Jockey Profile (2024)

FAQs

What is the average height and weight for a jockey? ›

There is no set height or weight requirement, but the majority of jockeys do not weigh more than 125 pounds, many even less, with height (usually around 5 feet tall) or proportionate to their weight.

The average jockey gets sidelined by injuries about three times a year. A jockey's life off the horse is grueling and, at times, dangerous. The spectre haunting almost every rider is extra weight.

You'd need to be able to handle horses and have a good knowledge of horse care and welfare. It's a demanding job physically: fitness, strength and stamina are required. There are also risks of injury, for example from falls and being kicked by a horse.

The BMI of the 20 jockeys ranged from 17.0 to 21.4 during racing season, with only one jockey in the "underweight" category. This range increased to 19.1-24.0 when the riders were not riding. The most common method of weight loss was the use of steam rooms, to lose an average 2.5 lb in 1 day.

What is the Average Jockey Height? While there is no height limit for jockeys, you can probably imagine that with such extreme weight restrictions – most jockeys are fairly small in stature as well. The average jockey height is 5'2”.

The need to keep weight low week after week has caused some jockeys to turn to extreme measures to control weight including severe dieting, laxatives, appetite suppressants, and the use of saunas, hot baths and diuretics to facilitate fluid loss.

The word "jockey" originated from England and was used to describe the individual who rode horses in racing. They must be light, typically around a weight of 100–120 lb. (45–55 kg), and physically fit.

From the total winning prize, the jockey usually takes home between 8 and 9 per cent of the winnings. For jockeys that place, they normally take around 3.5% of the placed prize money, which is the money left in the pot after the winner takes their share.

Jockeys receive 50% of their riding fee for any non-runner after jockey declarations.

Who is the greatest horse jockey of all time? ›

The Kentucky Derby requires the jockeys weigh a maximum of 126 pounds, which includes the jockey and the gear. So, ultimately the jockeys should not weigh more than 119 pounds, according to Bustle. While there is no height restriction, most jockeys tend to be around 4-foot-10 and 5-foot-6 due to the weight restriction.

Most jockeys start their career at around 16 to 25, although there is no maximum age limit. Jockeys tend to retire around 40-50, and most stay connected to the racing world.

The short answer is that it costs a lot – the average auction price of horses in the 2023 Derby field was around $446,000, and between training, healthcare, equipment and food, you're probably spending about $50,000 before even getting into the Derby particulars.

The Kentucky Derby, for example, has a weight limit of 126 lb (57 kg) including the jockey's equipment. The weight of a jockey racing on the flat usually ranges from 108 to 118 lb (49 to 54 kg).

Jockey Jack Andrews made headlines last year as the world's tallest jockey. The Englishman, standing at a staggering 6 ft 4 in (193cm) towered above the rest of the field, with the average jockey said to be no more than 5ft 2in.

15-year old Kenneth Glover, of Harregate Yorks, is probably the world's smallest jockey. He is so small that the bundles of straw he carried into the stables nearly bury him. He is, in fact, just 4ft.

The jockey has to be able to ride at the weight the horse is assigned to carry, although he can ride up to 5 pounds overweight— i.e., up to 5 pounds over the assigned weight— if the trainer of the horse agrees.