How Much Do Jockeys Get Paid In South Africa?
South Africa is one of the most popular horse racing destinations in the world. It is home to some of the world’s most famous tracks and racecourses, many of which are also among the most lucrative. Horse racing is so popular in South Africa that it even has a nickname: “Horse Country”. The high demand for thoroughbreds has also made South Africa one of the most lucrative racing markets in the world. That being said, horse racing isn’t cheap either. Jockeys here can expect to earn less than their counterparts in other parts of the world. This article will explain how much you can earn as a jockey in South Africa, as well as some things you should know before deciding on this path as your career.
How Much Should You As A Jockey Expect To Earn In South Africa?
First, let’s talk about how much a jockey can expect to earn in South Africa. It should be noted that this will vary depending on several factors. Firstly, let’s talk about the race schedule. The South African race schedule is fairly standard and generally runs from December to March. The peak season for Thoroughbred racing in South Africa is from January to March, which is when most jobs as a jockey open up. Although every year is different, this is generally when you’ll have the most opportunities for work as a jockey in South Africa.
What Does A Jockey Earn In South Africa?
As a jockey, you can expect to earn a minimum of R12,355 per day or R2,373 per hour. This is on top of the winning prize money, which can be anything from R1,000 to R200,000 per race. In this example, a jockey can expect to earn R52,455 per month or R11,919 per week. You can see that even at minimum daily pay, jockeys in South Africa earn a significant amount of money.
How To Become A Jockey In South Africa
To become a jockey in South Africa, you need to complete a training course. There are several different training centres in South Africa, and it may be worth contacting them all to see what’s available. Training centres in South Africa generally offer a few different types of courses. You may have something like a “basic rider course”, which is something like an entry-level course and covers the basics of horse riding, like how to groom, saddle, and lead your horse. Alternatively, you may have something like a “higher level rider course”, which takes you to a slightly higher level of expertise and can cover things like training methods and race days in detail.
What are the Career Options for a South African Jockey?
You may be wondering what the career options are for a jockey in South Africa. In short, it can be very lucrative. The longest race in South Africa is the two-day Durban July Meeting, which is held in Durban, South Africa. With 497 races, in addition to the races being held in Durban, this is one of the most lucrative races in the world.
Riding School Jobs
The most common career path for a jockey in South Africa is to either become a riding instructor or a riding school manager. Both of these roles require very similar skills to a jockey, and it’s possible to teach most of the necessary skills to an entry-level riding instructor or riding school manager. If you do end up becoming a riding school manager, this can be extremely lucrative. Not only can you expect a nice salary, but also you could earn a percentage of entrance fees and tips charged by the students.
Bona Fide Trainers and Stable Owners
Another fairly common career path for a jockey in South Africa is to become a trainer/trainer. Like a riding instructor, you probably have most of the skills you’d need to become a trainer. You can expect to earn a salary as a trainer, though it is possible to earn a percentage of the purse winnings. If you want to earn a percentage of purse winnings, you can either become an apprentice trainer and work your way up, or look into becoming a groom who moves up to trainer status.
Conclusion
Horse racing is incredibly popular in South Africa, and there are many opportunities to become a jockey in this part of the world. You can expect to earn a minimum of R12,355 per day, and R52,455 per month as a jockey. The career options for a jockey in South Africa are very lucrative, and it is possible to earn a significant amount of money.
