The last couple weeks I’ve heard privately from numerous riders about how frustrated they are trying to deal with the everyday struggles built in to the horse racing environment that have steadily been getting worse. I don’t have to tell any of you, horse racing is a tough game. But it’s never been tougher than it is today. This game and that of being a jockey, in what euphemistically used to be known as the “Sport of Kings” has changed so much in the last few years it’s almost unrecognizable to those of us with a past association.
Frustration and burnout is more rampant and amplified than ever before in the history of the sport. The arena is shrinking, rapidly. Opportunities are thinning out everyday. So what can you do?
There are no absolute answers, but I have a few thoughts or possible ideas that could help restore your enthusiasm and might boost your business. They helped me when I was riding and impressed me when I saw these traits in a rider when I was training.
1. Don’t give power over your life to those around you that have none. Especially don’t give them power over your career. Be respectful. Try to be nice. Don’t argue, it won’t help and you waste your energy. Better to walk away. You will never convince anybody of anything.
2. Take good care of yourself. Get and stay rested. Take a day off when you can. Burnout is absolutely real. I know first hand. Try to find a diversion for yourself. I’m not a golfer but a lot of people I know are golfers and they swear by it. Something like this can give you a much needed mental break even if only for a few hours.
3. As a jockey you really don’t think you need to work out – to hit the gym, right? Wrong. DO IT. Join a gym. Work out with weights for 45 or 50 minutes 4 or 5 days a week. Best time to go is after you get done in the mornings, before you have to be in the room. The objective here is not to bulk up (no rider wants to pack on muscle pounds, you’ve got plenty of muscle already) the idea is the mental therapy aspect and to hit your muscles in a different way. You’ll be shocked at how much working out with weights is mentally therapeutic. It’ll invigorate you. DO IT.
4. I know it’s very difficult to find a good agent. ((I’m working on a new plan and an idea to help solve this problem)) Like all good things, a good agents are on the endangered species list. Most agents are over-rated. Try to find the best one you can. These days, agents don’t really get you business, this is a total misconception in today’s state of affairs. An agent really only organizes the business you already have. YOU – get YOU business. Your riding ability, work ethic, sincerity, showing up on time, following instructions the best you can, being able to impart useful information back to a trainer after a race. This is what keeps business and gets you new business. Don’t make it more than it is. An agent can’t ride winners for you. Don’t be afraid to tell an agent which horses you’d prefer to rider or trainers you’d prefer to ride for. Remember, an agent works for you. Be pro-active in your own career. Take an active roll in making these decisions but let him take the heat be it with trainers, the stewards or at the draw. That’s what you pay an agent ((far too much money)) to do. Remind them, in a nice way, of that fact.
5. Take responsibility for your actions including mistakes. It’s ok to do this. Everybody makes them. Often times you are much more endeared to others when you admit you did one thing, when you should have done another. It opens the door for another opportunity and can save a relationship with a trainer, owner or even another rider. Not to mention the gate crew, starter, clerk of scales or the stewards.
6. I can’t possibly know your specific work habits but one very important thing to establish is this: show up EARLY. Not on time. EARLY. Showing up even 5 minutes early to work a horse puts you in an elite category. Show up 10 minutes early, you’re a mystical figure. Be in the jocks room on time, don’t be late. Don’t be late for anything, media, a meeting, an interview – anything.
7. Here’s something I made a point of doing. I did it religiously. It speaks for you. It’s not a spoken word because it speaks for itself. Always and I do mean ALWAYS, be the first rider out the door and in to the paddock for every race you ride. Wait by the door, the steps or the rail so no body can get in front of you. It separates you from the crowd. It raises your game. Make it habit. You’ll rarely have to fight anyone off to win this contest. Take the win and take the lead. Be first. It’s unspoken discipline.
8. Realize and remember the only real competition you have is with yourself. Of course you’re angling to ride the best horse in every race you can. That’s a given. You really aren’t competing with other jockeys, in essence, you’re only competing with yourself. You can’t make a horse run faster than it can. You can only ride them as fast as they can run. The trick here is to glean any speck of insight from the trainer or pick it up on your own, as to how you can help the horse underneath you be a little bit better. Just 1% better is a lot. The fastest horse doesn’t always win every race. Many times the horse that’s handled the best, ridden the best, placed in the best position to be the best he can be on that day and given the benefit of the doubt – wins. Try to be that rider for every horse. It takes practice. It’s a mental discipline. Try to ride them all like YOU OWN THEM.
