Racing Valet - Seasonal

Oaklawn•Hot Springs, AR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Oaklawn is seeking a talented Racing Valet to join their team. This role involves assisting with horse tack, saddling horses, and cleaning equipment. The Racing Valet may also maintain the jockey's wardrobe, ensure proper uniform wear, provide labor support to higher-level staff, and perform related tasks. The position requires delivering superior guest service, preparing riders for races, setting out equipment, assisting trainers in saddling horses, monitoring racing equipment, removing tack after races, maintaining jockey tack, and providing racing programs with necessary markings. Punctual attendance and the ability to work required overtime are essential.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age
Must be able to read, write legibly, understand and speak English
Ability to work at a fast pace in often crowded/noisy environment
Ability to work weekends, evenings and holidays
Ability to stand for periods of time and work in inclement weather when necessary
High School Diploma or equivalent required
Must have experience working closely around racehorses
Must have strong organizational skills
Must be team-oriented
Must be able to work successfully with a variety of personality styles
Must be able to perform various functions essential to racing operations
Knowledge of related Arkansas Racing Rules
Must be able to work independently
Must be able to sit, stand or walk for long periods of time (4 hours)
Must be able to respond calmly and make rational decisions when handling employee conflicts
Must be able to maneuver throughout all areas of the property and from floor to floor by stairways
Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.; and, have the ability to push, pull, reach, bend, twist, stoop and kneel
Ability to simultaneously manage several projects, and not be frustrated by changing priorities and unforeseen obstacles to achieving objectives
Respond to visual and aural cues
Must be able to tolerate areas containing dust, loud noises and bright lights
Must be able to work varied shifts, weekends and holidays as needed
Experience saddling and handling racehorses
Employee must be able to qualify for licenses and permits required by federal, state and local regulations

Nice To Haves

Ability to read and interpret documents in English, such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals
Ability to read and communicate verbally in English
Written communication skills in English may also be required

Responsibilities

Assists with the horse tack, saddling of horses and cleaning of all equipment
May maintain the jockey’s wardrobe and ensures that the proper uniform is worn for each horse
Provides labor support to higher level staff
Performs related tasks within area of assignment
Delivers superior internal and external guest service
Prepares and organizes each rider for various races; sets out all equipment, including helmets and helmet covers, whips, boots, etc.; and makes the riders saddle available for each weigh out time
Assists trainers in saddling of horses prior to each race
Monitors horse racing equipment such as saddles, girths, blinkers and etc
Removes tack from horses after each race and takes to jockeys room; may tighten and/or loosen over and under girths and unsaddle the horses
Maintains tack for each jockey; cleans saddles, boots and etc
Provides racing programs for each jockey; marks programs with scratches and highlighted mounts; ensures saddle and saddle pad are taken to the paddock and helps the trainer saddle the horse
Punctual attendance required
Ability to work required overtime
Other duties as assigned