The Best Horse Racing Tip

What are some tips, facts, and other helpful things for a mother and daughter thinking about joining the racing industry.

My mom and I go to the races each weekend. I've ridden since I was 7. I am 13 now. I currently own a TB mare and know they can be very hot. We have been thinking about purchasing another horse and entering it in the races. She works with a fellow who enters one of his mares in the races. We'd train with him, hopefully.

I'd like information about jockeys and how they're paid, etc.. and the dangerous and joyful possibilities of owning a racing thoroughbred.

You must first have a license to be able to train horses. To apply for a license you have to be fingerprinted and have an FBI background check done. Then, you have to pass the written test, and the barn test. In almost all states you must also have proof of Workers Compensation Insurance.

There are books you can get to study for the trainers test, but that will only help you with the written part of the test. The barn test will most likely require you to make and apply a spider wrap, or some other type of bandage.

The best way to start is to get a job as a groom with a trainer and work your way up. On the job training is the experience you need that will help you get your license to become a good trainer.

You need to purchase a horse that is capable of winning enough money to cover expenses. There are entry fees, barn fees, vet fees, inspection fees, etc. If your horse is not winning enough to cover these fees, you can lose your shirt very quickly. The cost of a horse that is capable of winning could cost several thousands of dollars.

Jockeys are paid on a per mount (race) basis. The fees are between $30 per mount and $100 per mount depending on the purse structure at each particular track. Those are the fees jockeys receive if they do not finish first, second or third. The jockey of the winning horse receives an amount equal to 10% of the winning owner' s share of the total purse. (The winning owner in most states receives 60% of the total purse.) The second place jockey receives 5% of the owner' s share of the second place purse money. (The second place owner receives 20% of the total purse in most states.) The third place jockey receives 5% of the owner' s share of the third place purse money. (The third place owner receives 15% of the total purse in most states.) The most successful jockeys can earn over a million dollars a year. The least successful will make less the $20,000 per year. The record for purse earnings in one year by a jockey is $23,354,960.00* set by Jerry Bailey in 2003. *These are the earnings of the horses, not the jockey. As a rule of thumb, a jockey' s real earnings are approximately 7% of the horses' earnings.

Hope this covers all the info you are looking for.

ADD: Forgot to add that I have a very inmature troll that follows me giving me thumbs down. But this information is correct no matter how many thumbs down I get. Good luck