The average Horse Jockey in the US makes $52,737. Horse Jockeys make the most in San Francisco, CA at $79,630, averaging total compensation 51% greater than the US average.
How much does a jockey earn each ride?
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” — often $50-$110 — for each race, riding sometimes eight races per day.
Who is the highest paid horse jockey?
John R. Velazquez
Columns
| Rank | Jockey Name | Total $ |
|---|---|---|
| *1 | John R. Velazquez | $460,324,298 |
| *2 | Javier Castellano | $375,080,375 |
| *3 | Mike E. Smith | $344,112,618 |
| 4 | Pat Day | $297,914,839 |
Do jockeys get paid if they don’t win?
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, according to the Covington Reporter.
How much do successful jockeys make?
| Thoroughbred top jockeys by earnings worldwide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Starts | Career earnings |
| Javier Castellano | $29,855 | $364,082,460 |
| Mike E. Smith | $33,945 | $337,917,625 |
| Pat Day | $40,300 | $297,914,840 |
How long does a jockey career last?
You would usually retire from riding by age 45 (35 for jump jockeys). At the end of your riding career you can get advice on retraining and employment from the Jockeys Employment and Training Scheme.
How many hours does a jockey work?
You would work around 40 hours a week, depending on the number of races you take part in, often involving early starts and late finishes.
Is there a weight limit for jockeys?
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.
How tall is the average jockey?
Though there is no height limit for jockeys, they are usually fairly short due to the weight limits. 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).
Do jockeys get paid for riding work?
Let’s break it down. Unlike most athletes jockeys are almost all self-employed (although a few top riders have contracts to ride for individual trainers or owners) – which means that rather than being paid a fixed salary, they charge for each job they take.
How do jockeys earn a living?
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. 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.
How many winners before a jockey lose their claim?
Once they have ridden 75 winners, the jockey loses their claim and becomes a fully-fledged professional. In Flat racing, Apprentice jockeys have the same weight allowances, but the winning milestones lie at 20, 50 and 95 respectively.
Does it hurt the horse when the jockey hits it?
There is no evidence to suggest that whipping does not hurt. Whips can cause bruising and inflammation, however, horses do have resilient skin. That is not to say that their skin is insensitive. Indeed, a horse can easily feel a fly landing on its skin.
Is being a jockey a hard job?
Jockeys require a high fitness level to perform well because controlling a horse at high speeds can be strenuous, requiring strength and agility. Jockeys approach their work by building a relationship with each horse, and instead of just riding horses, they encourage them to perform their best possible race.
Are jockeys millionaires?
Only a few jockeys will become millionaires during their career, as most will barely make a living wage. What is this? Top-ranking jockeys often compete in graded stakes and allowance races. Those that win Grade I races will bring in the most money.
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.
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 age do most jockeys retire?
Jump jockeys will usually start to consider retirement at about the age of 35, whilst flat racing jockeys will often last for about ten years longer.
Do you need a degree to be a jockey?
No postsecondary training is required for jockeys, although the North American Racing Academy is now available for those who do wish to pursue this career. Others who are interested in learning more about the care of horses can pursue certificates and degrees in equine management at colleges and universities.
How many times can a jockey whip their horse?
Current rules and limits on use
Following the 2022 report into the use of the whip, the rules regarding the use of the whip in British racing are being revised. The basic rules are as follows: – The whip can be used a maximum of seven times in a Flat race or eight times in a Jump race.
What is life like for a jockey?
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.