9. Be honest with every trainer. I don’t mean tell him or her their horse is a piece of crap, even if it is. Try to figure out how to tell the trainer what might help their horse be at least a lesser piece of crap. Think it through. Ask yourself some questions about the horse you rode or are going to ride. Give it some effort. Don’t be a jockey with a small “j” be a horseman. Be the horseman you think others should be. If you can impart real, truthful, helpful “insight” to a trainer, they will seek your services. If they can improve their horse with your input, you both win. Bear in mind many trainers are struggling too. They’re struggling to win races, to get owners and keep horses. Struggling to meet payroll. Struggling to get and keep stalls. Be a friend to a potential friend in need. If a horse does everything right and just can’t quite compete, it’s ok to respectfully say he or she might benefit from some easier company. That’s being truthful. If a trainer doesn’t want to listen or if they take you off after you have helped them, just move on to the next engagement. We both know this happens, it’ll happen again. They weren’t your people in the first place. Be confident, not arrogant. Truth and being genuine trumps all when served up correctly.
10. Charlton Heston said, “If you have to be encouraged to act, you probably shouldn’t.” I agree completely. Ultimately, if you just don’t want to do this any more, being a jockey, because you can’t come to terms with the issues that are bothering you, stop. Walk away with your head up. Don’t fight it and don’t delay. You’ve done it. You succeeded. You do not owe anyone the obligation of sticking around if you’re toast. You have the rest of your life out there waiting for you. Be as sure as you can you’re making the right decision and take action. Find your next station in life. The racing game itself is not going to get any better. If you decide to stay in the tack, the only thing you can do is work at making your place within the game better and more enjoyable for you. This is true of anything you do in life. Just be sure to understand this one important fact. There aren’t many good jobs out there in the real world. Unless you are a closet entrepreneur or you’ve sitting on some hidden talent or skill you’ve been holding back for a rainy day, making $9 or $10 and hour basically sucks.
10a. And lastly, think about and try this for awhile: Start riding purely for fun. Don’t have an “I don’t give a shit attitude” you won’t have fun. Re-connect with the mindset of why you originally wanted to be a jockey in the first place. Ride for fun. Ride for the love of the game. Have fun being the first jock to walk in to the paddock! See how many times in a row you can win that contest. See how long you can go undefeated. Let the rest of it all go. Blow it all off. Ride for fun, they’ll still pay you.
Feature photo, jockey Clint Goodrich, far left in blue colors.
Photo by Caren Goodrich
Comments 33
I am new to your Blog and I’ve only been involved in racing as a breeder/owner for about 10 years. Your post was a good read for me for several reasons.
Having come into the racing world from the outside there are things I just don’t understand to the extent I wish I did. As a breeder/owner that only races horses I raise, I have a keen interest in the development and careers of my horses. I’m small as players in this game go, but my willingness to go the distance for each horse as best as can be done is great. I have always had very good relationships with the trainers, I ask questions to learn and understand not to micromanage or insult. Trust is paramount in my opinion.
The relationship between owner and Jockey is one I have endeavoured to nurture as I could find ways to do so. But it is still not up to my hopes. I believe that I’m in a small but growing portion of new comers to the sport that want to be more involved in the industry and with each of their horses. As an example I walk out to the track after each race we run in to meet the returning horse and rider. I see almost no other owners doing this and I’m sure I’m seen as out of line by some folks in the business, but I’m doing all I can to stay in this struggling industry and improve it and I want the full experience, I want to hear with my own ears and see with my own eyes the results of the race in the words of the Jockey and the look of the horse, the eyes, respiration, muscular fatigue, etc. It’s a lot to take in in a moments time.
I see the sport as the team effort it really is and I hope that idea of team continues to develop down thru the different levels of racing. The opportunity to improve the sport is there even in hard times and sometimes because of hard times…your article his home on that thought.
I am always humbled when a rider takes a mount for us. It’s a job I can’t do and wouldn’t. They are not replaceable and I highly value their imput especially after a race. The truth is not what some owners want to hear, but it’s always what I want to hear. How can I make the decisions I need to make in my small business if the freakishly important team member, the rider, doesn’t do his or her best to communicate their feelings and thoughts to us? A Jockey doesn’t just ride a horse they are the test pilot and while truly awesome horses might not need a rider to win every time out but to follow the rules, the 99.999% of the rest need a competent, decisive, and enthusiastic rider to pilot them to a safe and developmental trip. I’m always happy if I can see that my horses are developing positively, I hate to lose but it’s the facts of the game most of the time for us all. There is happiness in making something better. Racing need more of that at every level.
