Role: Tote and Marketing Manager
Company: Down Royal Racecourse
Track Record: With a keen interest in the equine industry and a flair for marketing Molly McCluskey turned a temporary position into a successful career, expanding her skill set along the way.
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
After I completed my BVC I worked as a paralegal with Birketts in Norwich, before moving to LPC in London. I moved back to Belfast in 2007 and started with Down Royal in 2008. My job covers work across marketing, digital, legal and tote management.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Latin.
Did you go on to further/ higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I studied at the University of Essex where I gained a degree in Law, following that I completed a Commercial Law Masters at University of Bristol and completed my Bar exams at University of West England, Bristol. I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practise in 2010.
How did you get into your area of work?
I’ve always had a keen interest in the equine industry, and throughout my time at university I completed a diploma in the racing and breeding industry. Initially the position at Down Royal was a temporary one to cover management of the Tote but fortunately for me I’ve been given the freedom to expand it out to make full use of my skill set and I’ve learnt a lot of new ones as well along the way.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
When I was very young I really wanted to become a vet, unfortunately I wasn’t quite good enough at the Sciences. Fortunately, my role at Down Royal still allows me to maintain a keen interest in the equine industry whilst also helping further the success of the racecourse.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
Nothing set in stone but I do feel along that a keen interest in the racing industry helps. I have always found most people in the equine industry have a great can-do approach to most things and a strong work ethic – both of which will stand you in good stead in this field of work.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
Our team come from a wide range of previous careers and all bring their strengths from those particular careers into their roles at Down Royal so there can be many different routes to working here which can only be of benefit to the racecourse.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
As we are a small team at Down Royal, it’s really important to be flexible, patient and prepared to put in a bit extra when required. Good communication skills are key, not only to co-ordinate our own staff but being able to build good relations with sponsors, suppliers, trainers and the press so that we can ensure the Festival of Racing in June and November is always as successful as possible.
What does a typical day entail?
With the various events we prepare for during the year, no day is ever really the same. Currently, we are in full preparation for the Down Royal Festival of Racing on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 November. This means working with sponsors to ensure their exposure ahead of the festival, preparing the course and site to welcome over 12,000 people, and working with our bar and catering providers to bring the best customer experience to everyone at Down Royal over the two days.
The festival weekend really gives local fans the opportunity to see the greats of the racing world right on their own doorstep and we want to make sure everything is in place to maximise on this.
Off the track, Victoria Square’s Best Dressed Lady competition is a celebration of true racing style. The winner this year gets a five day trip to Cape Town which is incredible so we’re working hard to provide the best facilities for all racegoers to thank those who make the effort to dress up and enter this competition.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The Festival of Racing in November is the pinnacle of our year and makes all our hard work worthwhile. It’s so exciting to be part of a sporting occasion that attracts the best of the National Hunt world to Northern Ireland. We do all we can to ensure the festival delivers a great day for our customers, partners and sponsors, and that all the horses go home safe. Achieving that is very rewarding.
Down Royal is a fantastic day out for everyone of all ages. The action on the track is amazing for punters, but equally with the amazing food, style and entertainment it’s a really great day out for businesses to treat their staff or clients, or for groups of friends who have had no prior interest in horse racing. We’ve worked hard to ensure that the racecourse is seen not only as a sporting, but also as a premier social and hospitality destination.
Why is what you do important?
It’s so important as we are maintaining the reputation and level of professionalism associated with the Down Royal brand. Established in the 17th Century, Down Royal has been bringing world class races to Northern Ireland for years and is one of the fore runners in the industry.
Also facilitating that platform for people who have had no prior interest in horse racing and seeing them back at Down Royal time and time again – that’s a great feeling.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Keep the quality of the racing and the theatre of the race day as your focus and build everything else around that.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
With so much going on at Down Royal all the time there is little time to think about much else and I wouldn’t change that.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
No matter how busy the day is always take the time to run round the track at lunchtime – you’ll always feel better for it!
Describe your ideal day off.
Riding my horse, taking my boys and the dog to the beach, having a swim and building a campfire.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
Find something you love doing and learn it as you go if you have to!