How Old Is The Average Horse Jockey?

about 40 years old.
Q: What is the average age of a horse jockey? A person has to be a minimum of 16 years old to apply for a jockey license. The oldest jockey to still compete at the highest levels was 58 years old (Bill Shoemaker). The average age in this profession is currently about 40 years old.

What age do most jockeys retire?

Jump jockeys will usually start to consider retirement at about the age of 35, whilst flat racing jockeys will often last for about ten years longer.

Who is the oldest active jockey?

CINCINNATI — Perry Ouzts is a horse racing legend, though most have probably never heard of his name. At the spry age of 67, he’s competed in nearly 52,000 races — winning more than 7,000 — a number that is only set to grow as the Belterra Park racer stays in the saddle.

How long do jockeys last?

You Won’t See Many Riders Over The Age Of 40
As it becomes more difficult to control their weight as they get older, many horse jockeys call time on their careers in the saddle after the age of 40. It’s rare for riders to go on past 50, although there are notable exceptions.

How tall is the average horse jockey?

Though there is no height limit for jockeys, they are usually fairly short due to the weight limits. Jockeys racing on the flat typically stand around 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) to 5 ft 7 in (170 cm). Jump jockeys are often taller, with multiple examples over 5 ft 10 in (178 cm).

What is the salary of a jockey?

Jockeys are some of the original “gig workers” because they work as independent contractors. Rather than earn a salary, a jockey receives a “mounting fee” — often $50-$110 — for each race, riding sometimes eight races per day.

Is a jockey well paid?

The average national salary for a jockey is $80,496. The amount jockeys earn is typically dependent on their reputation and performance. Most jockeys are self-employed and control their own training, career progression and for whom they work.

What is the weight limit for a jockey?

Most jockeys are shorter and have weight restrictions
So, ultimately the jockeys should not weigh more than 119 pounds, according to Bustle. While there is no height restriction, most jockeys tend to be around 4-foot-10 and 5-foot-6 due to the weight restriction.

Is jockey a hard job?

First and foremost, being a jockey is no easy way to make a living. It is a tough demanding life, physically, emotionally, mentally, and even dietary. There are no guarantees, no off seasons, and the competition gets tougher with more success and recognition.

Who is the richest jockey ever?

Meet Yutaka Take, the world’s richest jockey. A legend in Japan, Take, 52, enjoys ‘God’ status in his homeland and has a film star wife. His face is plastered on posters at racecourses, he’s been the ‘pin-up’ of racing for years and enjoys the same level of fame as pop stars.

How many times can jockeys whip?

Whip Rules
The permitted number of uses of the whip with hands off the reins is 7 times for Flat races and 8 times for Jumps race. Stewards will consider whether to hold an enquiry if a rider has used his whip 8 times or more in a Flat race or 9 times or more in a Jump race or misused the whip in some other way.

How often do jockeys fall off?

around 1 in 11 rides
On average, the current average fall rate for a professional jockey sits around 1 in 11 rides, and the danger lies in not only the fall itself, but also the other horses in the race that are in the process of jumping the fence at the same time.

Does the same jockey ride the same horse?

A jockey can always switch horses before the race if a better mount becomes available. Changing horses before a race is not unheard of but doesn’t happen often. Jockeys and their agent don’t want to spoil their reputation for one payday.

What are the physical requirements to be a jockey?

Jockeys must be at least 16 years old. There is no set height or weight requirement, but the majority of jockeys do not weigh more than 125 pounds, many even less, with height (usually around 5 feet tall) or proportionate to their weight.

What is a jockeys diet?

Training diet for jockeys
Jockeys should try to eat three meals per day with foods from each of the food groups; breads and cereals, fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy.

Why do jockeys have weight limits?

Weighed in.” Trainers prefer jockeys to be as close to the allocated weight as possible, as it is harder for the horse to carry this than a human which can move with it.

How many hours does a jockey work?

You would work around 40 hours a week, depending on the number of races you take part in, often involving early starts and late finishes.

What is the maximum height of a jockey?

Height Limits for Jockeys
As I have already mentioned, while weight limits are a big deal in horseracing, there are no height limits. However, this doesn’t mean that you will find jockeys of all sizes. On the contrary, most jockeys are 58 to 67 inches (1.47 – 1.70 m) high on average.

Are there any female jockeys?

In 2012, the first female jockey to finish in the top three was Katie Walsh on Seabass. Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh both started six Grand Nationals, a joint record for a woman. In 2021, Rachael Blackmore, riding Minella Times, became the first female jockey to win the race.

What is the life of a jockey like?

A jockey’s life off the horse is grueling and, at times, dangerous. The spectre haunting almost every rider is extra weight. In the trade, the scale is sometimes called “the Oracle.” It’s an apt name — the scale decides which jockeys are light enough to be allowed to race.

Is being a jockey physically demanding?

Results suggest that horse racing is a physically demanding sport, requiring jockeys to perform close to their physiological limit to be successful.