A guide to amateur and professional jockeys in the UK
In this educational guide I’ll answer some questions about amateur and professional jockeys in the UK, and the transition from one status to the other. I’ll cover the definition of amateur in this scenario, explain the process of becoming a professional jockey, and reveal how much income a professional can achieve. Hopefully you will find the information useful, and if you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out.
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Answers to your top three questions about UK jockeys
As mentioned, I want to tackle some of the questions I’m often asked about jockeys. There are many questions I could have chosen to answer, but I’ve picked three of the most popular ones for today’s guide. However, given there is plenty of interest in the topic, I may well do a part two!
What is an amateur jockey?
There are amateur riders in both Flat racing and Jumps racing. An amateur is any jockey who has not made the switch to professional jockey status. There could be any number of reasons for that, but often it’s because they have full-time jobs, so it’s more of a hobby. As such, they do not get paid for riding, they are doing it purely for fun and/or the love of the sport.
Despite their status, amateur jockeys can ride against professionals in a race, even at the highest level. A classic example would be Patrick Mullins winning the 2025 Aintree Grand National aboard Nick Rockett. As Patrick was (and still is) an amateur, he didn’t get a share of the £500,000 prize money awarded for first place in that prestigious race. For context, a professional jockey would have scooped 9%, which equates to £45,000.
Whilst amateurs can race against the professionals, there are also specific races for amateur jockeys only, which is where you will most often find them. This way they are racing against fellow amateurs, and it largely levels the playing field for them. If you are looking at a racecard, you will be able to spot the amateur riders quite easily because their names are always prefixed by their title e.g. Mr, Mrs, Miss, Captain, and so on.
How do you become a professional jockey?
To become a professional jockey in the UK, there are set criteria you must meet. First, you must be at least 16 years old and work at least 16 hours per week in a licensed racing stable in order to gain experience. You do not need academic qualifications to start the process, but you must have basic riding ability and be physically fit. However, if you don’t have GSCEs in English and Maths, you will be required to study those subjects.
The first step towards becoming a jockey is obtaining a Level 1 Diploma in Racehorse Care at the National Horseracing College (NHC) and The British Racing School (BRS). This is a 12-18 week course, which is full time and residential. The course covers many core topics including horse care, riding racehorses, health and safety, stable management and basic racing knowledge.
Once you have the Level 1 Diploma under your belt, you will start a formal apprenticeship in a racing yard under the supervision of a licensed trainer, who will go on to sponsor your licence application later on. During the apprenticeship, which is typically 18 months long, you will complete a Level 2 Diploma in Work-Based Racehorse Care or an Equine Groom Apprenticeship.
There are then two final steps. First you must pass a Pre-Licence Assessment, which involves attending a one-day assessment at the NHC or BRS. You will be evaluated on your skills and knowledge and must also pass a medical exam. If you pass the pre-assessment, a mandatory two week residential licence course at the NHS or BRS comes next. Upon successful completion, you can apply to the BHA for an Apprentice licence for Flat racing if you are aged from 16 to 26, or a Conditional licence for National Hunt racing, which your trainer must sign off.
How much do professional jockeys make?
There isn’t a straightforward answer to that question, it’s a fairly complex topic and there are a number of factors that come into play. Firstly, there are two different fee structures: fixed fees and a percentage of the prize money. In addition, both types of fees work differently for Flat Racing and National Hunt Racing.
I’ll start with the simple part, the fixed riding fees. Now unlike other sports, football for example, where every player negotiates their salary as a part of their contract, jockeys only earn a fixed fee per ride. The same fee applies whether they are among the top jockeys like Sean Bowen, Harry Cobden and Harry Skelton, or newly-licensed professionals yet to make their mark. As of 2026, the current riding fees are £173.54 per race for Flat races, and £235.90 per race for National Hunt races.
When it comes to the prize money element, there are a number of variables. The amount the jockey takes home varies between Flat and National Hunt races, and where the horse placed. On average, Flat jockeys are paid 7% of the advertised prize money for a win, and 2.61% for a place. National Hunt jockeys receive 9% of the prize money for a win, and 3.44% for a place.
To give you a top end example, when Mark Walsh rode Inothewayurthinkin to victory in the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the advertised prize money for first place was £364,313.57 of which Mark received £32,788.22, plus his standard £235.90 riding fee.
A few final words about jockeys
If you’ve reached this point, it’s easy to see why many jockeys opt to retain their amateur status. The process of becoming a professional jockey is a fairly lengthy one, and depending on your starting point, it could take up to three years to get your license. It will take a lot of work, and you will need a licensed racing trainer to support you.
In terms of the financial side, it obviously depends on your success in the saddle. Newly-qualified jockeys inevitably don’t get many rides, and they can struggle at the start of their careers. However, if they prove themselves competent, more bookings follow, and the riding fees alone can quickly add up. For those who make it to the top, and achieve success in high-level races with big prize money, it can become a very financially rewarding career!
Of course, being a professional jockey isn’t all sunshine and roses. Even if you get to the stage of being booked regularly, there is a huge amount of travelling involved. You’ll have weight management and fitness to consider, plus you’ll need to cope with the negativity that erupts if you don’t perform well. Add to that the ever-present worries about injury, especially for Jumps jockeys, who can sometimes be out of the saddle for months following a bad fall.
I hope this guide has helped to increase your understanding of the difference between amateur and professional jockeys. I would like to think that it has also increased your respect for the professionals who give their lives to our favourite sport. Lastly, if you do have any questions I haven’t answered here, please feel free to reach out to me. I’d be more than happy to publish a part two on this topic, as there’s so much more to be covered!
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