Racehorse requirements?

Question

As in, are there any height/weight requirements of the horse? If so, what are they? Do these hold true from year to year or do they fluctuate?

And while we're at it, what are the standard height/weight of a jockey?

Thank you~

Answer 1

The horse must be a registered thoroughbred with the jockey club.  That means the parents must both be registered thoroughbreds and the horse must have been bred naturally... no artificial incemination allowed.  Whatever horse comes out of the mare is a thoroughbred who's allowed to race.  no height or weight requirements.

For jockeys, the weight depends on what race the horse is running in.  If it's a low level claimer, the jocks usually are 112.  If it's a major stakes, 126 is a common weight.  There's many weights in between there... handicap races have different weights on different horses depending on how well the horse has raced in the past.  Jockeys tend to be 5'5 or less, but can be whatever height so long as they make weights for the races.  There are some jockeys who are 6 foot tall!

Answer 2

no there is no restrictions on horses. sometimes there is on age of horse but that is about it.