Jockeying For Millions: What America's Best Riders Earn In A Year Of Thoroughbred Racing

A prize steed can pull in a handsome sum every year. Even America's highest-earning blue-ribbon riders get just 10% of what an owner collects. Jockeys in second and third place take home 5% of the owner's portion -- which falls to 20% for second place and 10% for third -- and the numbers drop off quickly from there. The best jockeys make it up in volume, riding in as many as seven or eight races per workday. They don't typically have sponsors, as advertising rules differ worldwide and some owners need to provide prior approval. Jockeys, agents and others in the horse-racing industry are quick to say that even after whatever ad money can eke through, jockey earnings aren't commensurate with the danger they put themselves in.