Why do race horses need a jockey, if you line them up and fire a gun they will run anyway?

Question

Having spent many years hiking in the Black Mountains and seen wild horses chase each other and watched riderless horses run round aintree convinces me the jockey is a needless burden to the horse

Answer 1

yes  in all different directions..........have you been on the beer?

Answer 2

Yes they would run but they still have to be steered around the track.

Answer 3

Were you drunk, asking this question three times?

Answer 4

Such a question must mean you come from that big country across the pond!   Not worthy of any other response!

Oops...you are a Londoner..even worse.

Answer 5

Gee, what a thought!   Think of the Trainers and Stable Lads all training these horses many costing over £1m to run in Riderless races.

Now I'm scratching my head??? . . how would the horses know how far to run?  100 yards; 5 Furlongs; 2 miles.

Now imagine the Bookmakers . . who would back horses to run in riderless races?

I can see you don't like Jockeys - is it because they are short shorties or because they fix races?  I think you've lost money on them.

As some of your respondents have stated:- fire a gun and the horses will bolt. Eventually you will catch them but as they get wise to the game they won't play ball any more.

May I thank you for your intelligent question that has certainly made me think.

I am going back to bed now because I am down with a cold and am rather hoarse.

Answer 6

what a numpty

Answer 7

So they can corrupt the sport! lay their horse on betfair and pull it back at the post so it doesn't look sus.

Answer 8

You need someone at the end of the race to bathe in all the glory.

Answer 9

Yeah right whos going to steer them,when they jump through the running rail and gallop on your head.(think again buddy)

Answer 10

because that would be mass chaos, nothing would get done. horses would kick out at each other, and a stampeded would be made out of it. that's why they need jockeys.

Answer 11

Where too though..Stop for a graze of grass on the way?  Like greyhound racing  only what do horses chase...  flying carrots?

Answer 12

Of course they will run but they will stop without a jockey to keep them going !! Quite simple really!! Dah!!