Pay: Compensation will be discussed based on experience and qualifications.
Ajax Downs is seeking Lead Outrider to support training days and live racing operations throughout the racing season. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of horses, jockeys, exercise riders, pony riders, and track personnel while maintaining orderly racing and post parade operations.
This is a seasonal position running from April through October, with an expected schedule of two to three days per week.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure all track rules and safety procedures are followed during training and live racing days.
- Recommend to the AGCO any change in status or possible revoking of AGCO licence for any violations or safety issues when observing the track, horses, exercise riders, pony riders and/or jockeys.
- Deny riding privileges when necessary and recommend changes in status or licence review to the AGCO in cases involving rule violations or safety concerns.
- Assist exercise riders during training sessions as required.
- Verify that all riders are equipped with proper safety gear, including approved helmets with chin straps, protective vests, and heeled boots.
- Alert ambulance services and track personnel immediately when accidents or emergencies occur during training.
- Lead post parades to ensure horses arrive at the starting gate on schedule during live racing.
- Maintain an organized post parade presentation for live television broadcasts.
- Assist jockeys, starting gate crew members, and pony riders as needed.
- Secure loose horses during post parades and live racing to help prevent injuries, scratches, and disruptions.
Qualifications & Experience
Knowledge
- Solid knowledge of horse behaviour management and control.
- Knowledge of AGCO regulations related to racing and post parades is considered an asset.
- General understanding of racing cards and race distances is considered an asset.
Skills
- Expert horse-riding ability.
- Proven ability to ride at high speed to safely chase and secure loose horses.
- Advanced ability to manage and control difficult or misbehaving horses.
- Strong communication, leadership, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to remain calm and make quick decisions in high-pressure situations.
Compensation
Compensation will be discussed based on experience and qualifications.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
- Provide excellent guest service to both internal and external guests.
- Actively supports the company culture of creating a fun and entertaining experience for internal and external guests.
- Responsible for selling and cashing of pari-mutuel tickets and vouchers to betting guests.
- Provide information regarding race data, scratches and other pertinent information involving both live races and simulcasting.
- Assists guest with problems such as lost tickets, claimed or stolen vouchers, etc.
- All other duties as assigned.
- Responsible for selling and cashing of pari-mutuel tickets and vouchers to betting guests.
- Keeps daily balance sheet of amount and number of transactions.