Question about jockeys?

Question

what is the average height and weight of a jockey? how do you get into the "jockey business"? what makes a good jockey? can one survive on a jockey's salary?

Answer 1

I believe the average weight is around 112... as a beginner you'll need to weigh less because the horses you ride get a 5 pound weight advantage.  There is no required height... I think the average is probably around 5'3" or 4"

To get into the jockey business, if you have a track nearby, you should go hang out there as much as possible.  Try to make friends with the jockeys and the trainers.  After the races, you can walk with the jockeys back to the jocks room and talk to them... and about 15 minutes before the race, the jockeys will come out of the jocks room and walk to the paddock, so you can walk and talk with them then too.  Ask them for advice and ask if they can put you in contact with some trainers.  Talk to as many trainers as possible and volunteer to work out horses in the mornings (before school... like 5am).  A lot of the horse racing business is making contacts, so anytime you have the chance to talk to someone, do it!

If you don't live near the track, but you have the means... there are some jockey schools... probably the most famous is Chris McCarron's school at Kentucky Horse Park.  He'll teach you to work around horses and teach you to ride and gallop a racehorse and teach you what you'll need to do in a race and that sort of thing.  That would give you a good step up.

About surviving on a jockey's salary... it sort of depends.  If you're a really good jockey and ride in stakes races all the time... like the really big major races like the Triple Crown races... then you can make a lot of money.  Also, if you're working under contract for a certain trainer, you can make a steady stream of money.  But if you're just a normal jockey working at a small track, you can survive, but you have to work a lot.  It's tough to be a jockey... it's dangerous... it's the only career where the ambulance actually follows you around.  You will fall and you will get injured.  Jockeys tend to return to riding too soon.  When you're not riding, you aren't making money.  And if you're not riding because you're injured, you're losing money because you're paying for your medical bills.  So what I'm trying to say is that yes you can survive on a jockeys salary and people do it all the time... but you have to be working pretty much all the time.  You have some leeway when you get really good and win bigger races that have a bigger purse.  But it can be tough, especially when you're a new young rider and haven't proven yourself yet.

If you want to be a jockey, get started now.  Most jockeys start riding races when they're 16.  Go to the track and meet people so when you turn 16, you can pick up your first mounts.

Answer 2

Jockey's get paid an average of $35.00 per mount, and 10% of the purse if they win. You can be as tall as you want, but the weight limit is 115lbs. There are Jockey schools in Kentucky and California, that I know of. As long as your a good rider people will let you race their horses. Here are the links to the Jockey schools:

http://nara.kctcs.edu/aboutDisplay_secti...

http://www.frankgarzajockeyschool.com/

Answer 3

weight limit is 115lbs but u can be as tall as u want..truly..u have to be fairly strong u got to be able to work ok with horses. To get into the jockey buisiness u should go to a track and ask around...absolutely jockeys get paid ALOT!