'Tradition a stupid excuse for lack of time off' says stable staff supremo

Using tradition as a reason to not give workers appropriate time off has been derided by National Association of Racing Staff (Nars) chief executive, who warned the challenges his members may face in 2020 could leave them in for a "rough ride".

George McGrath, was speaking on Wednesday night at the organisation's annual general meeting, which took place for the first time in Lambourn.

McGrath addressed a number points, including what impact the government's maximum FOBT stake reduction and subsequent betting shop closures would have on the industry, questions the sport faced from anti-racing bodies and issues surrounding mental health.

He said: "The struggle to achieve anything close to resembling a work/life balance, the reality of mental health issues, which society is only just beginning to understand, and the fight to get respect, recognition and be treated as a professional in the workplace is real.

"All of this before you've gone near a half ton of racehorse who may or may not want you anywhere near it, or on top of it! So put a finger in your neckstrap, 2020 could be a rough ride!"

An agreement was reached in December between Nars and the National Trainers Federation to implement a new 40-hour week with overtime calculated at time and a half as opposed to double pay on Sunday.

"This has changed the way some yards are now working, particularly in Newmarket, while in other areas it has not yet bedded in," said McGrath, whose audience included BHA chief executive Nick Rust.

"The reality is that the agreement is in place but if you don't write down the hours you work above the 40, provide dates, and submit the overtime sheet to your office you won't get paid for the overtime you have worked."

Striking the right balance between work and time off was a consistent challenge for Nars, McGrath outlined.

"We all know horses and working with them is a 24-7-52 job, but it doesn't have to be that way for every rider and groom working in racing," he added.

"Saturdays are generally the busiest days racing and yet 50 per cent of the staff get every Saturday evening off. My argument, therefore, is if we, as staff and industry, can service the fixture list on a Saturday with 50 per cent of the staff off rota, then why do we all have to go back every evening from Monday to Friday? After all, we have just proven that we can exercise the horses, get them to the races and home again on the busiest day of the week with half the workforce off rota.

"The answer is the traditional mindset of most trainers who do things on no other basis other than that is how it has always been done, it's called tradition, I call it stupid."

McGrath praised ITV's efforts to highlight the roles of grooms and said those instances are the best place to "convey how much love and hard work goes into getting a horse to the races".

"I wonder what Animal Aid would think if they knew what a racehorse's life actually looked like?" he said.

McGrath, whose racing career began as an apprentice to Ian Balding, a period that included a ride for the Queen, also implored those gathered at the Lambourn Sports Club not to suffer in silence.

"It is only through the members contacting Nars that we can be as effective as possible," he continued. "It is frustrating to hear about issues ranging from racecourse facilities to bullying in the workplace when the information is several days old. Help Nars, help you."

McGrath went on to detail his concerns regarding mental health, saying: "If there is a sector in racing who are under more pressure than staff on a day-to-day basis, I don't know them.

"It's not soft to need help, it takes courage and character to seek help. Don't wait until you hit rock bottom, use the service, it's there for you."

Stable staff: ITV's efforts to highlight the roles of grooms was praisedCredit: Edward Whitaker

Far from having a single-minded approach, McGrath is keen to work with others in the sport.

"It is a Nars aim to improve the social and economic wellbeing of its members, but to achieve that goal British racing must prosper and grow, without prosperity and growth in British racing, the employers and stakeholders cannot provide the world-class package Nars demands for its members," he reasoned.

Nars's report also included its "intention to ensure that all racecourses will provide a meal free of charge and we will continue to strive towards this".

However, "the biggest stumbling block is the 15 Arc-owned racecourses. The staff will not be surprised that Arc racecourses are consistently poor in their obligations and responsibilities towards the racing staff".

Read The Briefing from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news