Working in racing is, for most of us, a vocation, a way of life, not just a job and it is a great life. For the majority who are lucky enough to work in this industry, regardless of our role, it provides huge variety in our day-to-day job and takes us to places of which we might never, otherwise, have dreamed of visiting. Everyone working in racing should pinch themselves every so often and ask themselves what they might be doing if it wasn’t for this wonderful sport of ours. Sadly, however, the industry has gained a reputation – mostly undeserved now – for low pay and long hours. This has, undoubtedly, proved a barrier to recruitment and, we believe, the long, often antisocial, hours, which cannot be denied, have similarly proved a barrier to retention. The racecourses and the betting industry are pushing more and more for racing in the evenings and at weekends and this has, at times, put unreasonable strain on the workforce. At Johnston Racing we like to think that we have led the field in staff management and training. Way back in 1987, when Mark Johnston started training in Lincolnshire, he broke away from the traditional staffing structure and deployed his staff according to their skills rather than having riders mucking out and performing yard duties. This was a major break from tradition but, in a short time, the whole industry followed. Now we are breaking from tradition again to provide more time off for our staff and a better work/life balance. Grooms and riders at Johnston Racing will now have a minimum of one day off in every calendar week. The standard working week will average out at 40 hours and any hours worked beyond that standard will be paid as overtime.
Large numbers of good people are lost to our industry, and most other industries, each year because family or other commitments prevent them from working the normal working week. If you have something to offer us but cannot work a normal 40-hour week, please get in touch. We are interested in offering part-time positions for school hours only or other flexible working patterns to get good people into, and to return to, racing.
To apply about working at Johnston Racing, email your CV to: [email protected], or send your CV with covering letter to Michael Flory, Johnston Racing Ltd. Park Farm, Middleham, North Yorkshire. DL8 4QZ