Thank you again
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Wow Mike.. I am so glad to hear how personally committed you are to seeing your horses develop and be the best they can be. Any owner who also breeds the horses they race should have a very keen interest in gaining as much insight as they can to their horses. You are doing the right thing on every level. My best advice is this; hire the best trainer who will be as committed to your horses as you are. Don’t try to get him or her on a cut rate or a deal. If a trainer can’t survive or pay his or her bills and staff, your horse suffers. You suffer.
As a small breeder (if I’m correct on the “small”) stay away from the very leading trainers with the largest barns, your horses aren’t likely (for just now anyway) to be as important in his/her barn as they are to you. There is always an exception of course. Be abundantly clear you want to hear what you NEED to know, not what you WANT to hear. Keep a clear and open dialog. Give your trainer time to find the best in each horse, whatever that my be. Remember, your expectation of a horse does not mean anything to a horse. They just “are”. When you expect from a horse what is beyond their class or talent, you transfer unreasonable expectation on to that horse and on to your trainer. Recipe for disaster for all concerned.
Finally as with jockeys, let your trainer convey to you why they think “x” jockey is the right rider for your horse. Don’t put pressure on your trainer to rider a leading jockey. Let him know you both need the right jockey. Of course this can be complex but if so, refer your trainer to this post: “The Jockey You Want vs The Jockey You Need” and all should be fine!
Best of luck and let me know how you and you’re horses are doing..
I love the columns you have posted Clint, truly amazing ! I grew up around horseracing all my life as my father was a jockey, my brother was a jockey, my ex-husband was a jockey and now my nephew is a jockey (Alex Gonzalez). Also my grandparents owned horses back in the late 1950s early 60s And yes this industry has definitely changed so much, as all these casinos come in where there’s a racetrack and then racetrack becomes secondary to the grounds. Everyone pushes for the casinos and the casinos promise to make better for the racetrack until it get approved…. I think in the future 6-8 tracks in the US and I hope I’m wrong because it is c “Sport Of Kings” ! What can save the industry from declining???? Clint ! I love all your encouraging words and wisdom of the racetrack and being a jockey, I never stop preaching to my nephew “Alex Gonzalez” all the same. As all my years of living this dream with my father (Gilfredo Gonzalez),brother (G.Gonzalez Jr.) and ex husband (Ruben Hernandez) I learned a lot of this business. Also I can share a factI know for sure…. Once you get bit with horseracing ! It’s like you catch a disease you can’t shake, it stays in your blood and the passion and love for the sport never dies !!! Well I will keep looking for more words from a wise jockey Clint (you) for my nephew. Alex can always learn from them as he is only 23yrs old and his ups and downs with being a jockey, because when he had “the bug” he was leading bug boy in the country until he took a spill in “De Mar” and got a concussion. Being out for 6 weeks hurt him mentally more thn anything as he wanted to be a jockey since he was 3yrs old. And winning the Eqlipse Award was his dream and he was living it ! Returning to the track after that spill was downhill and things just spiraled. Now just as we all know to well how it feels looking at those win pics with a broken heart is like…. Wondering what to do to get back to the dream !
Clint ! I can’t thank you enough for all the uplifting words and wisdom you share , I will keep preaching all this to Alex as he always respects my advice and from others.
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Hi Tina – Thank you so very much for the kind words, I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. I actually use to know your ex-husband, Ruben a little bit. It was quite a long time ago and don’t think he would have any reason to remember my name. He was very nice to me.
I actually had some interaction with Alex. He contacted me a few weeks ago. He explained his frustrations and ask me for advice. I tried to share some insights and open some dialogue with him but he seemed very sour and a little bitter. He is probably in the true sense of the term “clinically depressed” as well. I started hearing similar feelings from other riders but it was HIS COMMUNICATION THAT SPARKED ME TO WRITE THIS BLOG POST. I’m not sure he ever read it. Maybe you can recommend it to him. It might help him find some re-direction??
I feel for him in every way and understand the suffering, uncertainty and the pain he expressed. I have since watched him ride at Mountaineer via TVG. He is a VERY talented rider with truly unlimited potential. I wish he would read my words in this post, as well as in the post I wrote just yesterday: http://www.wherethepindrops.com/?p=7302
This is a follow up the the post you are commenting on. Please read it for yourself. It is a little more broad in scope but addresses a few additional ideas and points.
