How long is a jockeys career?

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.

How much does a jockey earn a year?

That's still a huge payday in a sport where an average year's earning can be $30,000-$40,000, according to Career Trend — and as recently as 2018, paid half of North America's 1,559 thoroughbred jockeys less than $12,000 per year, according to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary, based on horses' prize winnings.

How long does it take to become a jockey?

Complete an apprenticeship

You must be at least 16 years old to start a jockey apprenticeship, though this number could vary by state. Apprenticeships can take up to four years to complete.

Is there an age limit for jockeys?

Each jockey has to be licensed in order to ride in a race, and most states don't grant those until the jockey in question is 18 years old. Quite a bit of work has to goes into getting a license, though, so people as young as 16 can start riding horses on the track in the mornings, working them out.

Who is the oldest active horse jockey?

CINCINNATI — Perry Ouzts is a horse racing legend, though most have probably never heard of his name. At the spry age of 67, he's competed in nearly 52,000 races — winning more than 7,000 — a number that is only set to grow as the Belterra Park racer stays in the saddle.

LIFE AS AN APPRENTICE JOCKEY: HORSE RACING HOW TO

How old is the average jockey?

Although the Equibase.com data do not provide jockeys' birth years, we estimated them broadly from the knowledge that working jockeys are between 16 and 58 years old. (Riders must be 16 to apply for a jockey's license, and the oldest elite jockey was Bill Shoemaker, who retired at 58.)

Do apprentice jockeys get paid?

Apprentices and conditionals receive a wage as an employee of the trainer or the stable. These earnings are subject to income tax and Class 1 National Insurance contributions under PAYE as employment income.

How old is the youngest jockey?

Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton is the youngest jockey to ever win the Kentucky Derby. He won this race in the year 1892 at the age of 15 and still holds the record as the youngest winning rider.

How much does a jockey have to weigh?

Most jockeys are shorter and have weight restrictions

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.

Do jockeys have a weight limit?

At Churchill Downs and at similar racetracks around the country, jockeys can't weigh more than 126 pounds with all their equipment on, which usually works out to about 118 pounds of person. Jockeys who ride fillies and apprentice jockeys have to weigh even less than that.

Who is the richest jockey?

Meet Yutaka Take, the world's richest jockey. A legend in Japan, Take, 52, enjoys 'God' status in his homeland and has a film star wife. His face is plastered on posters at racecourses, he's been the 'pin-up' of racing for years and enjoys the same level of fame as pop stars.

How tall is an average jockey?

Though there is no height limit for jockeys, they are usually fairly short due to the weight limits. Jockeys typically stand around 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) to 5 ft 7 in (170 cm).

How hard is being a jockey?

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 much does a jockey get per race?

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.

Can jockeys bet on races?

In most states, jockeys are not prohibited from betting on races in which they don't ride or on betting on their own mounts. Nonetheless, a jockey betting against himself, no matter how few times it happened, is a serious offense that brings the integrity of those races into question.

How do jockeys stay so small?

Amazingly, jockeys manage to stay fit and healthy on less than 1,500 calories per day, and top riders – including Frankie Dettori – have donated their favourite low-calorie recipes to help make a 'Jockey Diet'.

Do jockeys starve themselves?

“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.

Why are there no female jockeys?

Once the quality and capabilities of the horses being ridden were taken into account, the performance differences between male and female jockeys became nonexistent.

Do jockeys have eating disorders?

Horse jockeys have a demanding job that requires very specific weight requirements and as a result many jockeys are diagnosed with eating disorders.

How old was the oldest jockey?

Smith will be aboard Taiba (post position No. 12 with morning line odds of 12-1) for the 2022 Kentucky Derby, with the chance to make history as the oldest jockey to win the prestigious race. That title is held by Bill Shoemaker, who was 54 when he won the 1986 Kentucky Derby aboard Ferdinand.

Are there any female jockeys?

Six women have ridden in the famed "Run for the Roses": Diane Crump, Patti Cooksey, Andrea Seefeldt, Julie Krone, Rosemary Homeister and Rosie Napravnik.

Are there any black horse jockeys?

Kendrick Carmouche is one of the few Black jockeys in horse racing. In the 2021 Kentucky Derby, he rode the horse Bourbonic, becoming the first Black jockey to ride in the historic race since 2013. “There aren't enough of us anymore on the racetrack,” Carmouche said.

Do jockeys make good money?

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.

How much do jockeys win?

The amount of money a jockey can make can range widely from $28 a race from lower class races all the way to more than $180,000 per race. Win one of those big races and your annual salary jumps.

How do jockeys get picked to ride a horse?

A jockey is booked to ride a horse by his agent. The booking requires the agreement of the owner and trainer of the racehorse. The jockey is not the sole decision-maker over which horse he rides. However, good riders are sought after and often can pick their horse.