Grooms and Jockeys

I’ve often thought about the lot of grooms in racing – basically owners pay training fees which trainers then use to pay grooms. Jockeys, however (as far as I know - maybe they do in some form - Tex?) do not pay a cent to the guys who essentially keep them in business – with many jockeys claiming 10% stakes now I don’t think that it would be out of place that the groom should not get a % of the Jockey’s fees per race(including riding fees) – does not have to be a large % - perhaps max 5% which would go a long way to improve the quality of grooms and their lifestyles. Before I get shot down by a slew of agents and Jockeys please have a look at the Jockeys parking space at any racecourse and then watch the groom in the morning rolling hand made cigarettes out of newspaper before you say Jocks have it so hard!(and don’t expect owners to shellout as usual unless you as the Jockey or agent are prepared to get up at sparrows to clean out a crap filled box and wash down a sweating TB that tries to bite your head off at every turn) Share a bit guys it might just make you feel better!

The sourest part of racing in SA and probably everywhere else imo...

Very good point u have there , it is about time that grooms which are the backbone of racing be treated in a much better way .They do all the shit work and then out trots the little jock gets on the horse wins and gets all the glory and 10%and and ????

@Mr Hawai:

what is the situation in other countries regarding grooms?

no idea umlilo - but just looking at english racing the grooms seem to have far better raceday attire compared to our guys who often look like beggars when i see them ride out in the mornings

I know a few stable lasses (grooms).They get free board and lodgings and a couple of days off a week. They are well looked after and are not short of a penny or two.

Grooms in the UK are pennieless and got a massive pay rise when the minmuim wage was introduced and remain probably the poorest paid and hardest working workforce in the UK

Read section six of the pdf Click here

@Mr Hawai:

Isn't this situation linked with the fact that blacks do not want to enter the industry?

Look at it this way:

Mr Big Shot Khumalo has his horses with a trainer (would be with a white). He visits the stables and finds all these shaggy fellow blacks as grooms. There is an immediate sub-conscious, embarassing mental block...HE IS DIFFERENT (even if one of the grooms is also a Khumalo)!

He will greet the black grooms.... more patronising if not from a distance. He will refrain from speaking/addressing them in isi-Zulu (except for the 'sani bona'!) He would rather speak to the trainer than any of the grooms. He will even stand away from them if they smell of manure / 'grass' or 'mtshwala' /booze!

This situation can lead to all sorts of complications for him; he will be seen by the grooms as a coconut or black 'mlungu', etc.; called upon to intervene (someone wants to become a jockey, trainer, needs a loan, being underpaid/abused, assist with funeral, etc).......

So, stay away...this is a white man's game!

Stick to tendering!!!!

Eish!!!!!

umlilo i would suggest that if you want to have black trainers start with grooms - get them into adult literacy classes paid for by themselves using funds earned from Jockeys - Next offer them stable assistant classes again paid for using money generated through earnings on the track - finally get the guys to a level where they can reach where they can get an assistant trainers license based on theory and practical skills - this will not guarentee them a career as a trainer but at the very least they will have a basic education that goes futher than the ability to fill in a tote ticket

Fully agree with you umlilo, The groom live in terrible conditions (one step away from a prison cell) There should be at lest a minimum wage that they should get, But the trainers would probably turn around and say that they dont really work to many hours and there hourly wage is actually quite good. Plus they get free accommodation.

Have u seen their free accommodation at the vaal ?