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Occupation Information
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Jockey



Duties and Tasks
Quick Facts
Work Conditions
Personal Requirements
Related Industries
Labour Market
Related Jobs
Earnings
Related Courses
Further Information
State Specific Information

Discussing with the trainer as to how best to approach the coming race
Discussing with the trainer as to how best to approach the coming race

Jockeys ride racehorses at race meetings, in trials and for exercise. 

Fact Sheet

Duties and Tasks

Jockeys may perform the following tasks:

  • receive instructions from trainers and owners before races
  • ride horses during exercises, race trials and races
  • judge the abilities of each horse and the best tactics to use to win each race
  • discuss performances of horses with trainers after races or exercise gallops
  • report anything that may have affected the horse's performance in a race to stewards and other racing authorities
  • answer stewards' enquiries regarding the performance of their horse
  • study videotapes of races to improve their own performance and to work out the best way to ride certain horses, after discussion with the trainer
  • maintain their own riding equipment, including saddles and boots.

Info Icon Quick Facts

Learning Area Physical Education  
Rural Studies  
Work Demand Including full use of hands/fingers  
Including mainly outdoor work  
Including physical effort  
Including reading or writing  
Work Field Agriculture, Animal and Primary Industries  
Art, Design, Music and Entertainment  
Work Interest Nature or Recreation  
Skill Level Skilled Trade Jobs  
Quick Facts

Work Conditions

A jockey's time is usually split between early morning trackwork and riding at race meetings. Apprentice jockeys often live at the stables and may be initially required to perform the same work as stablehands. Jockeys must pay careful attention to diet and exercise, as they have to keep their weight down.

Personal Requirements

  • enjoy working with horses
  • light build
  • athletic, with a good sense of balance
  • steady nerves
  • competitive
  • age and weight limits apply.

Related Industries

Sports and Recreation Activities

Labour Market

Information

Australian JobOutlook for Outdoor Adventure Guides

Vacancies

Australian JobSearch for Sportspersons, Coaches and Sporting Officials (ALL AUSTRALIA)
Work Opportunities websites

Related Jobs

Bookmaker
Farrier
Horse Manager
Horse Trainer
Sports Administrator
Sportsperson

Earnings

View text version of earnings

Occupation Earnings Graph

Occupation Mean Weekly Earnings Graph

How Much?

Related Courses

New South Wales / ACT
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Further Information

Alice Springs Turf Club
Australian Jockeys' Association (AJA)
Darwin Turf Club Inc
Queensland Racing
Racing NSW
Racing Victoria Ltd
Tasmanian Thoroughbred Racing Council
Thoroughbred Racing SA
Western Australian Turf Club

State Specific Information

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Waiting nervously in the stock until the race starts
Waiting nervously in the stock until the race starts