Ballydoyle Staff

Warper

Just wondering what people think of current labour case for Ballydoyle breaking worktime rules etc. It seems some staff were found to have worked 28 days straight. AOB said some of the staff have such a bond with the horses that they just turn up and work for nothing??? Is this a case of modern day slavery or a case of love of horses?

djPSB

Warper wrote: »

Just wondering what people think of current labour case for Ballydoyle breaking worktime rules etc. It seems some staff were found to have worked 28 days straight. AOB said some of the staff have such a bond with the horses that they just turn up and work for nothing??? Is this a case of modern day slavery or a case of love of horses?

I would imagine the latter.

If staff weren't happy in the job, then surely they would just leave,?

nuckeythompson

Very interesting, I worked there some time ago. Amazing place to work, that's if you're interested in everything equine.
That said one thing I noticed about stable staff in general is that they are very enthusiastic about their horses first then the work. What aob stated yesterday in regards to staff coming into work on days off is unfortunately very true.
When youngsters get into that line of work it's generally not by choice. In my case a failed or virgin jockey. Never got a rude.
The problem is a social or lack of social networking. Your life revolves around the stable and this is very much taken advantage of across all stables.
However aob makes a valid point imo in regards the importance of having one groom to a horse. The relationship and trust between both is invaluable as it's a team game and grandstand jockeys fail to see this.
But yeah, stable staff get a raw ****ing deal big time. Only the select few are lucky to travel. Most never will and rarely take or get a decent holiday.
So many taken advantage of their dedication and their relationship to the horses entrusted in their care.
Aob is a very decent and genuine man, Joseph is like a mini aidan. Very good to staff. But his wife runs that place and she is a very much a polar opposite.

Earendil

nuckeythompson wrote: »

Very interesting, I worked there some time ago. Amazing place to work, that's if you're interested in everything equine.
That said one thing I noticed about stable staff in general is that they are very enthusiastic about their horses first then the work. What aob stated yesterday in regards to staff coming into work on days off is unfortunately very true.
When youngsters get into that line of work it's generally not by choice. In my case a failed or virgin jockey. Never got a rude.
The problem is a social or lack of social networking. Your life revolves around the stable and this is very much taken advantage of across all stables.
However aob makes a valid point imo in regards the importance of having one groom to a horse. The relationship and trust between both is invaluable as it's a team game and grandstand jockeys fail to see this.
But yeah, stable staff get a raw ****ing deal big time. Only the select few are lucky to travel. Most never will and rarely take or get a decent holiday.
So many taken advantage of their dedication and their relationship to the horses entrusted in their care.
Aob is a very decent and genuine man, Joseph is like a mini aidan. Very good to staff. But his wife runs that place and she is a very much a polar opposite.

Are the grooms looked after if one of their horses has a big win nuckey?

hefferboi

Earendil wrote: »

Are the grooms looked after if one of their horses has a big win nuckey?

Yeah they get a few pound depending on prize money.

nuckeythompson

hefferboi wrote:

Yeah they get a few pound depending on prize money.

Yeah but it doesn't amount to much as far as I'm aware

hefferboi

nuckeythompson wrote: »

Yeah but it doesn't amount to much as far as I'm aware

Depends on the prize money

diomed

nuckeythompson
I might buy a mare and board her at a small stud.
Would it be ok to give the staff a few Euro? Would I need to ok it with the owner? Policies might differ at different places?

nuckeythompson

diomed wrote:

nuckeythompson I might buy a mare and board her at a small stud. Would it be ok to give the staff a few Euro? Would I need to ok it with the owner? Policies might differ at different places?

I certainly would not deal with staff directly. I'd deal with stud manager only for sure and let them deal with their staff. I'd be concerned of insurance issues

gscully

If the staff got a euro for every time AOB name-checks them on TV, they'd be minted

convert

diomed wrote: »

nuckeythompson
I might buy a mare and board her at a small stud.
Would it be ok to give the staff a few Euro? Would I need to ok it with the owner? Policies might differ at different places?

When I was working in yards and would ride a piece of work so the owners could see the horse, most would hand me a few euro as a thank you for looking after the horse and riding the piece of work. Not as much as you'd get for riding a piece if work for a trainer, but still it was a nice gesture and appreciated. If calling over to see your mare, maybe a small token like that might be nice, if that's something you'd be happy/comfortable with.

nuckeythompson

That's different, like the owner tipping the groom on raceday. In smaller stables a groom is more likely to be looked after. I never once saw tabor, magner or Smith once in ballydoyle