What age do most jockeys retire?

Most jockeys begin their training between the ages of 16 and 22. There's no maximum age limit, but the average retirement age is between 40 and 50 years old, which is when many jockeys move on to becoming trainers or agents.

At what age do jockeys usually retire?

Jockeys usually retire from riding by age 45 (35 for jump jockeys). At the end of the racing career, Jockeys can get advice on retraining and employment from the Jockeys Employment and Training Scheme.

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 is the oldest jockey in the Derby?

Jon Court is featured this week. He was 58 when he became the oldest jockey to compete in the Kentucky Derby, riding Long Range Toddy to a troubled 16th-place finish in 2019. Court is on the Derby trail again with Willis Horton's homebred Ben Diesel.

What is the career span of a jockey?

Much like in golf, the career of a professional jockey can stretch for three decades or, for a select few, even longer. Unlike golfers, however, jockeys must endure the incredible strain (and the life-threatening danger) of sitting on top of thousand-pound animals running in packs as fast as automobiles.

At What Age Do Most People Retire?

How long is the career of a jockey?

Only 40% (131/331) of apprentices completed their apprenticeship training. Half of the jockeys who did not complete their apprenticeship during the time period were lost within a year of their first race day ride. For those who did complete their apprenticeship, their median career length was 6.5 years.

What is the average weight of a jockey?

The word "jockey" originated from England and was used to describe the individual who rode horses in racing. They must be light, typically around a weight of 100-120 lb., and physically fit. They are typically self-employed and are paid a small fee from the horse trainer and a percentage of the horse's winnings.

How much do jockeys make a year?

The salaries of Horse Jockeys in the US range from $10,049 to $271,427 , with a median salary of $48,880 . The middle 57% of Horse Jockeys makes between $48,882 and $123,036, with the top 86% making $271,427.

Who had the longest career as a jockey?

All told, Bill Shoemaker rode in a record 40,350 races. In 1990, he was voted the Mike Venezia Memorial Award for "extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship".

Who is the most famous jockey of all time?

Sir Gordon Richards is considered to be the best jockey of all time. During his career, he won 4,870 races, winning the British Flat Racing Champion Jockey title a record 26 times. Richards was born on May 5, 1904, in Donnington Wood, England.

Who is the oldest female jockey?

ThistleDown Racino became home to racing's eldest female jockey to win a thoroughbred race in North America today. Diane King, 67, won in the 8th race today at ThistleDown, riding her own horse, Ledgehill.

What is the top salary for a jockey?

What is the life of a jockey like?

A jockey's life off the horse is grueling and, at times, dangerous. The spectre haunting almost every rider is extra weight. In the trade, the scale is sometimes called “the Oracle.” It's an apt name — the scale decides which jockeys are light enough to be allowed to race.

What is a female horse rider called?

horsewoman. a woman horseman. jockey. someone employed to ride horses in horse races. postilion, postillion.

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.

What is a jockey diet?

Training diet for jockeys

Jockeys should try to eat three meals per day with foods from each of the food groups; breads and cereals, fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy.

How do jockeys lose weight fast?

Do jockeys get paid if they don't win?

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 you need a degree to be a jockey?

Formal schooling is not required to become a jockey. However, if you would like to take courses in horse care, nutrition, fitness and technology, you may choose to apply to the North American Racing Academy in Kentucky, which is the only jockey college program in the country.

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 many horses can a jockey ride in one day?

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 hard is it to be a jockey?

First and foremost, being a jockey is no easy way to make a living. It is a tough demanding life, physically, emotionally, mentally, and even dietary. There are no guarantees, no off seasons, and the competition gets tougher with more success and recognition. Staying on top is as hard or even harder than getting there.

How tall should 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.