The important role of jockeys' agents

Very few people are aware of the role played by the jockeys' agents. The recent formation of an Association of Jockeys' Agents is very timely and it is important to see how they fit into the racing industry.

Just as you might expect, the most successful jockeys generally ride the horses that have the best chance of winning a race. A long shot most likely will not have a big-name jockey and, conversely, a heavy favourite is unlikely to have an unknown jockey in the saddle. But how does a jockey get matched with the horse he rides? The process is more complicated than you might think.

Each jockey hires an agent, who selects the horses for the jockey to ride. The agent receives a commission from the earnings of the jockey. This varies between 15 and 20 per cent. It is therefore most important that the agent selects 'winners' for his charge. To be successful, an agent must possess adept handicapping skills to select horses with the best chance of winning. They must have savvy marketing skills to convince trainers/owners to use his jockey. They must also be diplomatic and polite in declining invitations from trainers to ride horses who are not considered to be competitive in that particular race, and make sure that they do not endanger a relationship and jeopardise future opportunities.

Jockeys remain loyal

In some cases, jockeys remain loyal to a particular trainer and have first call from that trainer. Examples of this include jockey Omar Walker and trainer Wayne DaCosta, jockey Winston Griffith and trainer Philip Feanny. Jockeys are, however, independent contractors and are free to accept rides where they think they have the best chance of winning.

An agent who represents a successful jockey might appear to have an easy job because everyone wants his client, e.g., Gary Reid - the agent for champion jockey Omar Walker, and Dwayne Grosset - the agent for last year's most improved rider, Dick Cardenas. The rider's popularity can make an agent's task more challenging, since he now has to assess which horse has the best winning chance. This brings to the forefront the agent's handicapping skills and diligence at the exercise gallops in the mornings.

The agent with an average or un-heralded jockey faces his own challenges. He has little chance of securing winning rides but he must keep abreast so that he can make use of any opportunity which comes along.

In order to determine and secure riding opportunities for their jockey, agents keep in touch with trainers through personal visits at the track and diligent study of exercise form. Their work continues during the mornings when horses are entered for races. Horses with assigned jockeys have to be with the racing office on Wednesday for Saturday's races. By mid-morning, the entry process is almost complete and is finalised with the assignment of post positions for each starter. Racing officials randomly draw numbers to match with horses' names while trainers and jockey agents serve as witnesses. This process also eliminates overflows when entries exceed the allotted number of starters.

Structured agents

In the United States, agents can represent as many as three jockeys - two veterans (journeymen) and one apprentice. Agents here only handle one jockey and apprentices are not allowed to be handled by an agent. It is hoped that with the establishment of a structured formal jockeys' agents association there will be a strong lobby to change this anachronistic hangover from the old British system.

In practice rides are booked by agents for apprentices who pay a commission for this service. In fact, these apprentices are treated by the agents no differently than the jockeys whom they represent. What is of interest is that the Racing Commission knows of this practice but refuses to formalise a structured arrangement in line with what has been tried and proven elsewhere, preferring, instead, to stick with the old colonial apprentice-master system.

We wish this new association success in their endeavours. President Donovan Wilson and vice-president Greg Fennel are challenged to chart the right course for this new, but badly needed, association. The path you and your executive set will determine your future and we wish you well.

Howard Hamilton is the former chairman of Caymanas Track Limited and is currently the president of the Jamaica Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. He may be contacted at email: howham @cwjamaica.com.