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Just wondering how many of you employ stud staff and esp' a stud groom?A friend of mine is looking for a new stud groom and has a couple of potentially decent people lined up for that role but of the two who seem the most suitable they have a little bit of a problem in their choice of the best option.The first man is in his late 40's has over 25 years experience in that role but he has just worked on two studs covering all aspects.He now works on a small stud with very few mares and has spent the majority of the last ten years working at times alone,at other times with just one helper.But importantly he does produce yearlings extremely well.The second guy is in his early twenties and is currently employed as a second man and wants to advance himself.He like the first guy has experience but not as much as the older guy.This has got me thinking and I'm wondering if I had that choice to make who would I go for,both are very keen and by all accounts both are nice hard working staff.The stud offering the job has other staff so could the olderman slot into working with more people again or could that create later problems?Also the first guy has his own mare the other doesn't.That wouldn't be a problem for me personally as I see that as someone who has a genuine interest in the game.So given that choice if you were looking for a new stud groom who would you go for?For me I'd be inclined to hire the first man as at his age and experience I think he is perhaps the best long term bet.Any views?
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I believe your question can be applied to any scenario / industry so I’ll give this one a shot.
I think you have got to ask yourself how / where this new employ is going to fit into the team. Is he going to be a senior, middle, junior or even in charge?
It would be a huge mistake to employ the first guy and not give him any degree of seniority. He has effectively been managing his current / last job and putting him in at a junior level would be a waste of his talents.
Also what is the person who runs the yard like, does he micromanage / is he a control freak or does he let peole get on with it, trusting in their ability?
If he’s the first type then employing the first guy would be a disaster as he rightly or wrongly believes he knows best, after all he’s been doing the job for 25 years. The owner will spend his time dealing with the two of them bitching and moaning about each other which makes for a divided and unhappy work environment for all.
The secong guy is more malleable and can still be shaped / taught to do things differently. He’s also got that hunger to work hard and try and better himself and learn. If he has his own mare he’ll be even keener to learn. The trouble is if he doesn’t make headway quickly he’ll be off.
If it was my choice I’d go for the second guy – less politics, less hassle but it does depend where they are going to slot into the hierarchy and how the operation is managed.
I think you have got to ask yourself how / where this new employ is going to fit into the team. Is he going to be a senior, middle, junior or even in charge?
It would be a huge mistake to employ the first guy and not give him any degree of seniority. He has effectively been managing his current / last job and putting him in at a junior level would be a waste of his talents.
Also what is the person who runs the yard like, does he micromanage / is he a control freak or does he let peole get on with it, trusting in their ability?
If he’s the first type then employing the first guy would be a disaster as he rightly or wrongly believes he knows best, after all he’s been doing the job for 25 years. The owner will spend his time dealing with the two of them bitching and moaning about each other which makes for a divided and unhappy work environment for all.
The secong guy is more malleable and can still be shaped / taught to do things differently. He’s also got that hunger to work hard and try and better himself and learn. If he has his own mare he’ll be even keener to learn. The trouble is if he doesn’t make headway quickly he’ll be off.
If it was my choice I’d go for the second guy – less politics, less hassle but it does depend where they are going to slot into the hierarchy and how the operation is managed.
If it's a happy relaxed environment already and the older guy isn't a control freak then he would be for me. Having said that I would have a ton of similarities to him and I wouldn't be able to handle the existing staff if they were in any way difficult.
If he really is a top guy though - and top yearing prep is an art - then perhaps he should be allowed to create his own team i.d.c. anyway.
The 2nd guy though is following a classic career trajectory though and maybe it is his time too. Although references are a bit of a problem perhaps here when care is called for, I would definitely be delving around for a little more background very discreely ofcourse.
If he really is a top guy though - and top yearing prep is an art - then perhaps he should be allowed to create his own team i.d.c. anyway.
The 2nd guy though is following a classic career trajectory though and maybe it is his time too. Although references are a bit of a problem perhaps here when care is called for, I would definitely be delving around for a little more background very discreely ofcourse.
out of interest what sort of pay would this person receive and what hours of work -roughly?
sammy,I've no idea about either hours or pay with the position above.I have been told there is a nice house going with the job and a car too,I'm sure mind the owner of the stud looking for a new stud groom would be generous with both pay and conditions.There is a sales bonus on offer and the stud do have a number of six figure sales each year.
