How to Become A Jockey In South Africa

A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.

At what age can you become a jockey?

Apply for a jockey apprenticeship license.

In the United States, many states require applicants to be at least 16 years old and meet specific height and weight requirements.

Is being a jockey hard?

First and foremost, being a jockey is no easy way to make a living. It is a tough demanding life, physically, emotionally, mentally, and even dietary. There are no guarantees, no off seasons, and the competition gets tougher with more success and recognition.

How do you train to be a jockey?

Many jockeys attend jockey school, but the best way to learn is by apprenticing with a respected, professional jockey. A proper apprenticeship will teach you the ropes and prepare you for schooling races that will help you learn the rules of racing, safety, and how the race world works.

South African Jockey Academy

The South African Jockey Academy is the only institution in South Africa that offers youth an academic and practical apprentice programme to qualify as professional jockeys.

Well known and highly acclaimed worldwide this jockey academy is situated in Summerveld, a state of the art horse training facility outside of Durban, that is run by Gold Circle and boasts a rich history.

Established in 1958 the South African Jockey Academy has grown from strength to strength in producing leading jockeys, many of whom have gone on to receive top honours internationally.

The South African Jockey Academy has satellite campuses in Cape Town. There is also an academy based in Gauteng that is funded and administered by The Racing Trust.

Apprentices begin their initial training in at the Academy situated at Summerveld near Durban and are fed through to the other two training centres once they are competent at riding in races.

​Many international racing clubs and jurisdictions look to SAJA for the training of their apprentices as our quality of training is rated as one of the best in the world.

Below is How to Become A Jockey In South Africa

There are two critical elements to becoming a jockey; a love of riding, and the right body type. The best way to gain experience is to begin riding and caring for horses as early as possible. Working with horses allows aspiring jockeys to learn how horses behave, which will help them when it comes to race training.

If a person enjoys working with horses and wants to be a jockey, a good next step would be to gain experience working at a race track or a stable. Getting a foot in the door could eventually lead to grooming horses or ‘exercising’ them which involves riding a horse around a course at a gallop, as a practise run.

The next step is to begin participating in schooling races, which are specially designed events meant to teach new jockeys how to properly exit a gate and handle the horse during a race.

Some racetracks require jockeys to have a license to participate. License fees and qualifications depend on where you live. Once a jockey is licensed they are able to ride professionally.

There are also Jockey Training Programs available. Students learn everything from the anatomy of a horse, to racing strategy, to how to groom and bandage a horse’s legs and how to muck out stalls.

How much do jockeys earn in South Africa?

R207,662 (ZAR)/yr.

How do you train to be a jockey In South Africa?

Many jockeys attend jockey school, but the best way to learn is by apprenticing with a respected, professional jockey. A proper apprenticeship will teach you the ropes and prepare you for schooling races that will help you learn the rules of racing, safety, and how the race world works.

Is being a jockey hard In South Africa?

First and foremost, being a jockey is no easy way to make a living. It is a tough demanding life, physically, emotionally, mentally, and even dietary. There are no guarantees, no off seasons, and the competition gets tougher with more success and recognition. Staying on top is as hard or even harder than getting there.

Do jockeys need to be strong In South Africa?

Since boxers compete in weight classes, and jockeys must keep their weight down, let’s consider fitness issues on a pound-for-pound basis. Boxers are strong, but strength is not a key to success. Jockeys, on the other hand, must be very strong (again, pound for pound)

What is the average weight and height of a jockey?

On average, a horse jockey weighs between 108 to 118 Pounds & their Average Height Is 4’10” to 5’6 ″ It takes a lot of hard work and discipline for a rider to maintain weight. Jockeys have to meet minimum weight requirements to make sure all horses in a race are fairly matched.

Is it too late to become a jockey?

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association regulates when and how jockeys can compete. Each jockey has to be licensed in order to ride in a race, and most states don’t grant those until the jockey in question is 18 years old. Some of that is luck, but a bad jockey can doom a horse before the race starts.

At what age do most jockeys retire In South Africa?

Flat vs Jump Jockeys

Jump jockeys tend to leave the sport when they’re 35, compared to flat racing jockeys who retire at the age of 45 on average. There are numerous reasons why a jockey might choose to no longer take part in racing, with their physical health high on the list.

How long is a jockeys career In South Africa?

Much like in golf, the career of a professional jockey can stretch for three decades or, for a select few, even longer. Unlike golfers, however, jockeys must endure the incredible strain (and the life-threatening danger) of sitting on top of thousand-pound animals running in packs as fast as automobiles.

How old is the average horse jockey In South Africa?

Interestingly enough, the average age of jockeys is 40+ years old, which represents 39% of the population.