The Jockey
In sporting terms, his physical activity makes him a top-level athlete bound by a rigorous lifestyle regime. His profession is a highly demanding one that involves real risks, especially in National Hunt racing. During the course of his career, a jockey rides under the colours of different owners, but he may also ride under contract for one owner.
A jockey has to ally technical (a “soft hand”), intellectual (tactical acumen) and physical qualities. In flat racing, he must weigh around 52 kilos and in jumps racing, roughly 61 kilos. In races, he has to simultaneously apply the trainer’s tactical instructions while also trying to avoid the hazards that crop up during the race, all within an average time span of 2 minutes!
The term “soft hand” refers to the quality of contact with the mouth of the horse. This allows him to relax it during the race and tighten it again for the finish line. The jockey also needs to possess the physical qualities of a top-level athlete, as his muscle tone and endurance help him to sustain his partner’s effort until the finish line has been crossed. In common parlance, it is said that a jockey “carries his horse to the finish post”, a remarkable physical feat for a man or woman dramatically restricted by weight.
Before and after each race, jockeys are weighed in their race clothing, complete with saddle: the weight has to be identical, within a tolerance range of 100 gr, or they are disqualified! The cap and whip are excluded from the weighing process.
In order to ride in a race, a jockey must hold a licence - either that of a professional apprentice, young jockey or full jockey, Each year, numerous young men and women with a passion for racing enrol at the various Equestrian Schools - www.afasec.fr – in the hope of making the grade. Through the AFASEC, the École des Courses Hippiques organises “race schools” with an educational vocation that allow the pupils to learn to ride under real race conditions.