Becoming a jockey

[bluen32]

Hello, so I'm 16 years old (nearly 17), weigh 8st 3lb, relatively fit and for a while now I have thought about about working in the horse racing industry but the thing that I definitely would want the most is to be a jockey. I have no experience with horses or have any affiliation with horses(no racing or horses background in my family or area) but I believe that I am a hard working guy who can put in the effort when needed. I have noticed that a lot of or maybe all of the successful jockeys have started from young age or come from a racing background so are given greater opportunities and I feel very disadvantaged because of that so that has been one of the main reasons why I have some doubts in doing this

I just would like to know a few things, what are my realistic chances of becoming a jockey, what is it like to work in horse racing whether it be as a work rider or jockey etc and what are some essential skills to have?

thanks

 

[poiuytrewq]

Apply for racing school.
They will start you from absolute scratch and yes, you have every chance of making a go of working in racing regardless of background.
Look at the British racing school website.
Good luck!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Plenty of jockeys come from non horse related back grounds. The first thing you need to do is book yourself onto the 14 week foundation course at the British Racing School in Newmarket. They will teach you to ride racehorses from scratch. At the end of the course you will be guaranteed a job in a racing yard where you can progress your learning and if good enough the trainer can put you forward for your jockeys licence.

Once you have your place secured on the Newmarket course drop emails/messages/ring local racing yards and offer your services. Be completely open at the fact you know nothing about horses and your career hopes and aspirations. There are always jobs needing done on yards that don't involve riding or being in direct contact with the horses and most yards will start to teach you how to look after the horses om the ground.

It's very hard but rewarding work working in racing. You need to want to do it because it really is hard going physically and mentally. You need a tough, thick skin, a brain that asks sensible questions, knows when to ask them and when to keep their mouth shut. You also need a sharp tongue to give back all the jibs you get otherwise you will find yourself bottom of the pecking order and mostly forgotten. If you truly want to become a jockey you need to work twice as hard as everyone else. Jump to tasks before your even asked to do them, basically kiss ass in a hard working way not just to the trainer but to the assistant trainer and head lad - these guys matter too in most yards, a good word from them in the bosses ear will get you noticed.

Be prepared for early starts, long days, only getting every other weekend off still in most yards, all weathers - we don't stop for wind, rain, snow or sunshine! Forget about spending a week at home for Christmas, the horses still need looked after 365 days of the year.

If your heart is set on it go in with all guns blazing. But I would also say have a back up plan. If it doesn't work out or you find you don't like what racing has to offer then you need a plan to fall back on before you get stuck in a rut that becomes very hard to get out of.

This is where you need to start and the sooner you apply the sooner you can be assessed and asigned a course start date:

https://brs.org.uk/