What weight do flat jockeys ride at?

The weight of a jockey racing on the flat usually ranges from 108 to 118 lb (49 to 54 kg).

What weight should a flat jockey be?

Professional Jockeys applying for a licence for the first time should not weigh less than 9st 7lbs (133lbs). The application must be supported by at least two licensed Trainers who are willing to verify the competence of the applicant and be in a position to 'guarantee rides'.

How much does a jockey have to weigh for Flat racing?

Claiming jockeys

On the Flat, an apprentice jockey starts with an allowance of 7lb. This reduces to 5lb once they have won 20 races, to 3lb once they have won 50 races and disappears when they have won 95 races.

What is the heaviest weight for a jockey?

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.

Why do Flat jockeys have to be lighter than jump jockeys?

Jump jockeys tend to be taller and weigh more than flat jockeys because they require strength and stamina for the longer Jump races. Flat jockeys tend to weigh less and, as a result, are likely to be shorter, too. The races are shorter and faster and the horses are younger.

Rules of the Game | The Importance of Weight

Why can't jockeys be tall?

While there isn't a height requirement (or minimum) for jockeys, there is a weight requirement. This makes it tougher for a taller person to become a jockey, as they will have a more difficult time meeting the weight requirement.

What is the salary of a jockey?

Jockeys make $52,645 per year on average, or $25.31 per hour, in the United States.

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.

How do jockeys lose weight fast?

What weight should a female jockey be?

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.

Why do jockeys have a weight limit?

Weighed in.” Trainers prefer jockeys to be as close to the allocated weight as possible, as it is harder for the horse to carry this than a human which can move with it.

What happens if a jockey weighs in heavy or light after a race?

If a rider weighs in two pounds or more over the weight that he weighed out, the Clerk of the Scales will report the rider to the Stewards and may be suspended. The one pound under and two pound over tolerances reflect the weight loss or gain a rider may incur dependant on weather conditions.

What is the height limit for a jockey?

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.

Can jockeys be 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.

What percentage does a flat jockey win?

However, as a general rule of thumb Flat jockeys receive around 8.5% of the advertised win prize and 2.61% of the advertised place prize.

Do any jockeys ride flat and jumps?

Horses can readily switch between Flat and Jump racing, particularly Hurdling, whilst a handful of jockeys currently ride under both codes. Most Flat horses cease Flat racing when 6 or 7, but many Jump horses are still racing at the age of 12. There is no maximum age at which a horse can race in either type of racing.

Is being a jockey hard on your body?

The average jockey gets sidelined by injuries about three times a year. A jockey's life off the horse is grueling and, at times, dangerous. The spectre haunting almost every rider is extra weight.

Do jockeys get paid if they lose?

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. The percentages a jockey receives for a Thoroughbred race range from 5% for a second- or third-place finish to 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.

Why can't jockeys have beards?

BHA spokesman Joe Rendall says: "It's a common misconception jockeys aren't allowed beards, and seems to be based more on pub quiz folklore rather than anything in the rules. As it stands, any jockey considering growing a beard who might be concerned about a close shave with the stewards needn't worry."

Do horse jockeys talk during races?

It depends on the race day and the tension in the room. Sometimes there is chatter during a race, and sometimes there is not. Once again, it just depends on the race.

Do horses know they are in a race?

But what's going on in the horse's head? Do they even know they're racing? According to experts who spoke to For The Win, they do and a lot of it is what's similarly goes on in humans' heads: The will to win — with varying degrees of competitiveness.

Who is the richest jockey of all time?

1. Yutaka Take. Taking the top spot is Japan's Yutaka Take, who has earned an estimated $925m throughout his extensive career, picking up over 4,400 wins in the process.

How much do jockeys get per race?

Prize-money and sponsorship

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 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.