Main Duties of a Clerk of the Course

• Assess, prepare, and maintain racing surfaces to ensure they are safe, fair, and suitable for racing.
• Monitor weather conditions and track performance, making decisions on going descriptions and racecourse suitability.
• Conduct course inspections and ensure compliance with the Rules of Racing and safety requirements.
• Lead and coordinate raceday operations relating to the track, grounds, and safety of participants.
• Identify and manage risks to horses, jockeys, racecourse staff, and the public.
• Liaise with officials, trainers, jockeys, racecourse teams, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
• Oversee ground staff and contractors involved in course preparation and maintenance.
• Manage emergency planning and implement appropriate safety procedures.
• Complete inspections, reports, and compliance documentation accurately.
• Support course maintenance planning and regulatory reporting outside of raceday operations.

What the role requires

• Significant experience in racecourse operations, grounds management, or a related racing environment.
• Expertise in racecourse and ground management, including turf, track surfaces, and going assessments.
• Strong understanding of the Rules of Racing, racecourse safety standards, and operational procedures.
• Excellent risk assessment and safety management skills.
• Strong decision-making ability, particularly in changing weather or track conditions.
• Leadership and team coordination experience.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Completion of mandatory Clerk of the Course training and accreditation.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and maintaining required licensing and accreditation.

Desirable skills

• Experience across both Flat and Jump racing environments.
• Advanced knowledge of turf science, drainage systems, and weather monitoring.
• Experience in emergency planning and incident management.
• Additional qualifications in grounds management, agronomy, health and safety, or related disciplines.
• Experience managing large-scale operational teams or multiple racing venues.

Working conditions

• Primarily based outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Early starts, evenings, weekends, and public holiday working are common, particularly on racedays.
• Regular walking of the racecourse and inspections of track conditions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, typically reflecting the size, profile, and complexity of the racecourse and role.
• Potential for career progression into senior racecourse or racing operations positions.