Are Horse Jockeys Rich?

Horse racing jockeys compete for some eye-watering sums of money, and while a big chunk of their winnings goes to the owners of the horses, many of them have still racked up some quite incredible sums over the years.

How much money does a horse jockey make?

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.

Do jockeys earn a lot of money?

Conclusion. At the top end, riders can earn hundreds of thousands of pounds per year. In fact, when retainers for top owners and foreign prize-money are included it is not inconceivable the very elite will nudge their earnings into seven figures.

Is horse racing for rich people?

Horse racing is sometimes referred to as “the sport of kings” because of its association with the monarchy and, as a result, the perception that it is solely for the wealthy. The great majority of persons participating in the industry, whether they are owners or fans, are not affluent.

What do jockeys make a year?

The salaries of Horse Jockeys in the US range from $10,049 to $271,427 , with a median salary of $48,880 . The middle 57% of Horse Jockeys makes between $48,882 and $123,036, with the top 86% making $271,427.

How do jockeys earn a living?

However, as a general rule of thumb Flat jockeys receive around 8.5% of the advertised win prize and 2.61% of the advertised place prize. Jump Jockeys receive around 11.03% of the win prize and 3.44% of the place prize. The riding fee is negotiated annually between the PJA and the ROA.

Is being a jockey a hard job?

Jockeys require a high fitness level to perform well because controlling a horse at high speeds can be strenuous, requiring strength and agility. Jockeys approach their work by building a relationship with each horse, and instead of just riding horses, they encourage them to perform their best possible race.

Who is the richest jockey?

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.

What happens if a jockey is overweight?

If a rider weighs in two pounds or more over the weight that he weighed out, the Clerk of the Scales will report the rider to the Stewards and may be suspended. The one pound under and two pound over tolerances reflect the weight loss or gain a rider may incur dependant on weather conditions.

What sports are for the rich?

Top 10 Sports That Rich People Enjoy

• Polo.
• Tennis.
• Horse Racing.
• Sailing.
• Car Racing.
• Squash.
• Lacrosse.
• Crew.

Why do rich people love horse racing?

The main reason is that they help you win bets. When it comes to horse racing betting, there are three basic sorts of wagers: win wagers, place wagers, and exotic wagers. If you bet on a horse with the intention of it winning, you’re more likely to win than lose.

Is horse Riding a rich sport?

Regarded as the sport for the wealthy, many of the world’s richest men and women show their love of equestrian show jumping. This is not just a sport for recreation or leisure, it attracts millions of dollars in cash prizes and global recognition.

How long does a jockey career last?

You would usually retire from riding by age 45 (35 for jump jockeys). At the end of your riding career you can get advice on retraining and employment from the Jockeys Employment and Training Scheme.

How long is a jockey career?

Much like in golf, the career of a professional jockey can stretch for three decades or, for a select few, even longer. Unlike golfers, however, jockeys must endure the incredible strain (and the life-threatening danger) of sitting on top of thousand-pound animals running in packs as fast as automobiles.

How long does it take to become a jockey?

Complete an apprenticeship
You must be at least 16 years old to start a jockey apprenticeship, though this number could vary by state. Apprenticeships can take up to four years to complete.

What weight do you have to be to become a jockey?

The word “jockey” originated from England and was used to describe the individual who rode horses in racing. They must be light, typically around a weight of 100-120 lb., and physically fit. They are typically self-employed and are paid a small fee from the horse trainer and a percentage of the horse’s winnings.

How much do jockeys get if they win?

Jockeys also receive a percentage of any prize-money their mounts earn – 3.5% of placed prize-money and 7-9% of winning prize-money – plus income from any approved sponsorship agreements.

How tall is the average jockey?

The average horseracing jockey 5’2″ tall and weighs 113 lbs, well below the average height and weight for men and women. In the United States, the average man is 5’9 inches tall, and the average height of a woman is 5’4″. Jockeys are small, but they are strong and are great athletes.

What is life like for a jockey?

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.

How many hours a week do jockeys work?

Working arrangements
Around 70% of people employed as Jockeys work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 4 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%). Full-time workers work an average of 49 hours per week in their main job. This is 5 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).

Do you have to be fit to be a jockey?

Professional jockeys are athletes so need to be extremely fit and healthy. Our jockeys are no different; they must be able to demonstrate that they have the necessary strength and endurance to control the horse over the course of the race.