How much do jockeys get paid?

Prize Money

The percentages a jockey receives for a Thoroughbred race range from 5% for a second- or third-place finish to 10% for first place. In less competitive races, the jockey's earnings can be as low as 0.50% for a third-place finish, 1% for placing second and perhaps 6%-10% for first place.

Do jockeys make good money?

Their salary is based on the class level of the race they are competing in, how many races they compete in, and what place they take in the race. A jockey can earn anywhere from just $28 to $184,000 or more per race. To become a jockey takes skill, dedication, experience, and patience.

How much does a jockey get per ride?

Jockeys are entitled to 5% of the prize money earned and will usually also receive a small amount for booking the ride. That will be $220,000 in 2020. The winning jockey is entitled to 5% of the prize money earned.

How much do UK jockeys earn?

The best jockeys make more money by riding more rather than charging more. It all means any rider with a full book of rides can expect to earn roughly £700 per day on the Flat and £1,000 over jumps – before their share of any prize-money is factored in.

Do jockeys get 10% of winnings?

Prize Money

The percentages a jockey receives for a Thoroughbred race range from 5% for a second- or third-place finish to 10% for first place. In less competitive races, the jockey's earnings can be as low as 0.50% for a third-place finish, 1% for placing second and perhaps 6%-10% for first place.

How Much Money Do Jockeys Make?

How do jockeys make a living?

Rather than earn a salary, a jockey receives a “mounting fee” (often $50-$110) for each race, riding sometimes eight races per day. The real money for jockeys comes from prize money, if they can ride a horse to finish first, second or third in a race and earn part of the purse.

Who pays the jockeys?

Jockeys are professional horse racers that horse trainers and owners hire to race their horses in competitions. Jockeys are often self-employed and charge a fee for their racing services plus possible commission and bonuses for good performances.

What is the max age to be a jockey?

A person has to be a minimum of 16 years old to apply for a jockey license. The oldest jockey to still compete at the highest levels was 58 years old (Bill Shoemaker). The average age in this profession is currently about 40 years old. What is this?

Is it hard to be a jockey?

Becoming a jockey can take several years of hard work. No one decides to become a jockey one day and rides in a professional race the next. For most of its history, there has been no formal training program or career path for jockeys.

Do jockeys keep all their earnings?

A simple rule of thumb is that jockeys get eight percent[2], but that's only true on average. According to the Jockeys' Guild, the winning jockey gets ten percent of the first place prize money, and the second and third place jockeys get five percent of the second and third place prize money.

Why do jockeys sit so high?

Jockeys "don't follow the movement of the horse but stay relatively stationary," says co-author Alan Wilson. By, in effect, floating above his mount, the jockey saves the energy the horse would otherwise expend to shove him back up after each bounce down into the saddle.

Are jockeys skilled?

Finally, jockeys need to have excellent tactical skills, as they need to be able to develop a strategy for the race and make adjustments as needed. They need to be able to read the other horses and jockeys, as well as the racecourse to determine the best path to the finish line.

Is a jockey a career?

A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used to describe the individual who rode horses in racing.

How tall is the average jockey?

While there is no height restriction, most jockeys tend to be around 4-foot-10 and 5-foot-6 due to the weight restriction. While it's imperative that jockeys ride horses as they race, there are more benefits to having a buddy on the tracks than just companionship.

Is it illegal for a jockey to own a horse?

“The dumbest rule in racing.” That's how attorney Bill Gotimer said TVG analysts have described New York's Commission Rule 4040.2 which reads: “No jockey, nor such jockeys' spouse, parent, issue nor member of such jockey's household, shall be the owner of any race horse.

Are female jockeys allowed?

Since 1977, female jockeys have been allowed in the Grand National horse race following the passing of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

Do you have to be skinny to be a jockey?

Strict weight requirements

This includes about 7 lbs. of gear, so that an adult male must weigh less than 119 lbs. in order to participate in the Kentucky Derby. There is no height requirement, however, jockeys tend to be shorter due to this weight requirement.

How much do jockeys make monthly?

For an individual filer in this tax bracket, you would have an estimated average federal tax in 2018 of 22%. After a federal tax rate of 22% has been taken out, Horse Jockeys could expect to have a take-home pay of $45,196/year, with each paycheck equaling approximately $1,883 ^*. * assuming bi-monthly pay period.

Can anybody be a jockey?

You can apply if you're aged 16 or over and work at least 16 hours a week in a licensed racing stable. There are no qualification requirements.

How much does the jockey get for winning the Everest?

It's the deepest of prize pools and with the jockeys taking home five percent of prize money, it makes for a very good – or possibly spectacular – day. Naturally, the twelve rides on Everest day are very, very highly sort after, meaning the cohort of riders includes some of the very best.

Do jockeys have contracts?

A jockey contracts with the horse's owner or trainer and may ride as many as 10 horses in a single day. A jockey usually specializes in a specific type of racing, such as steeplechase, jump racing, or thoroughbred racing.

How do jockeys stay so small?

“Starvation is still a very common practice in that the jockey may not eat for 24 hours or more before a race, and combine this with a sauna or hot bath.” Among Irish jockeys, 14% use vomiting as a method for meeting weight requirements, Dr McGoldrick and his team found in a 2011 study into dieting habits.

Do jockeys talk during races?

shoulder. Jockeys do talk to each other during races. The day after he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on The Dikler and celebrated into the early hours, a badly hungover Ron Barry only won a race at Uttoxeter thanks to two fellow jockeys shouting a warning to him and his mount every time they approached a hurdle.