Horse Racing - Apprentice Jockeys by Dave Bromley

In UK horse racing all jockeys have to be licenced by The British Horse Racing Board. Most would be flat race jockeys join a racing stable when they are in their mid teems. At one time nearly all apprentice jockeys were boys but in recent years an increasing number of girls have also have become apprentice jockeys. It is also fair to say that the girls are also having considerable success in what was once a male dominated sport.

To make up for their lack of experience an apprentice jockey can, up to the age of 25, claim a weight allowance in most races dependent upon the number of winners they have ridden in races against senior jockeys. This works out at 7lbs if the jockey has ridden 20 or less winners, 5lbs for 50 or less and 3lbs until they have ridden 95 winners. In certain races a jockey with less than 20 winners who is riding a horse from his own trainers stable can claim 10lb. Races purely for apprentice jockeys do not count towards their total of winners and the allowances in these races are calculated differently to those that also include senior jockeys.

There have been considerable advances made in jockey training in recent years not least with the establishment of Jockey Schools in the major training centres. Even so most young jockeys gain much of their early experience working in training yards. Among the many tasks an apprentice jockey can expect to find themselves doing is riding horses out on the gallops, mucking out and leading horses out at race meetings.

It can be a hard but exciting life for any youngster but unfortunately many apprentices do not make it to the ranks of being a senior jockey. There are many reasons for this, sadly some do not have the aptitude or ability for the job, and others simply become disenchanted with the life. The long hours, early cold mornings, poor wages and lack of progress lead many to seek alternative employment.

Another problem for any would be jockey is that of weight. Jockeys have to be able to keep their weight down to around 110lb to 120lb. As they grow some teenagers just do not have the physical build to be able to keep their weight down to that level. When this happens they really have three options, they can move on to National Hunt jump racing where they jockeys can weigh anything between 140lb and 147lbs, look for another job inside of racing or leave the industry all together.

Only a few apprentices each year will make the grade and become an established senior flat race jockey. Those that do can look forward to a lucrative and exciting life travelling the world riding some of the best race horses and for them all of the struggles will have been worthwhile.