocks and equipment, property maintenance, and operating machinery and equipment.

A stud groom is a skilled farmhand involved in a number of breeding activities such as caring for and foaling down broodmares, carrying out mating procedures, handling and care of stallions and property maintenance

Stallion Handler

A stallion handler is someone with extensive horsemanship skills, who has previous experience as a stud groom. The main role of a stallion handler is to care for and prepare the stallions for mating as well as prepare them for stud parades. They are also responsible for ensuring the proper quarantine procedures are adhered to.

Stud Manager

A stud manager oversees and manages all breeding activities of a stud, such as management of the horses, business administration, staff management and training, and supporting the marketing of the animals.

A Diploma of Horse Breeding (Stud Management) is available, however is not currently offered in WA.

For more information on courses visit Department of Education and Training’s website.

Bloodstock Agent

A bloodstock agent specialises in the buying and selling of yearlings (young unraced racehorses), racehorses, broodmare and stallions.

Broodmare Manager

A broodmare manager is someone with extensive horsemanship skills, who has previous experience as a stud groom. The main role of a broodmare handler is to take control and prepare the mares for mating as well as prepare them for stud parades.

GREYHOUND BREEDING

Breeding greyhounds is no easy task as it requires extensive knowledge as well as complete dedication, as it very time-consuming. There are many factors that need to be considered when breeding greyhounds and it involves lots of planning, research and care to ensure that both the mother and the litter are in optimal condition and health.

All Western Australian racing greyhound pups must be bred, reared and registered under the control of a person who has a RWWA Breeders License.

Below are the types of careers available in the greyhound breeding industry.

Breeders

In order to become a Breeder, individuals must comply with the following:

You must first obtain a Breeding License with RWWA before any breeding activities take place. All pre-requirements for such a licence must be completed and assessed by RWWA Stewards.
Before a Breeder’s License can be granted the applicant must complete the RWWA Greyhound Breeders Educational packages.
Once a license has been issued, Breeders must comply with all relevant Rules of Racing in relation to registration and recording of breeding sires, breeding females and whelping/litter notifications/records.
The management of the greyhounds during the weaning and rearing stages should follow a program that best equips the individual dog for their future life, both on and off the track. Such protocols should be based around knowledge of the greyhound’s socialisation period and a priority during the sensitive period of development, during the first three months of life.

Rearers

The early stages of a greyhound’s life are extremely important for their development and their early rearing environment is critical for building resilience. The rearing stage consists of socialisation, regular galloping, human interaction as well as the greyhound beginning to learn how to chase.

It is important that young greyhounds have plenty of room to gallop to assist with their muscle development and aerobic capacity. Therefore, rearer’s must have appropriately sized rearing yards or a straight track of no less than 40 metres for galloping greyhounds.

In order to become a rearer individuals must comply with the following:

You must first obtain a Breeding License with RWWA before any rearing activities take place. All pre requirements for such a licence must be completed and assessed by RWWA Stewards.
Before a Breeder’s License can be granted the applicant must complete the RWWA Greyhound Breeders Educational packages.
Once a license has been issued, Rearers must comply with all relevant Rules of Racing in relation to the rearing of greyhounds.
The management of the greyhounds during the weaning and rearing stages should follow a program that best equips the individual dog for their future life, both on and off the track. Such protocols should be based around knowledge of the greyhound’s socialisation period and a priority during the sensitive period of development, during the first three months of life.