Saffron ‘Saffie’ Osborne is, of course, the daughter of National Hunt jockey-turned-trainer Jamie Osborne and, in recent seasons, has found fame as the ‘Queen of the Racing League’. On September 15, 2022, she rode a 6,539/1 treble in the final round of the six-week series, sponsored by William Hill, to win the £20,000 leading jockey award. At that point, she said, ‘I’d never even ridden a treble before, so to get a £20,000 bonus on top of it is quite nice.’

Two months later, on November 16, 2022, Osborne rode out her remaining 3lb claim, courtesy of the two-year-old Monopolise, trained by Ed Walker, in a nursery handicap at Kempton. In her first season as a fully-fledged professional, she picked up where she left off when the Racing League kicked off again at Yarmouth on July 27, 2023, partnering winners Chinese Knot (11/2), Stone Circle (17/2) and Alnilam (9/4) for another 200/1 treble. Just over two weeks later, she also played a starring role, alongside Hollie Doyle and Hayley Turner, in the winning ‘Girls’ team on Shergar Cup Day at Ascot on his first appearance in the event.

Saffie Osborne rode her first winner on the Flat, the two-year-old Hot Scoop, trained by her father, in a novice stakes race, over six furlongs, at Windsor on July 27, 2020. The following October, she was hospitalised have suffered multiple injuries, including a broken arm and ribs, in a fall at the same course. However, having ridden nine winners in her first season, she increased her seasonal tally to 40 in 2021, finishing second behind Marco Ghiani in the apprentices’ championship, and again, to 46, in 2022. A knee injury the following year didn’t slow her down for long as she won the Lord Glitters Handicap on 16th February 2024, becaming the first female jockey to win a race at Meydan Racecourse.

Of course, the Flat Jockeys’ Championship is decided on the total number of winners ridden, not the total amount of prize money accrued, during the ‘season’. Until 2015, winners ridden during the whole of the traditional Flat racing season on turf, between late March or early April and early November, counted towards the jockeys’ title, regardless of whether they were achieved on turf or all-weather surfaces. However, increasingly worried by the punishing schedule faced by Flat jockeys, particularly those in pursuit of the title, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) effectively shortened the season by approximately eight weeks.

Nowadays, the Flat Jockeys’ Championship is decided over the period between the Guineas Festival at Newmarket in early May and British Champions’ Day at Ascot in October, when the trophy is presented to the winning jockey. Indeed, on October 21, 2023, William Buick was crowned Champion Jockey for the second year running, having ridden 135 winners from 616 rides, at a strike rate of 22%. Buick, 35, was Champion Apprentice, alongside David Probert, as long ago as 2008, but has been retained by Goldolphin, under the auspices of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, since January, 2015 and is currently first jockey to Charlie Appleby at Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket.

It would be fair to say that Buick won his second jockeys’ title fairly comfortably, with Oisin Murphy (106), Rossa Ryan (104) and Tom Marquand (102) the only other jockeys to reach three figures during the championship period. However, in terms of prize money, his seasonal tally of £3.8 million was some way behind the £4 million and £4.4 million accrued by Marquand and Murphy respectively and even further behind the £5.8 million racked up by Lanfranco ‘Frankie’ Dettori in his ‘farewell’ season on British soil. Top of the heap, through, was Ryan Moore, who rode 46 winners, but accumulated an astonishing £7.4 million in total prize money.

Who hasn’t heard of Frankie Dettori? Probably one of the most popular race riders ever to have ridden a horse in the UK.

To be fair, I have no idea what a top-ranked jockey earns.

But how much can a jockey earn over their lifetime?

Obviously it is in the millions.

But which country has the high earners? I was surprised to find that most of the top jockeys come from the United States and particularly Japan. In fact, their financial status dwarfs all other countries with 41 of the 50 top earners from those two power houses.

Here’s a question: ‘Is there a jockey so talented, with big, bigger, biggest earnings which comes pretty close to being a billionaire?’

Have you heard of Japanese jockey extraordinaire Yutake Take?

I remember him riding in the UK but never realised he was so successful or rich. With career wins totalling 4,408 he’s amassed a whopping bank balance of $925 million.

Pretty close to the billion, hey.

They say like father like son, and his Dad was also a jockey called ‘The Wizard of the Turf’.

