Jockey

A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, usually as a job. The word also includes people who ride camels in camel racing. The term "jockey" comes from England, where it was first used to describe people who rode horses in races. Jockeys need to be light, often weighing between 100–120 lb. (45–55 kg), and they must stay very fit.

A jockey riding in a hurdle race

Jockeys are usually self-employed. They get a small payment from the horse trainer they work for, and they also earn a share of any money the horse wins in a race. While this job can be exciting, it is also very dangerous. Jockeys can get serious injuries from races, and because they must keep a very low weight, they sometimes face health problems related to food and eating.

In the past, most jockeys were men. But today, many women have become successful jockeys too, and they ride just as well as men do.

Etymology

The word "jockey" comes from a shorter form of the name John, used in northern England and Scotland. It meant "boy" or "fellow" and was used as early as 1529. Over time, the word came to describe people who sold horses, rode horses for messages, or traveled and performed. By the year 1670, it took on its current meaning of someone who rides horses in races.

Physical characteristics

Jockey being weighed post-race, holding equipment

Jockeys need to be light to ride horses at set weights. For example, in the Kentucky Derby, the total weight, including the jockey's gear, cannot go over 126 lb (57 kg). Most jockeys weigh between 108 to 118 lb (49 to 54 kg). Even though they are light, they must be strong enough to guide a horse running at 40 mph (64 km/h) that weighs about 1,190.5 lb (540.0 kg). While there is no strict height rule, jockeys are often short because of the weight limits.

Jockeys who race on flat tracks are usually about 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) to 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) tall. Jump jockeys can be taller, with some over 5 ft 10 in (178 cm). For instance, Lester Piggott, a famous jockey, was 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) tall and was called "Longfellow." Bruce Hobbs was one of the tallest jockeys ever to win the Grand National, standing at 6 ft 1.5 in (186.7 cm).

Role

Toulouse-Lautrec – The Jockey (1899)

Jockeys are people who ride horses in races. They are usually hired by horse trainers to ride their horses for a fee and a share of the money won. In Australia, new jockeys start by working closely with a trainer, and after some time, they become independent workers. Many jockeys later become trainers themselves.

Jockeys often begin by exercising horses in the morning and start as apprentice jockeys. They need to complete many practice races before they can ride in real races. Apprentice jockeys are sometimes called "bug boys" because of a symbol next to their names. All jockeys need a license and are not allowed to bet on races. Apprentices work with a trainer and sometimes ride with less weight on the horse, which helps them get more chances to ride. After learning for a few years, they become senior jockeys and build relationships with trainers and horses. Sometimes, senior jockeys are paid extra by owners to ride their horses in races.

Racing colours

When jockeys race, they wear special colors that belong to the person or trainer who hired them. These colors have been used for a long time, maybe even since the days of knights and jousting. In places like Italy, racing has been colorful and exciting for many years.

In the United States, these racing outfits are often called "silks." They include white pants and other colorful pieces. Getting to wear these for the first time is a big moment for a new jockey. The colors and patterns, like checks or stripes, help everyone know which horse each jockey is riding. These colors are very important in horse racing and can be very valuable. Even though jockeys wear safety gear under their racing clothes, the bright silks are what everyone sees during the race.

Awards

Jockeys receive special awards each year from racing groups in many countries. Some of these awards include:

Australia
- Scobie Breasley Medal
Canada
- Avelino Gomez Memorial Award
United Kingdom
United States
- George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award
- Isaac Murphy Award

Risk factors

Horse racing can be dangerous for jockeys, who may suffer serious injuries such as head impacts, broken bones, and joint pain. Because jockeys need to stay very light, they sometimes face health challenges, including not eating enough. This pressure to keep a low weight can lead to dehydration during races.

The International Concussion and Head Injury Research Foundation announced a study in January 2016 to examine the effects of head injuries on retired jockeys.

Female jockeys

Australia

In the 1850s, women were not allowed to ride professional horse races in Victoria, Australia with men. Some women, like Wilhemena Smith, raced under men's names to compete. By the late 1970s, women like Pam O'Neill and Linda Jones pushed for equal rights to race with men. In 2015, Michelle Payne became the first woman to win a major race called the Melbourne Cup.

Great Britain and Ireland

In Britain, women were also not allowed to race with men for a long time. But in 1972, Meriel Patricia Tufnell became one of the first women to race professionally. Over the years, more women like Hayley Turner and Rachael Blackmore have achieved great success, with Blackmore even winning a very important race called the Grand National in 2021.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, women have made up a large part of jockeys for many years. The first woman to win a race there was Joan Phipps in 1977. Since then, many women like Linda Jones and Lisa Allpress have won important races and been leaders in their field.

United States and Canada

In the United States, women faced many challenges but still succeeded. Diane Crump was the first woman to race in a major event in 1969, and Barbara Jo Rubin was the first to win a race in 1969. Julie Krone has the most wins by a woman in the U.S., with over 3,700 victories. In Canada, women jockeys like Francine Villeneuve and Chantal Sutherland have also competed in important races and achieved notable successes.

African American jockeys

In the 1800s in the United States, many horse racing jobs were done by enslaved African Americans, including taking care of horses and riding in races. Over time, some moved up to become trainers and then jockeys who rode in races. By the end of the 1800s, most jockeys in horse racing were African American. In the first Kentucky Derby, 13 of the 15 jockeys were Black. Some famous Black jockeys include Isaac Murphy, Willie Simms, and Jimmy Winkfield. Murphy won the Kentucky Derby three times and was the first Black jockey in the National Museum Racing Hall of Fame. Winkfield won the Kentucky Derby in 1901 and 1902.

After slavery ended, African Americans continued to be important in horse racing, but things changed in 1896 when a court decision allowed segregation. This made it harder for Black jockeys to keep their positions. For many years, African Americans were mostly in lower jobs in horse racing. It wasn't until much later, in 2000, that Marlon St. Julien became the first Black jockey in the Kentucky Derby in many years. Another talented jockey, Kendrick Carmouche, has had great success, winning many races and earning large amounts of money by 2026. Today, many top jockeys come from Hispanic backgrounds.

Robot jockeys

Main article: Robot jockey

In Doha, Qatar, a camel race used robotic jockeys for the first time to replace children who had been riding the camels. On 13 July 2005, these robot jockeys were placed on seven camels. People controlled the robots from a distance, telling them when to pull the reins and gently encourage the camels to run faster.