Horse Racing Jockeys

Horse Racing Jockeys

Horse racing jockeys are those trained to ride horses in horse racing. The term “jockey” is also used for riders in camel racing, although the term is more popularly used in equestrian sports.

Jockeys typically find their bet horses when they are nominated for the position by horse trainers after intensive training. Jockeying is one of the only professions where the master-apprentice relationship is still clearly practiced. Horse-riding jockeys usually start training when they are young. Before becoming a full-fledged jockey, apprentice jockeys are called “bug boys.”

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One might wonder how much of an impact a jockey can have on horse races, the answer is simple: a jockey can be the difference between first and fifth place. There are many notable sets of races where the same jockey won more than half of the races. Of course, this is influenced by the jockey’s relationship with the horse. A jockey should know the horse inside out, and not just technically, but, to a certain extent, emotionally as well. It is very similar to racers who need to know their automobiles well in order to put in classy performances in the race.

Notable Jockeys

Just like any other sport, there are jockeys who have become renowned throughout the world of horse racing. Many records have been set and many records are still waiting to be broken. Here are some of the more notable figures in the jockeying world:

Kieren Francis Fallon rode his first winner, Picadilly Lord in 1984 and from then on he skyrocketed onto the scene. He rode his first winner in England in 1988 and went on to win the Epsom Derby thrice. He has also been the British Champion Jockey six times in his life, being the most successful British jockey in the modern era.

G.R. Carter Jr. is an American jockey who has earned the most money in the industry. To date, he has earned US$47,000,000 in mount earnings. He was the American Quarter Horse Association World Champion Jockey in 1993, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. He is the only horse racing jockey who won the award more than five times.

Jerry D. Bailey is also an American jockey who retired back in 2006. He has won 5,892 races in his career and has 26 major racing wins, not counting smaller races. He was inducted to the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1995 and is still very influential in racing circles today.

Jorge Ricardo, a South American jockey, has recently been crowned the first rider in history to win 10,000 races. Despite the monetary success of the other jockeys, there are several enthusiasts who claim that Ricardo is the best rider of all time.

Popular Horse Racing Competitions

Two of the largest horse racing competitions in the world are the Pacific Classic Stakes in the Del Mar Racetrack in California and the Kentucky Derby in the Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Melbourne Cup in Australia also draws a worldwide audience as Australia’s premier horse racing event.

The Madison Stakes is known for having a purse of US$1,000,000 guaranteed. It has been won by popular jockeys such as Garrett K. Gomez and Jerry D. Bailey. It is one of the top prizes for older horses in all of North America.

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade 1 race that gives a purse of US$2,000,000 guaranteed. It is probably the most popular horse racing event in the world. Like most high-profile competitions, it has been won by the legendary Jerry D. Bailey. However, other past winning jockeys have quite an amount of fame as well, such as Calvin Borel and Chris Antley.

Training to Become a Jockey

Before you can start training to become a jockey, there are a few pre-requisites that jockeying schools usually look for. You need to have a relatively small frame and must, ideally, weigh less than 50kg. You also need to have an affinity for outdoor work.

After you are accepted into a jockeying academy, you will receive a Certificate IV in Racing, which means that you are considered an apprentice jockey. You will need to complete a 4 year apprenticeship with a licensed trainer. Your apprenticeship will involve you learn how to ride a horse through trials and exercises on and off the tracks. You will also have to learn about the racing industry so that you can easily identify opportunities to work after your apprenticeship.

The training you will receive is mostly classified as ‘on-the-job’. You will also have to study some regular subjects such as Health and Fitness, Nutrition and Financial Planning.

Skills Required and Risks Involved in Being a Jockey

Becoming a jockey will definitely require you to be around the 50kg area for your entire career. Aside from that, being in good health is a key issue and being physically strong and fit for your stature is a big plus. Skills in jockeying are not normally gained from birth; you should look to work in a barn or a similar establishment in order to learn the tools of the trade.

As for risks, there are several involved in the world of horse riding. For one, horse riding has a higher risk for injury than motorcycle riding. Statisticians say that jockeys are bound to get injured once every 350 hours of riding a horse, as compared to 7000 hours for riding motorcycles. Injuries normally happen to the upper extremities such as the wrists, shoulders and elbows. There are also some accidents that happen in the stables while jockeys handle their horses. Death, however, is not very common in horse riding. Usually they result from head injuries, which, contrary to popular belief, are very rare.

In order to reduce the risk of horse riding, you must wear a helmet at all times. You must also ensure that your boot-stirrup combination is properly matched. Moreover, do not wear baggy clothing as they will increase the risk of you being dragged by your horse in the case that you fall over. Lastly, make sure to inspect your horse as well as your equipment before going on rides.