Is Horse Jockey Hard?

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. Staying on top is as hard or even harder than getting there.

Is it easy to be a jockey?

To be a jockey you need to be committed, dedicated, highly motivated and a very good rider with good horsemanship skills. You will also need to be light – Flat Jockeys are usually around 8 stone, with Jump Jockeys weighing slightly more at around 9st 7lbs.

Does it take skill to be a jockey?

There are different skills and requirements needed to be a jockey; the first one being you need strong horse riding skills and a strong determination to win. A jockey must have a deep understanding of horses; this helps them to establish techniques and tactics.

Do you have to be strong to be a jockey?

“(Jockeys) need to be strong to be able to control the horse … you need the strength to hold them together,” Turner says. “You need strong legs, particularly when you’re pushing them. A strong core is also quite important as then you’ve got your spine and your pelvis to keep everything in line and in balance.

How heavy can you be to be 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.

What age do jockeys start riding?

around 16 to 22 years old
Most jockeys tend to start quite young, around 16 to 22 years old, as they’re required to have a certain weight and height to be able to ride the horses. Although a higher number of women are starting to show an interest on the sport, the world of jockeys is mostly formed by men.

How old is the average 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 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 is a jockey chosen?

Jockeys Have No Contracts
Jockeys, like Triple Crown winner Victor Espinoza above, are hired on a race-by-race basis. To select a jockey you must first speak with their agent. Yes, every single one of them has an agent!

Do jockeys get paid well?

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.

Does the jockey hurt the horse?

Jockey’s whip doesn’t hurt horses
The whips used in horse racing are lightweight and made with soft foam. Jockeys strike their horses to encourage them to run, and hitting them with the whip creates a popping sound that makes a horse focus. The modern whip is designed to create noise, not pain.

What skills do jockeys have?

To become a jockey, you would need:

• a passion and skill for riding horses.
• good physical fitness.
• good teamwork skills.
• quick thinking and reaction skills.
• good eyesight.
• dedication and determination.
• calmness under pressure.

Do you have to be skinny to be a jockey?

On average, horse jockeys weigh between 108 to 118 pounds & their height is 4’10” to 5’6″. To ride a horse in a race, jockeys must meet a weight limit set by the racing commission. To make weight, jockeys often starve themselves and use diuretics to lose water weight. This can lead to muscle weakness and dehydration.

What do jockeys eat in a day?

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.

Do jockeys smoke?

“Many jockeys also smoke, and they have told us that they smoke specifically to control their weight.”

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.

Do jockeys talk during races?

Jockeys do talk to each other during races. The day after he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on The Dikler and celebrated into the early hours, a badly hungover Ron Barry only won a race at Uttoxeter thanks to two fellow jockeys shouting a warning to him and his mount every time they approached a hurdle.

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.

How long is a jockeys career?

three decades
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 tall is too tall for jockey?

There is no height limit; Joseph O’Brien, the son of Coolmore trainer Aidan O’ Brien, was a very successful jockey before he became a trainer too. Joseph O’Brien is six feet tall. (Toward the end of his career, he was riding at about 123 pounds.

Are there girl jockeys?

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.