Horse Careers: Sales & Entrepreneurship

The following career pathway and salary information was provided by the Kentucky Equine Education Project. Descriptions were written through experience and Internet research. Salary ranges are averages for Thoroughbred industry-related jobs.

See examples of sales careers in this video about the Keeneland September Sale.

Consignor
Description: A consignor is generally a sales agent for a horse owner. It is the consignor's job to maximize the price a horse brings through the auction ring or through a private sale. This person will advertise the consigned animal, prepare it for sale, and provide it for show to the largest number of potential buyers.
Average Annual Earnings: 2.5% -5% commission on each horse’s sale price
Work Experience Required: 5+ years
On-the-Job Training: Long-term
Minimum Education Required: High School Diploma/GED

Bloodstock Agent
Description: Bloodstock agents are hired to buy and sell horses for breeding and racing. The agent will assist owners in evaluating horses and determining their worth, as well as understand their clients’ needs and budgets. They may also make recommendations on breeding and care facilities.
Average Annual Earnings: 5% commission on the purchase or sale of a horse
Work Experience Required: 5+ years
On-the-Job Training: Long-term
Minimum Education Required: High School Diploma/GED

Pinhooker
Description: A pinhooker is a person who makes a profit from buying horses and re-selling them after training or conditioning.
Average Annual Earnings: Commensurate w/horses’ sale prices
Work Experience Required: 5+ years
On-the-Job Training: Long-term
Minimum Education Required: High School Diploma/GED

Auctioneer
Description: In the horse industry, auctioneers sell horses, equipment, and farms at public sales. Many auctioneers are self-employed, meaning they are hired on a job-by-job basis, or they may be employed at a permanent sale company, such as Fasig-Tipton, the oldest Thoroughbred auction company in North America.
Average Annual Earnings: $45-70k
Work Experience Req: 5+ years
On-the-Job Training: Long-term
Minimum Education Required: High School Diploma/GED, possible licensure

Announcer
Description: The announcer position can be different, depending on the event. At Thoroughbred sales, the announcer reads the pedigree of the horse being sold before the auctioneer takes the bids of potential buyers. At a racetrack, the announcer calls out the running order of the horses in each race and what positions they are in. An announcer at a horse show will provide exhibitors directions from the judge and managers to keep the show moving, and they will also announce the winners of each class.
Average Annual Earnings: $35-50k
Work Experience Required: Less than 5 years
On-the-Job Training: Moderate-term
Minimum Education Required: High School Diploma/GED

Image from Bloodhorse.com

Image from bloodhorse.com

Bid-Spotter
Description: A bid-spotter helps the auctioneer see potential buyers to keep the sale moving forward. There may be several bid-spotters at a large auction.
Average Annual
Earnings: $30-45k
Work Experience Required: Less than 5 years
On-the-Job Training: Moderate-term
Minimum Education Required: High School Diploma/GED

Horse Sales Jobs (Seasonal)

Shedrow Foreman
Description: A shedrow foreman can be compared to a barn foreman, but they typically work on location at the horse sales. They make sure horses are being cared for properly, manage sales grooms, and ensure horses are being shown to potential buyers.
Average Daily Earnings: $300-350
Work Experience Required: More than one year
On-the-Job Training: Short-term
Minimum Education Required: High School Diploma/GED

Showman
Description: A showman presents horses to buyers at sales. A showman needs to be able to handle a horse well with a halter or bridle and may be asked to present a horse standing still, at the walk, and at a trot from all angles. A showman must ensure safety to the horse, themselves, and the buyers at all times.
Average Daily Earnings:$150-250
Work Experience Required: Less than one year
On-the-Job Training: Short-term Minimum
Education Required: High School Diploma/GED

Sales Groom
Description: A sales groom prepares horses for sale by bathing and brushing the horses and then keeping them clean during the length of the sale. This may also require keeping the stalls mucked frequently.
Average Daily Earnings:$130-200
Work Experience Required: Less than one year
On-the-Job Training: Short-term
Minimum Education Required: High School Diploma/GED or equivalent industry training