This unit of competency supports trainers and others to select horses for racing.

The unit focuses on the competencies associated with preparing horses of various ages and abilities for Australian racing programs. Harness and thoroughbred racing occurs under different conditions consequently when performance criteria are applied they will relate to harness or thoroughbred horses and statements of attainment for this unit will reflect this distinction.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Profile a racehorse.

1. Characteristics of racehorse types are identified.

2. Features of conformation are evaluated.

3. Race times and track records are researched.

4. Racing program aims are determined.

Evaluate pedigrees.

5. Pedigree information is interpreted.

6. Racing breeding theories are evaluated.

7. Features of prominent racing lines are identified.

Evaluate horses available.

8. Options for racing horses are identified.

9. Specialist advice is sought to evaluate horse health and fitness for racing.

10. Input from staff regarding horse performance is gathered.

11. Horses available are ranked based on racing program aims, pedigree, general health and price range affordability.

Re-evaluate horse's racing career.

12. Horse's progress in racing program is evaluated.

13. Options for horse's future are discussed.

14. Horse's future is determined with consideration to animal welfare issues.

Required skills

analysing information provided by staff

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

communicating with horse specialists and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to selecting horses for racing

complying with animal welfare policies in care and management of horses

decision making

determining desired extent of participating in racing and how this may influence the type of horse selected

evaluating conformation features of nominated horses

evaluating potential influence of ancestors to characteristics and potential of nominated horses

evaluating racing breeding theories and rationalising influence of pedigree and other factors to potential performance

identifying current popular sires

identifying current prominent racehorses

identifying prominent racing family lines

interpreting basic genetic terminology

interpreting statistical racing information, including breeding performance, track times, race sectional times and winners

listing track records for major feature races

rationalising horse's future in racing based on performance, health and injury status

relating horse's temperament to racing potential

reading and interpreting racing pedigrees and breeding theories

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing

relating pedigree and conformation to potential performance in various race distances and types

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

basic genetic theory of inheritance of traits

characteristics of successful racehorses of various racing types

common horse behaviour, social traits and vices

features of healthy and fit racehorses

features of conformation of racehorses

illnesses and injuries that may impact on a horse's potential in racing

industry terminology related to breeding and racing horses

life span of horses and likely length of racing career

popular racing breeding theories

racing industry animal welfare requirements

role of horse temperament in racing potential

statistical information related to breeding performance

track records for prominent races

types of pedigree layout.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and processes that are to apply when determining a horse's suitability for racing

preparation and timely application of criteria for the safe, effective and efficient selection of horses for racing or alternative future options

working with others to select horses for racing that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time and be focused on selection and decision making processes applying to a range of racehorses of different ages and sexes, at different stages of their racing career and housed in a racing stable. Theoretical components can be assessed in a simulated situation but must be related to racing industry conditions and contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency may be assessed in an actual workplace or simulated environment that provides access to the required resources. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

This unit includes practical aspects as well as the research, interpretation and evaluation of data. Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

a variety of harness or thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to assess conformation, pedigree and race type features of horses for racing

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

inspection of completed work

simulation exercises.

Where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

RTE3148A Assess conformation of horses.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to select horses for racing. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred racing stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Profiling a racehorse may include:

assessment of pedigree and performance of close relatives

conformation evaluation

health and injury status

performance if any of nominated horse.

Characteristics of racehorse types include:

climate adaptability

horses that prefer to lead versus those who prefer cover

racehorse types:

all weather runners versus particular weather specialists

distance versus sprinting types

track direction preferences

track type preferences

temperament and ability to settle into training and racing

variations in behaviour and management requirements, based on age and sex.

Features of conformation may include:

balance and proportion of body

conformational faults that may affect racing performance

front leg structural features

hind leg structural features

structural features of feet and hooves.

Racing program aims may include:

longer term performance in feature races

race class

race distance

race location, including:

country

metropolitan

picnic

provincial

race start type.

Pedigree information may include:

dam line pedigree styles

methods used in pedigrees to identify race performance, such as black type

personal knowledge of family is used, such as previous close relations in stable or similar

sire line pedigree styles

suffix details commonly used in pedigrees for horses, for example import country

terminology used in describing relationship between ancestors and other relations for horses.

Racing breeding theories may include:

Bruce Lowe

cluster mares

cross-breeding

dosage pedigrees

inbreeding

influence of dam on progeny performance

influence of environment on performance potential

influence of sire on progeny performance

line breeding

nicks

outbreeding

race records and statistical information

taproot pedigrees

Tesio

Varola.

Features of prominent racing lines may include:

consistency of type within progeny of nominated sire or dam

consistency of race performance of nominated sire or dam, for example producers of 2 year old winners

current successful dams based on:

dam's race record

number of foals to race

number of winners to starters

prize money earned by progeny

current successful sires based on:

number of runners for winners

number of winners to starters

prize money earned by progeny

sire's race record

sale price of yearlings

race performance of related progeny within a three generation pedigree

reputation of stallion as producer of successful broodmares.

Options for racing horses may include:

affordability of price range

racing as an owner-trainer

leasing horses to race

syndicating horses to race

purchasing a share in a horse

purchasing a horse and engaging a trainer

selecting a horse with racing performance versus selecting a yearling

breeding a horse to race.

Specialist advice may include:

bloodstock agent assessment

farrier assessment

trainer advice

veterinary advice and testing, including:

x-ray

blood test

endoscope

suitability for racing assessment, including:

metabolic efficiency

respiratory soundness

structural soundness

racing fitness testing.

Options for horse's future may include:

changing racing location:

to change climate

to change quality of competition

to change racing direction

changing trainer

retiring horse from racing

selecting appropriate race distance

selecting appropriate race type, such as country versus metropolitan start

spelling horse.

Horse's future may include:

ensuring adequate provision is made for feed, water shelter, exercise and companionship if horse is to be retired

euthanasing horse with serious injuries or poor prognosis

identifying potential other uses for horse that is retired from racing, such as re-homing to equestrian or pleasure riding or driving situation

leasing horse to other racing team

reviewing horse's needs after retirement if horse does not cope with paddock life

selling horse to other racing home

sending horse to stud.

Unit Sector

Harness and thoroughbred racing codes

This unit contains employability skills.