It’s been announced that the UK jockey riding fees have been increased – for both flat and jumps riders. This is on top of the prize money percentage that riders can also pocket if they win (or place) in a race.
UK Jockey Riding Fees Up 3% For Both Jumps and Flat Riders
During the 2025 season – it’s good news if you are a horse racing jockey in the UK as the jockey’s riding fees have been increased by 3%.
This hike has been applied to both flat and jumps jockeys. Which means for each ride they hone their skills on they will be able to command more bucks.
The old rate for a flat rider in the UK was £162.79 per ride – this has been upped to £167.67. All this means an increase of £4.88 for each ride – not bad for a few minutes work.
Then over the jumps, the UK jockey’s riding fee used to be £221.28, but this has been improved to £227.92.
This means the hedgehopper riders will have an extra £6.64 in their pockets per ride.
Jockey riding fees are going up! 💰
Do you think they are paid enough? pic.twitter.com/qKZ3Py3R9l
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 22, 2025
All this means if a flat jockey in the UK has five rides in a day, they will now bank £838.35 (less tax).
While a jumps rider that’s been jocked-up for five rides in a day will pocket £1139.60 (less tax).
UK Jockey’s Riding Fees (New and Old)
| UK Jockey Riding Fees |
Old | New | % Increase | Prizemoney % |
| Flat | £162.79 | £167.67 | 3% | 8.5% (win) and 2.61% (place) |
| Jumps |
£221.28 | £227.92 | 3% | 11.03% (win) and 3.44% (place) |
Jockeys Also Get a Percentage Of Any Prize Money and Winnings
The money that jockeys earn doesn’t end with the riding fee – as they can also earn more by winning (or placing) in a race.
Again, this slightly differs between the two codes (flat and jumps),
A jumps rider will earn 11.03% of any first place winnings and 3.44% of the place prize money.
While a flat jockey can get 8.5% of any prize money for winning a race and 2.61% of any place money.
Depending on the race type and conditions, this will determine how many places the place prize money can go down to.
An example is the 2024 Grand National prize money going down to 10th place (£5,000) in 2024.
Which meant the jockey on the 10th – Limerick Lace – Mark Walsh would have won 3.44% of £5,000 = £172.00 on top of his £221.28 old riding fee.
Why Do Jumps Riders Get Paid More Than Flat Jockeys?
Jump riders in the UK get £60.25 more in riding fees than their flat counterparts. But why?
The main reason is that National Hunt races are most of the time longer.
Plus, even though riding on the flat is dangerous too – many feel there are more risks for jumps riders with fences or hurdles to tackle too.
Who Will Pay the Jockey Riding Fees?
It’s the owners who will pay the jockeys riding fees.
While some owners may also have riding arrangements with certain yards with jockeys getting paid a retainer to ride all that owner’s horses.
The riding fees for both jump and flat jockeys are negotiated each year between the ROA (Racehorse Owners Association) and PJA (Professional Jockeys Association).
Agents and Valets Will Also Take A Slice Of The Jockey Riding Fee and Earnings
In addition, most jockeys will also have agents, and these will also take a cut of their riding fee and winnings for booking their daily rides.
The fees here will change between each jockey and their individual arrangements with agents.
Jockeys will also have valet costs to pay – they clean and maintain their riding equipment.
In general, a valet will command a 10% fee for the first ride of the day, then 7.5% for the second and 5% for the third.
These jockey valet fees are set and will be deducted from a jockeys’ riding fee each time.
Does a Jockey Still Earn a Riders’ Fee If Their Horse Is A Non-Runner?
Yes, they do.
Jockeys in the UK will still get 50% of their 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 announced as a non-runner AFTER being declared to run with a jockey booked, that rider will still get 50% of the fee.
Which would be £83.84 (flat) and £113.96 (jumps). These are based on the new jockey riding fees.
How Are UK Jockeys Paid Their Riding Fees?
The jockeys riding in the UK must have a Weatherbys bank account.
Then any riding fees and prize money earned is automatically paid directly into their accounts.
Jockey Earning Examples For Some Of The Biggest UK Horse Races 2025
Based on the new rates but the prize money shown for each race is the 2024 amount.
| Race | Prize Money (Win) 2024 | Jockey Riding Fee | Jockey Win % | Total Earned |
| Grand National | £500,000.00 | £227.92 | £55,150.00 | £55,377.92 |
| Epsom Derby | £882,407.60 | £167.67 | £75,004.65 | £75,172.32 |
| King George VI Chase | £143,045.00 | £227.92 | £15,777.86 | £16,005.78 |
| Ascot Gold Cup | £368,615.00 | £167.67 | £31,332.28 | £31,499.95 |
| Cheltenham Gold Cup | £352,729.16 | £227.92 | £38,906.03 | £39,133.95 |
Paul Townend Banked £55,371.28 For Winning The 2024 Grand National
Based on the 2024 jockey riding fee figures, the winning rider of the 2024 Grand National – Paul Townend, would have earned £55,371.28 for guiding home I Am Maximus (watch below).
I Am Maximus was sent off as the joint 7/1 favourite with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.
This breakdown is from his £221.28 riding fee (old).
Plus, the staggering £55,150 in prize money thanks to his 11.03% of the first place winnings (£500,000).
Of course, as mentioned, there is also tax to be paid on all jockey earnings.
Jockeys Can Also Increase Their Earnings With Sponsorship Deals
Many of the top jockeys will also add to their earnings with sponsorship deals.
Most of the time these extra endorsements will be set arrangements with bookmakers or horse racing industry companies.
Again, each deal will be individual thrashed out to each jockey, with the higher profile riders. As these have more exposure in the bigger races, being able to ask for more money.
These deals will see jockeys sporting branded breeches or company logos on the front of their riders’ silks.
Some riders also have sponsorship involving their cars with all the travelling they do.
With the average rider in the UK racking up over 40,000+ miles each season.
