How much does a jockey 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.

How much does a jockey get per ride?

This ranges from 8.5 to nine per cent of winning prize-money over jumps, depending on the race. It is 6.9 per cent on the Flat. Under both codes they take home 3.5 per cent of placed prize-money.

Do horse jockeys make a lot of 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 do jockeys get paid in England?

Jump Jockeys receive around 11.03% of the win prize and 3.44% of the place prize. The riding fee is negotiated annually between the PJA and the ROA. The current riding fees are: Flat – £157.90 and Jump – £214.63. A breakdown of income and expenses is available to Members in their Members Handbook.

Do jockeys get paid per race?

Jockeys are some of the original “gig workers” because they work as independent contractors. Rather than earn a salary, a jockey receives a “mounting fee” — typically $25-$150 — for each race, riding sometimes eight races per day.

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.

How tall can a jockey be?

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 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.

What is the best paid horse job?

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.

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?

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.

Do jockeys have to be male?

“This study confirms what we already knew and have been saying all along, that female jockeys can be just as good as male jockeys. I hope this study helps to persuade more owners and trainers to give female jockeys a chance in the saddle, especially in the bigger races.”

What do jockeys do after a race?

What does a jockey do after a race? After the race, the winning and placed jockeys will unsaddle in the Winner's Enclosure. This gives punters the chance to see the victorious horses come in to celebrate a successful race.

Do jockeys have to train?

They often start work with early morning training sessions and may be required to train and/or compete on weekends and public holidays. Jockeys must follow a strict diet and personal training program in order to keep their weight at specific levels.

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.

Why do jockeys weigh in?

After the race the jockey must weigh in with all his kit, to confirm that the horse carried the right weight. When all the jockeys have been weighed after a race, you will hear the racecourse commentator announce “Weighed in.

What happens if a jockey is overweight?

If the rider is too heavy, he may be replaced by another rider, or be permitted to carry 'overweight', which will always be announced on the racecourse before a race begins. However, no rider is allowed to weigh out at four pounds or more over the weight he is set to carry.

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.

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.

Who is the most famous jockey of all time?

1: Bill Shoemaker

This USA jockey was born in 1931 and tallied 8,883 career wins – earning $123,375,524 as a jockey and over $3,700,000 as a trainer. He has ridden 11 US Triple Crown winners and had a career strike rate of over 21% – so basically around one out of every five horses he rode, won.

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.