Lead Outrider (Seasonal Part-time) - Ajax Downs

Ajax Downs; Ajax; On-site; CAD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Ajax Downs in Ajax, Ontario, seeks a Lead Outrider for the racing season to support training days and live racing operations, ensuring the safety of horses, jockeys, exercise riders, pony riders, and track personnel while maintaining orderly racing and post parade operations.

This is a seasonal position running from April through October, with an expected schedule of two to three days per week. Strong riding and leadership are essential to manage post parades and live broadcasts.

Qualifications

• Expert horse-riding ability.
• Ability to ride at high speed to chase and secure loose horses.
• Strong communication, leadership and conflict resolution skills.
• Knowledge of AGCO regulations related to racing is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Ensure track rules and safety procedures are followed during training and live racing days.
• Lead post parades to ensure horses arrive at the starting gate on schedule during live racing.
• Secure loose horses during post parades and live racing to help prevent injuries.
• Assist jockeys, gate crew and pony riders as needed.
• Deny riding privileges when necessary and recommend licence changes to AGCO when safety issues arise.

Skills

Expert horse-riding ability

High-speed riding

Horse control under pressure

Communication, leadership, conflict‑re

Job description

Pay: Compensation will be discussed based on experience and qualifications.

Ajax Downs is seeking Lead Outrider to support training days and live racing operations throughout the racing season. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of horses, jockeys, exercise riders, pony riders, and track personnel while maintaining orderly racing and post parade operations.

This is a seasonal position running from April through October, with an expected schedule of two to three days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure all track rules and safety procedures are followed during training and live racing days.
• Recommend to the AGCO any change in status or possible revoking of AGCO licence for any violations or safety issues when observing the track, horses, exercise riders, pony riders and/or jockeys.
• Deny riding privileges when necessary and recommend changes in status or licence review to the AGCO in cases involving rule violations or safety concerns.
• Assist exercise riders during training sessions as required.
• Verify that all riders are equipped with proper safety gear, including approved helmets with chin straps, protective vests, and heeled boots.
• Alert ambulance services and track personnel immediately when accidents or emergencies occur during training.
• Lead post parades to ensure horses arrive at the starting gate on schedule during live racing.
• Maintain an organized post parade presentation for live television broadcasts.
• Assist jockeys, starting gate crew members, and pony riders as needed.
• Secure loose horses during post parades and live racing to help prevent injuries, scratches, and disruptions.

Qualifications & Experience

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of horse behaviour management and control.
• Knowledge of AGCO regulations related to racing and post parades is considered an asset.
• General understanding of racing cards and race distances is considered an asset.

Skills

• Expert horse-riding ability.
• Proven ability to ride at high speed to safely chase and secure loose horses.
• Advanced ability to manage and control difficult or misbehaving horses.
• Strong communication, leadership, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to remain calm and make quick decisions in high-pressure situations.

Compensation

Compensation will be discussed based on experience and qualifications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Provide excellent guest service to both internal and external guests.
• Actively supports the company culture of creating a fun and entertaining experience for internal and external guests.
• Responsible for selling and cashing of pari-mutuel tickets and vouchers to betting guests.
• Provide information regarding race data, scratches and other pertinent information involving both live races and simulcasting.
• Assists guest with problems such as lost tickets, claimed or stolen vouchers, etc.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Responsible for selling and cashing of pari-mutuel tickets and vouchers to betting guests.
• Keeps daily balance sheet of amount and number of transactions.