How Much Do Jockeys Earn In The UK? 2024 Riders Fee and Prize Money Breakdown 

Horse racing fans often ask the question – how much do jockeys earn in the UK? As they wonder if the rider gets a set fee for each mount and a percentage of any winnings. Read on as we’ve got a full breakdown on jockey earnings, plus the prize money breakdown if they win a race.

How Much Do Jockeys Earn in the UK? The 2024 Breakdown 

UK jockey earnings in 2024 will vary slightly depending if they are riding on the flat or over the jumps.

Based on the official figures from the PJA (Professional Jockeys Association) a flat jockey in the UK will earn £162.79 per ride, while jumps jockeys will pocket £221.28.

Meaning if a horse racing flat jockey in the UK during the 2024 season has five rides over the day they will earn £813.95 in fees alone.

Figures correct as 22nd July 2024 according to PJA 

Do Jockeys Also Get a Percentage Of Any Prize Money and Winnings? 

How much do jockeys earn can also be boosted by winning (or being placed) in a race.

In addition to the set riding fees for each jockey, they will also bag a percentage of any win or place prize money – giving them an added incentive to get their horse over the line first.

Again, this differs between the two horse racing codes (flat and jumps), with the jockeys riding on the flat getting 8.5% of any prize money for winning a race and 2.61% of any place money.

While a jumps rider will earn a bigger 11.03% of any first place winnings and 3.44% of the place prize money.

Depending on the race type and conditions, this will determine how many places the place prize money can go down to.

For example, the 2024 Grand National prize pot went down to 10th place (£5,000) in 2024. Meaning the rider on Limerick Lace (10th) Mark Walsh would have won 3.44% of £5,000 = £172.00 on top of his £221.28 riding fee.

While the winning owners of the 2024 Goodwood Cup, which is run at the five-day Glorious Goodwood Festival, will get £283,550 – meaning the winning jockey will get 8.5% of that – £24,010.75.

Why Do Jumps Jockeys In The UK Get Paid More Than Flat Riders?

Jump jockeys in the UK (2024) get a massive £58.49 more in riding fees than their flat counterparts – but why is this?

In short, jumps or National Hunt races are most of the time longer with the minimum trip 2m. While races like the Grand National can also be run over distances of 4m+ miles, with the world’s greatest steeplechase staged over 4m 2 1/2f.

There is also deemed to be more risk riding over jumps for obvious reasons. But that’s not to say flat racing, which is run over higher speeds, doesn’t also come with many dangers.

In contrast, a lot of the flat races are run over trips between 5f and 1m4f, but there are some longer distance contests run on the level – like the Ascot Gold Cup (2m4f) and Goodwood Cup (2m).

Who Pays the Jockey Riding Fees?

Jockeys are paid by the owners to ride their horses, while some might also have riding arrangements with certain stables and paid this way.

The riding fees for both jump and flat jockeys are negotiated annually between the PJA and the ROA (Racehorse Owners Association). With breakdowns available to all jockeys via their Members Handbook.

Most jockeys will also have agents, and these will also take a slice of their riding fee and winnings for booking their daily rides. These fees will vary between each jockey and their individual arrangement with their agents.

Jockeys will also have valets, who clean and maintain their riding equipment. These valets command a 10% fee for the first ride of the day, then 7.5% for the second and 5% for the third. These valet fees are set and will be deducted from a jockeys’ riding fee.

Does a Jockey Still Get Paid If Their Horse Is A Non-Runner?

Yes, jockeys in the UK get a 50% riding fee for any non-runners. In the UK the horse declaration times are 48 hours (both flat and jumps) for each day.

Therefore, if a horse is deemed a non-runner AFTER being declared to run with a jockey booked, that rider will still get 50% of the fee. Which would be £81.40 (flat) and £110.64 (jumps).

How Are UK Jockeys Paid Their Riding Fees and Winning Percentages?

Each jockey in the UK must have a Weatherbys bank account. Then any riding fees and prize money won is automatically transferred directly into their accounts.

Some Jockeys Will Have Set Riding Arrangements For Certain Owners 

In addition, how much do jockeys earn can also be added to with them having specific riding deals in place with the top owners.

These owners, who have many horses, often like to employ a dedicated rider to steer all their main horses and would get to choice of that owner has more than one runner in a single race.

An example of this would be William Buick (pictured below), who is the number one rider for Godolphin in 2024 and gets to ride all their main horses on a set retainer.

Jockey Earning Examples For Some Of The Biggest UK Horse Races 2024 

Paul Townend Earned £55,371.28 For Winning The 2024 Grand National 

Therefore, based on the 2024 jockey figures, UK riding fees and prize money, the winning rider Paul Townend would have earned a cool £55,371.28 for steering home I Am Maximus (watch below).

This is made up from his £221.28 riding fee and the staggering £55,150 in prize money thanks to his 11.03% of the first place winnings (£500,000).

Of course, there is also tax to be paid on all jockey earnings.

Jockeys Can Also Boost Earnings With Sponsorship Deals

Most of the top UK jockeys will also top up their earnings with set sponsorship deals. Most of the time these endorsements will be arrangements with bookmakers or horse racing industry companies.

Again, each deal will be individual to each jockey, with the higher profile riders, who have more exposure in the bigger races, being able to command more.

These deals will see jockeys wearing branded breeches or logos on the front of their riders’ silks. Some jockeys also have sponsorship involving cars with all the travelling they do. With the average rider in the UK racking up 40,000+ miles each year.