For more than 20 years, Westbury Stud has been operating at the top end of the New Zealand thoroughbred industry; breeding elite racehorses who consistently out-perform on the global stage.

Spread over two picturesque properties we are seeking an experienced and dedicated Stud Groom Team Leader who enjoys the fast pace of the breeding season to join our team at Westbury Stud, Karaka to oversee the Dry Mare division. As a Stud Groom Team Leader, you will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the dry mare division, ensuring high standards of horse care, staff collaboration and operational efficiency. The role plays a key part in achieving optimal conception rates during the breeding season.

Our roster ensures you receive 4 days off every fortnight (even in the breeding season), providing a great work-life balance year-round.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Team Management:

– Maintaining a high level of Health & Safety in all areas of the farm at all times

– Create an inspiring team environment with a communicative, positive and motivational culture

– Train and supervise staff in the daily care of the broodmares and foals, weanlings, yearlings and spelling horses as well as assist with staff professional development, reviews and roster implementation

– Allocate daily tasks including teasing, scanning, vet handling and mare movement

– Ensure all staff understand handling protocols and prioritize reproductive hygiene and safety

– Assist with the planning and delivery of staff professional development, reviews and roster implementation

– Work in conjunction with other team leaders to ensure an effective and efficient workflow across all divisions

Task Management:

– Maintaining a high level of Health & Safety in all areas of the farm

– Planning, organising and leading the day-to-day care of bloodstock ensuring the highest industry standards are applied to the bloodstock’s care, safety and wellbeing at all times

– Track and manage the reproductive cycle of each mare (e.g. oestrus behaviour, teasing response, follicle development)

– Liaise closely with vets during reproductive scans and treatments

– Overseeing teasing programmes

– Assisting the veterinarians (including the administration of treatments), farriers and and other treatment providers

– Recognising horse lameness and/or illness requiring veterinarian or farrier attention

– Maintain accurate records, for all scans, covers, treatments, animal health and movements

– Schedule and coordinate mare covers in accordance with optimal timing practices

– Communicate clearly with the Stallion Team Leader or external providers to align breeding logistics

– Ensure mares are presented for cover clean, on time and handled safely

– Monitor post-cover progress (e.g. checking for ovulation or fluid retention) and ensure follow-up treatments are administered as needed

– Assisting in and implementing feed regimes for horses

– Assist with coverings as and when required

– Ensuring all areas are maintained in an orderly manner including cleanliness of stables, barns and paddocks

– Provide daily plans, reports and updates on work schedules, conception rates, problem mares and follow-up plans

– Provide operational support: assisting and supporting all other teams as and when required (e.g. weaning, yearling preparation and spelling racehorses) to support an efficient workflow across all areas

– Assisting Stud Management & the Head of Operations.

About You:

– Formal qualifications are not a requirement but they will be regarded favourably

– Experience supervising, training and motivating staff to deliver consistent, high-quality work

– As a Stud Groom Team Leader in the dry mare division, you will ideally have a minimum of 2 years of experience as a Broodmare Manager/Team Leader or 5 years of experience as a Senior Stud Groom/Assistant/2IC in a Broodmare division

– In-depth knowledge and proven experience of thoroughbred breeding, foaling and mare and foal care

– Prior experience working in a serving barn environment

– A deep understanding of equine health, nutrition, behaviour and basic first aid is essential

– A high level of experience and confidence in of horse handling ability and understanding

– Strong, clear communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills along with the ability to motivate, delegate effectively and foster a positive and collaborative team environment

– As a leader of people, you will also have a solid foundation of soft skills such as empathy and compassion, patience and persistence, integrity and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and unexpected situations

– Excel at planning and prioritising, with a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility and a keen eye for detail

– This role involves a high level of physical activity (ie handling young horses, leading horses, standing around for long periods of time, walking on rough terrain and repetitive movements). It also involves working outdoors in all weather conditions

– Passionate about horse welfare and team wellbeing

– Hold a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

We offer a competitive salary which will reflect your experience and expertise. We also offer onsite accommodation and the incentive of further training and career progression through professional development and mentoring. The usual hours will be 40 hours per week from 7:30am – 4:30pm, as per our ten days on by four days off roster system, which has been designed to assist with a better work, life balance.

Vacancies are available for an immediate start, or we can accommodate a mutually agreeable start date.

If you are passionate about the care and management of broodmares and young stock, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Please send a cover letter and CV outlining your experience to vacancies@westburystud.com or follow the ‘Apply Now’ link and lodge your application directly through our recruitment platform.

All applications and expressions of interest are received in the strictest of confidence.