Jockeying For A Better Future

Dangerous conditions and scant pay continue to plague jockeys, the workers of the horse racing industry.



It is a profession in seemingly unending decline.  Its union has been ineffective, to the point of corruption.  No, this piece is not discussing longshoreman or locomotive workers, but America's jockeys.  The frontline of the nation's horse racing industry faces problems not seen in any other major sport in the United States.  Jockeys struggle to deal with low pay, a myriad of injury and health concerns, and a decreased demand for their services, even in an industry that remains unabashedly extravagant.

Jockeys understand that their jobs entail significant risk.  Their line of work involves racing half-ton animals at a speed of 40mph.  They choose jockeying for the excitement, the glamour, and their love of horses.  Like in other sports, the competition is fierce, and only the best make it to top.  Careers are necessarily short as injuries mount and performance suffers for aging jockeys. 

So how much do these brave athletes make for their dangerous work?


Not much. The median yearly salary has been reported as low as $30,000. Most jockeys ride for less than $50 per mount.  After fees for equipment managers and agents, many take home less than $20 for lesser races.  Riders do keep a percentage of race winnings, however, these are of course normally won by only the best jockeys who get to ride the best horses. The top 100 jockeys in the country make 57% of the profession's revenues, for instance. While this year's Kentucky Derby featured a prize of over $2MM, many riders have a better chance of becoming injured (20-1), than of winning the race.

In fact, a recent report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health examined specific concerns related to jockeys' health.  Among health issues, trauma from falls and other racetrack accidents were the greatest reason for missed time.  The study also found that the repetitive and strenuous motions of horse riding could have severe effects on jockey's joints and bones.  Finally, the prevalence of eating disorders was singled out as an area of particular vulnerability.  Minimum riding weights were felt to encourage unhealthy habits, like vomiting and substance abuse. And all of this for a $30,000 a year job that is highly competitive and specialized in an industry with high revenues and rampant financial frivolity. 


The parent company of the Kentucky Derby announced revenue of over $270MM in the quarter following last May's Derby weekend. It seems odd that the Jockeys' Guild, a jockey specific union, would not be able to get a larger chunk of that cash for the workers who actually make the race happen.  But the guild has struggled due to chronic mismanagement, and recently went through bankruptcy proceedings.  Needless to say, it has not posed an economic threat to the industry. 

Politics, another possible avenue for change, are particularly important in horse racing, with many states completely controlling facilities or regulating them.  But since the Jockeys' Guild is so small (1200 members), and has such limited resources, it's difficult to see inroads being made through lobbying.  In fact, only four states include jockeys as part of their workers' compensation policies, a necessity for a profession so dangerous. Eating disorders and abuse of substances like laxatives and diet pills are also a major concern, although most states still have relatively low minimum weights that exert a downward pressure on jockey's health.  Requirements for protective equipment are still relatively new and not particularly convincing. 

Overall, few jockeys leave the sport in good physical and financial condition. While there are certainly health risks inherent to the industry, riders are not compensated in a way that recognizes the bravery and talent they possess.  A stronger union and more sympathetic government are needed if the workers of the horse racing industry are to be treated equitably.