Grooms and Jockeys

Havent seen the vaals compound/hostel/cell, Been to the summerveld one a couple of years ago. terrible conditions .

@mr hawaii :

well noted & makes sense.
pity no such programme in place; if that had been done years back, we would have a literate and able set of grooms (even trainers), who could have filtered in new owners....gradually.... is the word!

with exposure to the media, interest would have accelerated, with former grooms now standing proud as proficient trainers!

In fact, many an existing trainer (battling) would have wisely teamed up with them to bring in new (black & white) owners.

On the plus side, there would be no need for BEE, transformation, and all the other emotive issues connected with it.

hibernia Wrote:

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> 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


In a true South African response. You are talking utter kak.

I am amazed i thought grooms slept with the horses.

What next a grooms union? Or even maybe let them ride in real races.

My heart wont make it.

With all due respect I don't see how you can make the grooms a jockeys problem. What they earn, their wages or leave or work hours & responsibilities cannot be the the riders domain and you make no sense at all.

Grooms are employed by an employer and in this case it's a trainer. Why not knock on that door? Or even the owners are a more logical and direct connection as they pay the piper.

Jockeys don't have any legal say over anyone's contract of employment, and the moral responsibility you burden them with is a stretch at best.

Seems Mr H looking to stir just for the sake of it. Too easy to take shots at jocks.

chicken 'n chips Wrote:

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> hibernia Wrote:
>

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>

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> > 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
>
>
> In a true South African response. You are talking
> utter kak.


I backed up what i said with a document

@Shayne Welman :

That's what is shocking about this country; the total lack of empathy and/or sympathy for fellow beings. THAT boils down to this subconscious, sub-liminal and at othetr times, naked racist attitude!

There is this concern about diminshing interest in the industry, downward spiral, etc. We have a potential, untapped market that has not been targetted. I suggested a reason for it, linking it with the situation of the grooms (albeit, somewhat tongue in cheek).

It is so convenient to be cynical and sarcastic; yet, no objective, substantive contribution/engagement, except from a few genuine, unblinkered clans wo/men.

It's sad for the future; the same people who throw birck bats at officialdom are guilty of exactly the same attitude!

Soon, progressive voices will disappear from the scene as, when you make a valid point/observation,or, ask a question, that is seen (like the west) 'terrorism inspired', 'extremist', 'treason', etc!

I agree with Mr Hawaii- most dont even think of what a difference even 1% to the groom could make.

My hats off to Mike de Kock, because as I am led to believe, he gives his grooms at least 1% of the horsesthat particular groom looks after,which presumably comes out of his share.

The man is not only a genius, but also a decent human being and deserves more respect from the SA public.

1% may not seem like a lot, but at least they get something- they do a sterling job and get rewarded.

There may be other trainers, but to my knowledge he one of the only ones.

guys let's stop the quake before it happens - we DO NOT NEED A NATIONAL STRIKE FROM GROOMS( we would be naive to think this won't happen every other industry has been hit and our turn is just a gallop away) Give the guys a little help and when they don't expect it and you will create goodwill -

JD, I do things slightly differently, my grooms get 1% of stake money the horse earns, 1st to 5th, I pay it to the groom on the next payday and collect it from the owners at the end of the month. The winning groom will get .5% of a win that week, and the other .5% or if a place 1% goes into a pool and is a bonus between all the grooms incl. the at last payday of the month. And a braai, or even a breakfeast at Turffontein which they have taken up on ( Its a sight to see them all dressed up in Levis and brands I cant afford to wear or think is a waste of money to wear) . ( But seem to prefer sharing the braai). They are all happy with this. Other local trainers may also give 1%.

PS they were an hour late for breakfeast...

Grooms generally get "presents" for wins and places earned by their horses from trainers. Some trainers pay good wages, and some don't... It stands to reason that the trainer who charges big training fees would be able to reward his grooms better than the crowd who train for free (and get larger percentages of stakes). I still can't fathom how the latter trainers can even survive, let alone pay their grooms a decent wage, or reward them with "presents".

The average grooms lives in squalid conditions, in rooms that are infested with bed bugs, lice and cockroaches. There is NO maintenance done, whatsoever... and I do not know who should be responsible. Turffontein's compounds are the WORST in the country.

These guys are the unsung heroes of racing, and like with anything in life, whatever you put in you get out... so pay badly and your horses will be looked after badly

Ruby not sure if that is directed at me, but, my grooms are paid better than many grooms, I have grooms continiously asking to work for me because my grooms are happy. 7% is what my stable takes - no extra %, other than 1% for groom.