Obviously, the maximum and minimum weights carried by racehorses varies from one racing jurisdiction to another and also depends, in part, on the discipline in which horses compete. In Britain, horse racing is divided into National Hunt racing, in which horses jump obstacles, and Flat racing, in which horses have no obstacles to negotiate. In National Hunt racing, horses carry a maximum weight of 12st and a minimum weight of 10st 2lb, subject to any weight allowances for inexperienced jockeys, and on the Flat they carry a maximum weight of 10st 2lb and a minimum weight of 8st 2lb, again subject to allowances.
Regardless of the actual numbers involved, all professional jockeys must maintain a certain body weight for races and, historically, have been known to resort to dubious rapid weight-loss techniques, such as self-induced vomiting and taking diuretics, or ‘water’ pills, to do so. Struggles with the scales are nothing new, but in recent years the Professional Jockeys’ Association (PJA) and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) have adopted a more proactive approach to promoting healthy weight loss among jockeys.
Of course, neither National Hunt nor Flat racing impose height restrictions, but the fact remains that taller jockeys struggle to make the weight requirements. Thus, National Hunt jockeys stand around 5’8″ tall, on average, and weigh in at around 10st 3lb, while their Flat counterparts stand around 5’2″ tall, on average, and weight in at around 8st 11lb. Of course, there are always exceptions; Lester Piggott and Sir Anthony McCoy maintained average riding weights of 8st 5lb and 10st 10lb, respectively, despite both being 5’10” tall.
Yes, you do. Amateur jockeys must hold, at least, a Category ‘A’ Amateur Licence issued by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Before applying for such a licence, applicants must successfully complete a two-day assessment course run by the British Racing School in Newmarket or the National Horseracing College in Doncaster. They must then submit an application to the BHA
Without wishing to rain on anyone’s parade, perhaps the first points to make are that trainee jockeys need to be between 16 and 25 years of age, physically fit and be able to ride between 8st 2lb and 10st 2lb, on the Flat, or between 10st 2lb and 12st, over jumps. Those caveats aside, the first step to becoming a jockey is to complete a Level 1 Diploma in Racehorse Care at the British Racing School (BRS) in Newmarket or the National Horseracing College (NHC) in Doncaster. You will need to demonstrate your fitness beforehand, but no previous riding experience is required. It is worth noting, though, that courses are heavily over-subscribed and, according to the BRS, less than 5% of attendees go on to become jockeys.
Run over three miles at Kempton Park, the King George VI Chase was inaugurated in February 1937 and named in honour of the new monarch, King George VI, who ascended the throne following the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII, the previous December. However, the King George VI Chase has been the Boxing Day highlight at the Sunbury-on-Thames course since 1947. Its roll of honour includes the likes of Arkle, Kauto Star, Mill House, Burrough Hill Lad and Long Run, all of whom feature in the top-ten highest-rated steeplechasers of the Timeform era.