Posh Paddy,the job is 'Stud Groom' and not to be confused with a groom working on a stud.The Stud Groom is 2nd only to the manager/owner,its a senior position.
Posh Paddy,the job is 'Stud Groom' and not to be confused with a groom working on a stud.The Stud Groom is 2nd only to the manager/owner,its a senior position.
OMG I just spent about 20mins typing out a post for this thread only for the site to go down and my post was lost!Anyway I wont re write all that but what I was asking in part of that is how many of you actually employ stud staff?Its funny in a way they are key to any studs success yet we never mention them.Do any of you have a Stud Groom or if your stud is a smaller set up do you do the lot yourselves?Is the traditional Stud Groom a dying breed nowadays?
Well I can certainly constructively contribute to the thread about ... losing your fricking typing The times. . .
I am a one man band as has been well documented on here. But Prima, I assumed that the Stud Groom is alive and well. Am I wide of the mark? If so how does it work these days?
The times. . .I am a one man band as has been well documented on here. But Prima, I assumed that the Stud Groom is alive and well. Am I wide of the mark? If so how does it work these days?
Yes Pot M the Stud Groom is very much alive at our studs,and its true most of the bigger set ups do have them,but I'm amazed at the number of smaller studs who don't have one today not in the traditional sense of the word.It works the same as its always done......they are your lynch pin and key to holding it all together.
We are a one couple band (unfortunately from the perspective of time off) but I do sometimes work for a larger operation - in my experience a relatively limited number of larger operations have old school Stud Grooms with the respect and ear of the owners. The rise of 'Yearling managers', Stud managers and more importantly bloodstock advisers to stud owners has eroded the role imho. Preping yearlings is not what the jobs just about but nuances of paddock management etc arent as sexy to stud owners. I'd be loathed to take a Stud Groom role but would be an ideal candidate (if I dont say so myself 
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Yes that's a good point the ever increasing role of managers,I know as we have various managers some could say far too many in fact.But we also have a couple of stud grooms working for us.They imo are key to the smooth running of any stud.
I can imagine how hard the work gets with just the two of you,and for Pot M doing it all on his own.Time off must seem to happen to other people.Good luck to you both,taking it all on without outside help shows a real commitment.I hope you all have success come sales time working like that I think you deserve it.......and a large drink after hitting the jackpot well hopefully anyway!
I can imagine how hard the work gets with just the two of you,and for Pot M doing it all on his own.Time off must seem to happen to other people.Good luck to you both,taking it all on without outside help shows a real commitment.I hope you all have success come sales time working like that I think you deserve it.......and a large drink after hitting the jackpot well hopefully anyway!
Nice words gratefully received PD. I do actually have two helpers and the eldest (6) held her first racehorse today as I dressed his leg so only matter of time until I can put my feet up.
I love the tone of this thread........much too posh to mention filthy lucre
Must either groom answer to his surname?
I presume a pre-requisite of securing the position is that one should know one's place?
I suspect the older candidate will be better-versed in the arcane rules of stud-groomery and will be always seen but rarely heard?
Must either groom answer to his surname?
I presume a pre-requisite of securing the position is that one should know one's place?
I suspect the older candidate will be better-versed in the arcane rules of stud-groomery and will be always seen but rarely heard?
There are so few "stud managers" jobs around these days. And because of this, the managers tend to stay in their jobs for as long as they can. It got me thinking; which young guns out there are the next boss of......Cheveley Park, Lanwades etc ????
I doubt anyone today needs to 'doff the cap' to anyone those days are gone.Just a quick update on the job I mentioned above,I understand the older man has decided to stay with his current employer.....The stud offering the position were disappointed in his decision not to leave,as they had themselves thought he was the best candidate after much consideration.
Personally I'm glad there are still some people who show loyalty in this industry.They didn't offer the job in the end to the younger man I've been told,not sure who they ended up with either.
Personally I'm glad there are still some people who show loyalty in this industry.They didn't offer the job in the end to the younger man I've been told,not sure who they ended up with either.
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