Hi all how long does a jockey stay conditional for ?

Question

i mean before he turns professional ? does he or she decide upon themselves or is it the number of winners they are allowed to have and then they are forced to be proffesional ? i ask because doesnt a conditional jockey allowd to carry less weight ? this is a uk question thankyou.

Answer 1

you are an apprentice, and lose the "bug" (a 5lb weight advantage)

Answer 2

All conditional jockeys are professionals, they are no longer conditional either when they have ridden a sufficient number of winners under Rules to lose their claim or when they are over a certain age.  Amateurs have Mr or Ms in front of their names to show they are amateurs and the same conditions to claims apply as above.

Answer 3

A conditional jockey is an apprentice riding over the jumps - for some reason, I'm not sure why, they are conditionals if they ride under NH rules and Apprentices if they ride on the flat, but to all intents and purposes they are the same thing.

A jockey remains a conditional/apprentice until he/she has ridden a certain number of winners.  For Apprentices (flat) I believe it is 95 races, and for Conditionals (jumps) I believe it is 75.

You are right in saying that a conditional/apprentice carries less weight, this is to make up for their lack of experience.  However, once they have "ridden out their claim" they have to compete on level terms with the rest of the jockeys.

Have a look at the Rules of Racing, they will give you more details:  http://rules.britishhorseracing.com/Orde...

Answer 4

I think it is about 30-40 minutes.

Answer 5

until they have ridden a certain number of winners, im not 100% sure but i think its 50