Jockeys Horse Racing on Animal Planet Reality TV
Thoroughbred Racing Exposes Competition, Earnings, and Injuries
Sep 24, 2009
Animal Planet brings horse racing to television through its reality docu-series Jockeys. Jockeys follows Thoroughbred horse racing challenges faced by six jockeys, a mix of four men and two women. The reality show highlights the strength and determination needed to pursue the competitive, dangerous, and often low-paying career.
The show's third season tracks Thoroughbred jockeys Chantal Sutherland, Mike Smith, Kayla Stra, Alex Solis, Joe Talamo, Aaron Gryder and introduces two new jockeys Garrett Gomez and Corey Nakatani, who are at the height of their careers as they compete in the most dangerous two minutes in sports.
Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet states, “The challenges the jockeys confront – risk, trust, friendship and competition – are universal and have the power to resonate with all our viewers – from horse lovers to those being introduced to this remarkable world for the first time.”
Jockeys provides a rare behind the scenes view of horse racing from the jockeys perspective and depicts the battles faced each time they mount a horse in pursuit of fame and fortune.
Jockeys Make a Living from Mount Fees and Thoroughbred Racing Purses
Jockeys are independent contractors paid a nominal mount fee of $35-$100 per race to ride a horse. If placed in the top three, a jockey will also receive a percentage of the purse. Whether a jockey places in fourth or last position, he or she will only earn the mount fee.
Jockeys ride for a combination of fame and fortune, although a rare few reach the Triple Crown races and attain the large purses these races offer. The average annual earnings range from $30,000-$40,000, a combination of mount fees and small purses, with only a small percentage of jockeys reaching six figures.
Jockeys Risk Injury and Death in Pursuit of Horse Racing Fame and Fortune
For this small sum of money, jockeys risk their lives in pursuit of their careers. The Jockeys’ Guild receives 2,500 injury notifications each year with the average jockey being sidelined with injuries three times per year. Jockey Aaron Gryder reflects on his worst injury, “I fell on my head, fracturing my skull and three vertebrae in my back, and sprained my neck.”
Horse racing is not the typical day job and it can even be highly damaging or even deadly. On average, two jockeys lose their lives on tracks in the United States each year with many jockeys often suffering concussions, fractures, or paralysis.
Jockey Weight and Managing Health for Horse Racing Weigh-Ins
Each horse race has a weight requirement which a jockey must meet in order to compete. Before each race, jockeys weigh in and those not making the weight often force their bodies to meet the guidelines. It’s widely known that some jockeys resort to purging, or flipping as it’s often called, to reduce weight quickly with estimates indicating 30 percent follow this practice. Alternatively, using a sauna to induce sweating or dehydration may is also done.
In a April 14, 2004 Seattle Times article, “The Life of a Jockey is Thrills and Spills,” author Scott Hanson quotes former jockey Vann Belvoir as stating, "You're taking a 5-foot-7 to 5-8 body that is supposed to weigh 160, and making it weigh 115 to 117. That's not easy. I was always dehydrated. You're hardly eating anything and spending hours in the hot box (sauna). Twice, I was hospitalized with dehydration and almost died.”
Dangerous illnesses and long-term medical conditions can result from these unhealthy weight management practices.
Jockeys Highlights the Risk and Rewards of Thoroughbred Racing
Battling low-earnings in a tough and physically demanding career, jockeys demonstrate their passion and commitment to the sport and its lifestyle. Jockeys race in pursuit of fame and fortune while risking health and placing themselves in life-threatening situations.
Animal Planet gives a peek inside the Thoroughbred racing world through Jockeys third season currently airing on Fridays at 9PM. The seven part docu-series began airing in August and will complete in October. Jockeys season 3 full episodes can be viewed online from the Animal Planet web site.
Sources:
Jockeys, Animal Planet press kit(Season 3, 2009)
Seattle Times, “The Life of a Jockey is Thrills and Spills” Scott Hanson (Apr. 14, 2004)
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