Seasonal Stud Groom – Karaka
For more than 20 years, Westbury Stud has operated at the top end of the New Zealand thoroughbred industry, breeding and preparing elite racehorses that consistently perform on the global stage.
We are seeking Seasonal Stud Grooms to join the team at our Karaka farm for the upcoming breeding and yearling preparation season.
Depending on your experience and interests, you may work primarily within either our Broodmare Division or our Yearling Division. These are fixed-term, full-time positions available for an immediate start, or a mutually agreed start date by early October, through until the end of January 2027.
Our roster provides four days off every fortnight, including during the breeding season, helping provide a better balance during a busy time of year.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Duties will vary depending on whether you are working with the broodmare or yearling team and may include:
- Providing horses with a consistently high standard of care.
- Safely handling broodmares, youngstock, yearlings and racehorse spellers.
- Assisting with broodmare reproductive work, teasing and preparing mares for service.
- Assisting with the education and preparation of yearlings for sale.
- Presenting yearlings during inspections and assisting at sales when required.
- Exercising horses using the horse walker and fitting rollers or side reins where appropriate.
- Moving horses safely between paddocks, yards and stables.
- Preparing and feeding horses in accordance with established feeding programmes.
- Mucking out boxes, completing yard work and undertaking general stable duties.
- Monitoring horses and reporting any signs of illness, injury or changes in behaviour.
- Keeping stables, yards, equipment and shared work areas clean, tidy and presentable.
- Completing daily records, movement sheets and sick horse reports as required.
- Following all farm health and safety procedures.
- Assisting with any other reasonable duties required by your Team Leader or Manager.
About You
You will ideally have:
- Solid practical horse-handling experience.
- Confidence safely handling young, fit or inexperienced horses.
- A calm, patient and gentle approach around animals.
- A reliable, mature and responsible attitude to work.
- Good attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions.
- The physical fitness required for a practical, hands-on role.
- The ability to work well as part of a team while also using your initiative.
- Flexibility and resilience during the busy breeding and yearling preparation season.
- A willingness to learn and develop your skills.
Previous thoroughbred stud, racing stable, breeding or veterinary experience would be an advantage but is not essential where applicants can demonstrate strong horse-handling ability.
These are full-time positions, generally working from 7:30am to 4:30pm on a ten-days-on, four-days-off roster.
Please note:
- These positions are fixed term and are expected to finish at the end of January 2027.
- On-site accommodation is not available.
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Applicants must already have the legal right to work in New Zealand. These positions are not available to applicants who require employer-supported work visas.
Please apply through our HR platform by clicking the Apply button.
All applications and expressions of interest will be treated in the strictest confidence.
