How much does it cost to become a horse jockey?

Question

I really need to know so I can tell my dad

Answer 1

Not much, depends what type of jockey you want to be really.

Answer 2

Time is the greatest expense.  Initially there are the basics of riding.  Then come the hours of learning the myriad of personalities and other variables of equine athletes.  

A thoroughbred farm or training center where yearlings begin their journey to the winner's circle is a good place to start your education.  Similar to a work study program you work and get paid to learn.  You will be the best judge of progress.  Yearlings, 2YO, and older thoroughbreds being freshened will challenge the improvement of skills.

Actually by this time you will be able to begin purchasing your own equipment.  An investment in self is the best of both worlds.  It should cost your dad zero.

Answer 3

So I'm guessing your asking this question because you yourself want to become a jockey, well there's two rodes you can choose, either a flat jockey or a jump jockey.

If your light enough be a flat jockey it's much easy!

It all begins with learning and where you chose to go to do that, there are places called racing schools located around britain and ireland, one in newmarket, doncaster and some other places.  First you have to get a place at one of these schools, so go to one of their open days, and if u get a place, choose the course which will be the jockey one. It's free if your under 18, I believe. Then if you pass the course you will have to get a job at a racing yard, then get a jockeys licience, and choose either if u want to be an ameautur, were you pay for your licience, it's not too expensive or an apprentice, this is when the trainer you work for pays your licience, but to get this you have to prove your good enough and the trainer may hire you to be his apprentice, this is when you ride that trainers horses only and this is on the flat only, unlike an ameauture licience where you can ride for any trainer on jump or flat. Then theres a similar thing to being an apprentice on the flat but its called a conditional jockey, were you ride just jumps for one trainer and if this trainer believes in you and you are good enough they'll hire you and pay your licience too.

But theres not only the cost of your licience theres the equipment you need too, breechers, whip, boots, hat, gloves, so on. A good place to buy this stuff is gibsons saddelry, this can all add up.

but first go to racing school, just look up a few on the internet, doncaster & newmarket, get trained their, go and work in a few yards, gain some riding experience, then either apply for your jockey licience on your own or look/find a trainer looking for a conditional or apprentice.