Jockeys combine their love of sport and their affinity for horses in their paid work.

There are approximately 90 registered jockeys in Western Australia, and although nearly 80 per cent of them are male, females are increasingly showing an interest in this occupation.

Most jockeys are employed in the Perth metropolitan area.

Each year, the number of people commencing a Jockey Apprenticeship varies.

The Life Of A Jockey

Taking their directions from horse trainers, jockeys ride racehorses during track work, barrier trials and race meetings on behalf of horse owners and trainers.

''I get up at around 3.30 in the morning, six days a week, and head off to the track where I do track work with up to 18 horses. I usually spend about five hours riding and working the horses. After that I talk to the trainer about the horses' performance and report anything that may have affected this, such as any injuries,'' says Paul King, one of Western Australia's leading jockeys.



Paul says that this is also a good opportunity to discuss race tactics.

Registered jockeys like Paul are not required to clean stables or yards, however, that was not the case during his days as an apprentice. Apprentices must also feed and groom racehorses, and clean yards and stables in addition to riding the horses during track work or races. Apprentice jockeys compete alongside qualified jockeys, but they are given a weight allowance, which can reduce the weight a horse carries by up to three kilograms.

Jockeys can work long hours. The work is physically demanding and the days start very early. But a passion for riding largely supercedes any of the downsides of being a jockey. Jockeys will tell you that determination and dedication are essential if you're planning to get involved in this line of work.



Practice Makes Perfect

Jockeys also participate in trial days - this is usually a Monday and Tuesday for Paul, where practice races are held before a true race. No bets are placed during trial days. Trials are used to improve the fitness and racing manners of the horses and to help apprentice jockeys learn to ride in race conditions.

On race day it's off to Belmont or Ascot Racecourse (in the metropolitan area) or provincial tracks such as Pinjarra, Northam or Bunbury racecourses. Even on race days there's enough time for jockeys to do some track work, a good way to psych themselves and the horses up for a race.

Jockeys must be able to maintain their weight within a tight range. Before each race a jockey must weigh in. Their saddle and other race gear, together with the jockey's body weight must be equal to the weight allocated to the horse they are going to ride. After weighing in, the saddles are handed to the trainer or stablehand who looks after the saddling up of the racehorses while the jockeys do some last minute homework.



Time To Get Down To Business

''I still have time to go and study a race. I need to work out my strategy, where I should ride during a race, how I should ride the horse and I'll also consider what the other jockeys' strategy might be for a race. I've also got to memorise the other jockeys' racing colours so I'll know where they are coming compared to my horse during the race,'' says Paul.



However, as to be expected, not everything goes according to plan on race day and jockeys need to change their tactics accordingly. How often a jockey gets chosen to ride on race day will depend largely on their track record and the relationships they have developed with trainers and horse owners.



''I've won some good races but the Kalgoorlie Cup was probably my most memorable because I was riding for a great bunch of owners. They had invested so much time and energy into racing, and I respect that. But then again, every race you win is a great race,'' says Paul, enthusiastically. He has won about 900 races thus far.

Becoming a successful jockey is a combination of practice, natural ability and a desire to succeed. The WA Turf Club trains apprentice jockeys and the WATC Riding Master helps develop style and technique.

''It's all in the hands and the jockey's balance. The hands hold the reins and the reins control the bit in the horses' mouth. How the jockey holds the reins and his or her ability to maintain balance while the horse is moving will determine what the horse will do,'' says Chris Tidy, former WATC Manager of Racing Administration.



Chris also says that while the industry has endured tough times in recent years, there has traditionally been a steady, ongoing demand for well trained jockeys. So while the occupation may be a small sized one, if people choose to go down this career path and they fit the physical requirements, employment opportunities are sound. Apprentice and registered jockeys receive a $100 (plus GST) riding fee in addition to 5 per cent of any prize money the horse they ride may win, for being placed in a race. An apprentice's winnings are kept in a trust account for them by the WA Turf Club until the completion of the apprenticeship. Top apprentice jockeys are much sought after by owners and trainers, and as a result can complete their apprenticeship and be in an excellent financial position.

If you are interested in becoming a registered jockey you will first have to apply to the WA Turf Club and gain a place in its 12 month traineeship. Once accepted you will complete a 10 week intensive training course before being placed with a host trainer for the remainder of the 12 months. If you achieve the required level at the end of the traineeship, you can then apply to complete the Jockey Apprenticeship. Apprenticeship placements are organised by the WA Turf Club. Unsuccessful applicants sometimes seek employment as stablehands or trackwork riders. There is always a strong demand for competent and reliable trackwork riders according to Chris Tidy.

Apprentice jockeys are employed by racehorse trainers under an agreement approved by the WATC. At the completion of the apprenticeship, jockeys become self employed and must work with racehorse trainers and owners. A large number of jockeys go on to become horse trainers later in their careers.

	The WA Turf Club
	PO Box 222 Belmont WA 6984 Phone: (08) 9277 0777

WA Trotting Association
PO Box 6025 East Perth WA 6892 Phone: (08) 9323 3555 Email: info@watrotting.asn.au URL: http://www.harness.org.au/wa/wata.htm

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Being female and having to contend with the view that you're 'physically-weaker' than your male colleagues, is no reason not to become a jockey. Not according to Alana Sansom, a senior jockey from Western Australia.

''When I first started my apprenticeship I did get given a hard time by the male jockeys because there weren't many girls around. But when they knew that I wasn't going to put up with anything, we all just got on with it. Just because females are considered to be physically weaker, it's no reason to back off. If you want something badly enough you can get it, even if people tell you otherwise. You just have to beat the critics mentally,'' says Alana with steely determination.

The 24-year-old jockey, who tips the scales at just 50 kilograms, is in her final year of the three-year Jockey Apprenticeship. To counter some of the criticism surrounding a female's strength she has worked out regularly using an Equicizer. The manually-operated mechanical horse is used by jockeys to help increase their strength and riding skill.

Alana makes no attempt to hide how physically and mentally demanding her job choice has been. Alana, along with other jockeys and senior people in the industry, says that to succeed in this line of work you must be totally committed and focused.

''You have to be really self motivated, which can be hard sometimes, especially when there's been a really quiet spell and you haven't had many wins for a while. There are also the early starts to cope with, and the physical demands of riding up to twelve horses every morning during track work. Then there's the yard work. We have to feed the horses, clean the yard, and then go off and do track work. It's not just about getting on a horse and riding in races,'' she says.

And what about those races? For Alana, there have been lots of wins to boast about in her relatively short riding career.

''I've ridden in well over 2,000 races and I've won about 115 of them. I've also had a couple of trebbles (ridden three winners in the one day) during the Saturday races. But my most memorable race was the Cox Stakes in 2000. It's the lead up race to the Perth Cup and is only held once a year. I was riding 'Old Money' and came first! It was an unbelievable feeling.''

You go girl.