Assistant Starter (Summer 2026)

Title: Assistant Starter (Summer 2026)

Requisition ID#: 3818

Location:

New Kent, VA, US, 23124

Property: Colonial Downs & Rosie’s – New Kent

Pay Range

Colonial Downs Group (CDG) is owned and operated by Churchill Downs Incorporated and consists of several different brands across Virginia: Colonial Downs Racetrack, Rosie’s Gaming Emporium, Rosie’s Game Room, and Virginia Horseplay. CDG is an inclusive and fun place to work. We celebrate unique approaches and points of view. We believe diversity is a mindset that drives excellence. We’re always learning, evolving, and growing. We innovate through mutual respect of ideas and collaboration. This allows us to build a common language that inspires our team members and propels us toward the achievement of our vision.

Job Summary

Assistant Starters are responsible for assisting with the safe and efficient loading of racehorses into the starting gate and supporting starting gate operations during training and live race days. This is a seasonal position for the summer race meet at Colonial Downs.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Safely loads racehorses into the starting gate during training and live race events.
• Works directly with trainers to assist horses with entering and breaking from the starting gate.
• Operates in a fast-paced environment inside a tight, confined metal structure.
• Maintains a log of all horses that come to the starting gate during training hours.
• Reports any issues or concerns regarding horses or starting gate operations to the Racing Secretary.
• Assists with routine maintenance and upkeep of the starting gate.
• Keeps supervisor informed of relevant activities, concerns, or incidents.
• Resolves problems within the scope of authority and escalates issues beyond that scope to the supervisor.
• Attends required training sessions and follows all job-related instructions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

#colonialdownsracetrack

Required Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of Thoroughbred horses and horse behavior.
• Ability to work calmly and professionally with anxious or untrained horses.
• Strong situational awareness and ability to react quickly in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions and communicate effectively in one-on-one situations.
• Basic math skills, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with Company policies and state regulations.
  
  

Education And Experience

• One to two years of prior experience working with Thoroughbred horses preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Must be available to work all live race days at Colonial Downs.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Racing Commission racing license.
  
  

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• The Team Member will be required to stand and walk for the duration of the shift.
• While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, reach, handle, or feel objects, tools, equipment, or animals; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• The Team Member may be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• The Team Member must be able to work in close proximity to racehorses and inside a tight, confined metal structure (starting gate) in a fast-paced environment.
• The Team Member may be required to work long hours, including early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, and all live race days.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• The work environment may vary in levels of crowds, noise, animals, weather conditions, and other environmental factors associated with live racing and training operations.
  
  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Work With Us

Churchill Downs Incorporated is an inclusive and fun place to work. We celebrate unique approaches and points of view. We believe diversity is a mindset that drives excellence. We’re always learning, evolving and growing. We innovate through mutual respect of ideas and collaboration. This allows us to build a common language that inspires our team members and propels us toward the achievement of our vision.

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