Jockey
Also called: rider
A jockey is the licensed rider who rides a horse in a race — controlling pace, position, and timing under a strict weight limit.
Jockeys are independent professionals who ride for many barns; a trainer 'names' a jockey for each race. The best ones are in constant demand, and their tactical judgment — when to move, where to save ground, how to time the finish — can be the difference in a close race. Many jockeys start out as exercise riders.
Examples
- arrow_rightHe named a leading jockey for the stakes.
- arrow_rightThe jockey saved ground on the rail, then split horses at the wire to win by a nose.