Yutake Take was born in 1969. He made his riding debut in 1987. Within the year, he had ridden 69 winners which had never been seen before by a rookie. The following year he achieved 100 winners. Two years later he was crowned champion jockey, an accolade he held continuously until 1999 (bar 1991).

Race horse Deep Impact saw the jockey achieve the pinnacle of racing in 2005 winning the Japanese Triple Crown.

Other significant horses he rode include: Air Groove, Oguri Cap, Kane Hikili, Kitasan Black, Kizuna, Mejiro McQueen, Silence Suzuka, Smart Falcon, Special Week and Super Creek.

In addition, he has raced at all major countries including: United Kingdom, France, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates.

He has many honours including JRA Grand Prize Jockey, JRA Award for Best Jockey (newcomer), JRA Award for Best Jockey (races won), JRA Award for Best Jockey (winning average), JRA Award for Best Jockey (money earned) & JRA Special Award.

His personal life he is married.

His brother, Koshiro, who was a successful jockey and now trainer.

Today Yutake Take is a legend in Japan.

The true strength of a jockey lies in mastering a wide range of life skills that extend beyond the racetrack. Life doesn’t stop when you’re off the track, so it’s best to have the necessary skills to create balance between your career and everyday living. A healthy and well-rounded lifestyle is exactly what can turn an aspiring rider into a world-class champion.

Staying Safe Online and Smart Tech Use

This might seem like an odd point to make, but jockeys always have to be cautious about what they share online. Personal and professional information, such as location, training schedules, or contract details, can be misused by scammers, hackers, or even competitors. In more serious instances, leaked information can lead to stolen identity, online harassment, or damage to professional relationships.

As more smart safety vests, helmets, motion sensors, and multiple software are introduced into the sport, upcoming jockeys must now learn how to protect their data and stay in control. Beyond personal use, tech tools also have a hand in growing interest in the business side of sport, especially where racing meets online entertainment.

We all know the excitement surrounding a big racing weekend, where bettors get ready to place their wagers online. For UK bettors, sites accepting credit cards have become the preferred choice because they offer a familiar and secure payment method that makes it easier for fans to get involved and stay engaged with the sport. According to gambling expert Matt Bastock, these sites offer different processing speeds, fees, and benefits. It’s important to choose the right one for your budget.

Financial Literacy and Independence

Unlike the average nine-to-five, a jockey’s income can be unpredictable, with some months doing extremely well and others rather poorly in comparison. That’s why budgeting skills and learning how to manage money during high-earning periods help create stability during quieter times.

Saving responsibly, investing for the future, and setting spending limits are everyday habits that can offer long-term financial peace of mind. This is especially important because horse racing is a physical sport, where one serious injury could end a jockey’s career on the spot. Having a financial safety net in place helps reduce stress and ensures greater security. No matter what the future holds.

It’s also important to understand the taxes and financial responsibilities that come with being a professional athlete. This includes knowing which taxes apply and what can be claimed, such as travel costs, equipment purchases, training fees, and medical expenses related to your career. Tax obligations like the “jock tax” in the US requires filing income taxes in multiple states or countries where you perform, and making estimated tax payments if the taxes are not automatically withheld.

Health, disability, and liability insurance coverage should also be considered when you’re starting as a jockey. Building this kind of knowledge doesn’t have to wait until later in life. It’s something that can and should start early. Even with allowances or part-time earnings, starting financial education early encourages smart money habits in the long run.

Personal Branding and Professional Identity

Every jockey brings something unique to the sport. Defining your strengths, values, and career goals allows you to stand out, but a strong brand is only as good as the reputation behind it. This is why daily conduct matters just as much as public image.

How you behave on and off the track matters because professionalism, honesty, and integrity build trust. Social media presence should be managed carefully to reflect what you stand for as a rider and an individual. Networking within the racing industry can open doors to new opportunities and long-term support. Maintaining a solid reputation also supports future ambitions, especially when planning for life beyond active competition.

Conclusion

A jockey’s career may not last forever, so it’s wise to plan ahead. Setting short- and long-term goals and seeking ways to build new skills help prepare for future roles. Whether in coaching, training, media, or equine care, jockeys can build not just a career, but a fulfilling and sustainable life beyond the saddle. If they have the right skills in hand.