What is the perfect jockey size?

Jockeys racing on the flat typically stand around 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) to 5 ft 7 in (170 cm). Jump jockeys are often taller, with multiple examples over 5 ft 10 in (178 cm).

What is the ideal jockey size?

The Kentucky Derby requires the jockeys weigh a maximum of 126 pounds, which includes the jockey and the gear. So, ultimately the jockeys should not weigh more than 119 pounds, according to Bustle. While there is no height restriction, most jockeys tend to be around 4-foot-10 and 5-foot-6 due to the weight restriction.

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.

Are smaller jockeys better?

The reason jockeys are often so light is to protect the health of the horse. Thoroughbreds are very durable, but carrying too much weight can cause the horse unnecessary pain.

What is the average height and weight for a female jockey?

In the US, the average male is about 5'9” tall and weighs close to 200 pounds. US women aren't far behind, with an average of 5'4” and 170 pounds. The average male thoroughbred jockey, in contrast, is 5'2” and weighs 113; women riders have it a bit easier, averaging only 107 pounds for the same 5'2” average height.

What it takes to be a jockey

How heavy is too heavy for a jockey?

There are horse carrying weight limits that are set by racing authorities. The Kentucky Derby, for example, has a weight limit of 126 lb (57 kg) including the jockey's equipment. The weight of a jockey racing on the flat usually ranges from 108 to 118 lb (49 to 54 kg).

Is there a weight limit for jockeys?

Jockeys must be at least 16 years old. There is no set height or weight requirement, but the majority of jockeys do not weigh more than 125 pounds, many even less, with height (usually around 5 feet tall) or proportionate to their weight.

Why can't jockeys have a beard?

So why don't they? The likely truth, say racing historians, is the sport's long history and traditionalist roots have created a culture where it is frowned upon for jockeys to sport beards or facial hair.

What do jockeys eat to lose weight?

Training diet for jockeys

High fibre, low glycaemic index carbohydrate-rich foods (for example wholegrain bread, high fibre breakfast cereals or fruit) will be more satisfying and help with weight control compared to low fibre options.

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.

Why do jockeys weigh themselves after the race?

Most people probably know that jockeys are weighed both before and after a race to ensure they are carrying the weight printed in the program or on the changes list, but unless you've spent time in the jocks' room, you may not know the finer points of how the process works.

What is the average age of jockeys?

Q: What is the average age of a horse 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.

Why are jockeys weighed after a race?

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 is the perfect jockey position?

The perfect position

The perfect race-riding stance is commonly referred to as “the martini glass” position. Your knee should be directly above the point of balance in your foot. If your lower leg is too far back, you are in danger of your body tipping forward and unbalancing the horse.

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.

Do jockeys need to be fit?

A jockey must not only be physically fit, but they must also have the willpower to avoid the excessive consumption of fatty foods or alcohol and stick to a healthy, balanced diet.

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.

What exercises do jockeys do?

Exercises ranging from squats, jump-lunges, burpees through to bear crawls, flutter kicks and single-leg deadlifts are all included. There's even a video to help walk (or run!)

Do jockeys take laxatives?

Eating disorder behaviors among jockeys

Almost all jockeys take long, hot baths and saunas on a daily basis in an attempt to maintain their weight. Additionally many use diuretics or laxatives, which are now banned by Jockey Club, horse racing's governing body.

Why are so many jockeys Mexican?

Historically, the vast majority of professional jockeys have come from Latin America – trained in the jockey schools which opened in the 1950s and 1960s in Panama, Puerto Rico and Mexico City. “Most American trainers train for speed,” explained Arias, in Spanish, prior to the 1971 Derby.

Why do jockeys smoke?

"Many jockeys also smoke, and they have told us that they smoke specifically to control their weight."

Which jockeys are banned?

What is a female horse rider called?

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

What is the minimum weight jockey Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby requires that jockeys, including equipment, shouldn't weigh more than 126 pounds. That means that jockeys themselves shouldn't weigh more than 119 pounds. Although there are no height restrictions for jockeys, the weight requirement typically means that riders are shorter.

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.