Jockey
Jockeys are licensed to ride racehorses in races for horse trainers and owners.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
On a typical day you could:
- plan racing strategies with the owner and trainer
- ride one or more horses
- keep up a fitness regime at home or in the gym
- travel to and ride at race tracks around the UK or possibly overseas
- watch race replays and review your performance
Working environment
You could work at a race track or at a riding stable.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and you'll travel often.
Career path and progression
You could work for one or several trainers or owners as a self-employed jockey.
You could go on to work for stables in countries like Dubai, Japan and the USA.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- persistence and determination
- physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- physical fitness and endurance
- leadership skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- be over 16 years of age
- pass a medical check
- pass a fitness test
All jockeys need to pass a licence course and renew their licence every year.
Amateur riders need to get an Amateurs Riding Permit.
You also have to meet strict weight requirements which vary depending on whether you are flat racing or a jump jockey.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- switching from amateur to professional racing
The first step to a racing apprenticeship is to apply for a residential foundation course. These are designed to see if you have the potential to succeed and for you to see if this is what you really want to do.
The residential training lasts from 14 to 18 weeks and includes how to look after and ride race horses, and health and safety. Training takes place at the National Horseracing College and The British Racing School.
If you do well, you may be offered the opportunity to work in a racing stable and start an intermediate apprenticeship as an equine groom. You would then go on to do a senior equine groom advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You can apply if you're aged 16 or over and work at least 16 hours a week in a licensed racing stable.
There are no qualification requirements. You'll study English and maths if you do not have GCSEs in those subjects.
More Information
You could start as a stable hand in a training stables and work your way up.
If you're already working in a racing yard, you could talk to your employer about applying for the racing apprenticeship programme.
You may be able to move into professional racing if you've got experience as an amateur jockey. You would need to complete training to get a professional racing licence.
Career tips
If you're young, you can get an idea of what it's like to race by trying a taster day at your local pony club. The Pony Racing Authority puts on training and races for riders of all abilities.
Further information
You can find out more about becoming a jockey from The British Racing School and careersinracing.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.