Jockey
What is the work like?
Jockeys are contracted by licensed trainers to ride horses at race meetings. They race either on the flat (on a race track without obstacles) or across jumps (known as National Hunt racing).
Your work as jockey would inlude:
- planning racing strategies with the owner and trainer
- taking advice from the trainer on tactics to suit the horse and the track
- riding every day to exercise your horse
- riding your horse at flat or jump races at race tracks around the UK.
You would specialise in either flat or jump racing, although you could take part in both.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a jockey you should not weigh more than about 9 stone 7lbs as a jump jockey and about 8 stone as a flat jockey.
You first need to be employed by a trainer in a racing yard as:
- an apprentice jockey, or
- a conditional jockey (if you are racing over jumps).
Before becoming an apprentice or conditional jockey you would usually work as a stable hand (also known as stable lad or lass), doing tasks like filling haynets, sweeping the yard, mucking out stables, grooming, feeding and watering horses, and taking horses through exercises.
You can prepare for work in a racing yard by doing the NVQ Level 1 and 2 Racehorse Care Residential Course. This course is free if you are aged between 16 and 25. The training centres for the course are:
- the British Racing School (BRS) in Newmarket
- the Northern Racing College (NRS) in Doncaster.
The course includes:
- a residential foundation course of nine to 12 weeks
- a 12-month apprenticeship in a racing yard leading to NVQ Level 2 in Racehorse Care.
If you are already working in a racing yard you may be able to do NVQ Level 2 in Racehorse Care by day release. You can find details of colleges offering the NVQ on the British Horseracing Board website.
If you show exceptional riding skills you may then be selected to train as an apprentice or conditional jockey.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
What further training and development can I do?
As an apprentice or conditional jockey, you would receive training on the job. The trainer takes responsibility for where and what horses you ride and decides when you are competent and ready to race (usually about two years). You would then apply to the Horseracing Regulatory Authority for a licence to ride.
Before the licence is awarded you would need to take a 5-day residential Apprentice or Conditional Licence course at the British Racing School in Newmarket or the Northern Racing College in Doncaster. You will also need to pass a medical.
The Horseracing Regulatory Authority is responsible for the regulation of the conduct of British racing. Visit their website for details of licensing.
Once you have been given a licence as an apprentice or conditional jockey, you would complete your apprenticeship at your trainer's yard. You would usually do this between the ages of 16 and 25, after which you can become a professional jockey (age 27 for racing over jumps).
To keep your licence, you would need to continue your development by taking a 4-day Apprentice or Conditional Continuation course and an advanced Apprentice or Conditional course. See the British Horseracing Board website for more details.
As an apprentice or conditional you can work towards NVQ Level 3 in Race-horse Care and Management.
Where can I go for more information?
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007
Hambridge Road
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 5SJ
Tel: 01635 230410
Rossington Hall
Great North Road
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN11 0HN
Tel: 01302 861000
London
WC2H 8AL
Tel: 020 7189 3800 (Calls to this number may be recorded)
Newmarket
Suffolk
CB8 7NU
Tel: 01638 665103
London
WC2H 8AL
Tel: 020 7152 0000
Email: info@careersinracing.com
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Jockeys receive a riding fee and a percentage of prize money. Some jockeys also secure sponsorship deals.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would work around 40 to 45 hours a week, depending on the number of races you take part in. You would attend races at courses throughout the UK, so you must be prepared to travel and spend time away from home.
Your work would be physically demanding, often involving early starts and late finishes. There is high risk of injury from falls and kicks.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- very good skills in riding and handling horses
- fitness, strength and stamina
- determination and dedication
- good eyesight and fast reaction speeds
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to cope with the risks and pressures of racing
- knowledge of horse care and welfare.
What opportunities are there?
There are 500 racing stables around the country, mainly in rural areas. Employment prospects for trained stable hands are good, but progression to apprentice jockey is difficult, and becoming a successful professional jockey even more so.
As a professional jockey, you may work for one trainer or owner, or ride for different trainers and owners as a self-employed jockey. You could work for stables overseas, especially in Dubai, Japan and the USA.
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.
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