It was a few years ago now whilst first working for the National Centre for Equine Education that I became aware of the career a jockey agent. Pondering the position, I realised that it made sense that jockeys would have agents much like actors may have. So what would the role entail?
Someone who acts as an agent for jockeys would be involved in securing rides for the jockey to undertake. This would mean conversing with trainers and lining up rides in line with a particular jockey’s capabilities, weight and location where they are able to ride. It is possible that the agent also helps to negotiate fees for the rider. This would be done with the trainer who is contracting them to ride in a race.
I have no doubt that the agent gets a cut of the jockey’s earnings, or gets a set fee. In return they will be expected to secure as many rides as possible for a jockey within a race meeting.
After all, the more they ride, the more potential they have to earn and gain a name for themselves. For a jockey agent, it would be beneficial to have good negotiating skills as well as good people skills. And of course a knowledge of local horses, trainers, conditions at particular tracks and the rules of racing.
The Jockey Agent as a Career Choice
Interested in finding out more about this career choice? You can head along to read an article from 2017 about jockey agents. This article covers education and training required, licensing as a jockey agent and even anticipated salary for this role. According to this article, the North American Riding Academy anticipate there being about 1500 licensed jockeys in America.
If you take into consideration that an agent represents 1-3 jockeys in total, this leaves a lot of room for jockey agents to secure clients and work on their behalf! The thoroughbred industry would no doubt have the highest level of jockeys and better purses for race riding. But jockeys are also found amongst other breeds including Quarter Horses, Standardbreds and Arabians. If you love race riding and representing people, then this could be a career choice for you.
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