AGRICULTURAL NEWS - The thoroughbred breeding community is making strides in farm worker upliftment with an innovative Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) initiative, providing grooms working on South African stud farms with the tools they need to make progress in their careers or pursue success in their own business enterprises.
For generations, South Africa’s stud farms have produced some of the world’s most celebrated racehorses. Typically purchased at auctions such as those held by Bloodstock South Africa (BSA), the sales arm of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA), horses that have the right pedigree and physical attributes can command prices that reach into the millions.
A fundamental aspect of presenting a high-quality Thoroughbred on auction day, and one that seldom attracts much attention, is the attentive stud farm groom who is responsible for a horse’s care until it is ready for sale.
Grooms act as caretakers, nurturers, and guides to young thoroughbreds and if a foal shows any sign of injury or a change in attitude, the groom is usually the first to notice. To a large extent, they shoulder the responsibility of rearing a healthy, strong racehorse capable of commanding a top price at auction.
Stud farms are usually situated in rural areas and are an important source of employment to local communities. However, low levels of education amongst rural farm workers can make it difficult for grooms to fully understand the complexities of the stud farm business and thus to rise up in the stud farm industry, despite the important role they play.
Upskilling the grooms
To address this shortfall, a partnership between the Cape Breeders Club, Elsenburg Agricultural College, Singayenza Economic Development Practitioners, headed by Samantha Sharkey, and the Graham & Rhona Beck Skills Centre, was formed to develop a skills training programme specific to the racehorse breeding industry. The training consists of three modules: the Professional Groom’s Certificate, the Professional Head Groom’s Certificate and the Yard Manager’s Certificate.
The modules each consist of two components: the first is a technical skills component that aims to upskill the grooms and provide them with a more specialised understanding of their field.
The second is a business skills component that focusses on teaching the basics of business management, with an emphasis on the thoroughbred breeding industry. This component was developed to equip grooms with the knowledge required to pursue success in their own commercial endeavors.
