Do jockeys train their horses?

Jockeys maintain a supreme level of fitness in order to fulfil their daily routine of riding and schooling horses in training in the morning, as well as riding in races in the afternoon and evening.

Do jockeys choose horses?

Jockeys ride the horses on race days and often follow the instructions issued by the horse’s trainer, but sometimes they use their own initiative. Winning a race reflects well on the jockey, while losing can provoke a search for riding errors.

How many times does a jockey ride a horse before a race?

Jockeys usually start out when they are young, riding work in the morning for trainers, and entering the riding profession as apprentice jockeys. It is normally necessary for an apprentice jockey to ride a minimum of about 20 barrier trials successfully before being permitted to ride in races.

Do jockeys train?

Jockeys may rely on real live horsepower to help them reach the winning post, but they still train like athletes. When you are riding half a ton of flesh at 40 mph you have to be able to hold your horse.

How do horse jockeys get paid?

How much a horse jockey makes per race depends on how much the purse is for the race. A winning jockey is entitled to 10\% of the horse owner’s share of the purse. So, if a race has a purse of $100,000, the winning horse owner will typically receive 60\% of it, which is $60,000.

How do jockeys get chosen?

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. book his rider on the best horse in each race. Jockey’s main pay comes from winning a race as their compensation is based on a sliding scale.

Do jockeys talk to their horses during the race?

Jockeys do talk to each other during races. The leading Flat jockey Greville Starkey used to do a marvellous imitation of a barking dog and occasionally went into his routine during a finish to put off an opponent’s mount.