By Jonny TurnerThe New Zealand thoroughbred racing industry is facing an employment crisis according to a leading administrator. Cooper helps facilitate industry employment opportunities as part of her role and has been consistently fielding calls from trainers across the country desperate to find staff. The reality most trackwork riders face is a minimal wage over long hours, something that is not lost on Cooper. As much as race riding and trackwork riding overlap, the shortages of both apprentices and emerging track riders are two different issues. Many trainers have turned to overseas workers to help top up local trackwork riding ranks, as well as apprenticeship jockey numbers.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 23, 2017 16:30 UTC