Please feel free to contact me anytime and have Alex do the same if I can help in any way.
to all horseman TRainers and JOcks, there are other racetracks in the World, to apply your Trade, if in a rut, Print out a listing from South America, England, Ireland, Germany, Austraila, then think about moving to another part of the World to continue your Talents. Good Luck!!
Clint you hit on every valid point there is to being a successful jockey and I loved reading this. Nobody could have said it better:)
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Paula!! – A couple of my previous blog posts (especially this one: http://www.wherethepindrops.com/?p=7010 ) started generating a bunch of private messages from riders, asking if I had any ideas about what they could do, should do – should they quite riding, the business has gotten so bad and so difficult, etc. Everyone sounded desperate and disheartened. It just seemed to me somebody needed to throw out some ideas and new thoughts. Thank you so very much for your comment, it really means a to me. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
If you have some time, I followed up with a new post today (Thursday). It’s a little more broad in scope but I expand on the 10 ideas. http://www.wherethepindrops.com/?p=7302
It is SO great to hear from you! I hope you are well. Message me on Facebook or email me at clint@wherethepindrops.com and catch me up on where you are and what you’re doing – would love to know:)
Hi Clint, what a fantastic article! I enjoyed every bit of it and I also have to agree with what you said. I had a good laugh over “ride em like you own them.” That very phrase is often my instructions. It’s my intention that it sinks in that this mount is important!
As a trainer it is really maddening when the jockey just doesn’t give you any effort. For myself, I put in lots of hours with my horses to get them to the races. As far as I am concerned a trainer, jockey , gallop boy and the groom are all on the same team. When one falters and doesn’t do what is required it just makes you want to get out of the business.
If I don’t get any effort and then I’m told this horse can’t run, it really is of no value to me.
I love what I do and probably will continue to train thoroughbreds and pray I can be so lucky to find a rider who follows your advice because they will indeed stand out as one of the best!
Good job!
Author
Hi Heather… I understand exactly what you’re saying. It really does need to be a total team effort. Everybody is important to the success of each horse. I think having been on both the jockey and trainer side gives me a unique perspective to speak about both sides.
It’s people like yourself that need to find the best rider for your style of training. When I trained, I often used jocks that where excellent riders but who were just slightly off the radar. I used my share of top or leading riders over the years but it was the riders who I had a strong “working relationship” with – those who understood me, understood what I was seeking and understood my training style…these were the riders I used regularly. I also made sure I understood the riders I worked with too..
Thanks so much for the kinds words. Keep doing what you’re doing Heather. It’s people like you who are keeping racing alive. I know you’ll find success!!! – Read my latest post from today http://www.wherethepindrops.com/?p=7302 I talk about trainers in this one too.
Hi Clint. I think you have hit the nail on the head for almost all your points except I would have to disagree with your assessment of Jockeys Agents. You may have had bad luck with them, but I am currently plying my trade as one and I think I am well worth the commission I get. I pound the pavement MONTHS before the races start , all while their is no races to run in and money to earn, all the while a jockey can earn money galloping and I don’t get a nickel of that. I generally become Chauffeur, cook and house new jockeys when they come to town. I have at times even paid for their plane tickets to arrive here. For a new jock at a new track the agent is who introduces to the people who finally give them their business. I study hours of videotapes and keep major notes on every horse at my track and keep involved what’s happening at the tracks near me so I am not out of the loop and can recommend races at other tracks for my clients. I’ve had some jockey’s who have been great to work for but the majority try and beat you for money anyways! You also have to be their motivator, shrink, bodyguard among other positions.I think I’m gonna ask for a raise!
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Hey Ryan – I’ll quote from my post “Most agents are over-rated”. Clearly you are the exception! Without a doubt there are still some good agents and I applaud you. It is a tough job when done right. Sounds like you are doing everything above and beyond and your rider(s) should be thrilled to have you. – Don’t get me started on the babysitting aspect. That should NOT be in your job description.. Keep up the great work it sounds like you are doing. This is now exactly what you have to do in order to stand out. Thank you for reading and for taking the time to comment. My best to you! PS – What tracks are you working?
Clint, great article – we have used those principles in our race yard all our life and it has paid the dividends over and over again! regards Kathi (Cape Town, South Africa)
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Nice to hear from you Kathi. It seems these ideas certainly can be universal. I think your statement backs up my belief. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog post and for the comment. Best of racing to you all in South Africa!
Great advice to any up and coming hoop ! I was the very first therapist to work with hoops on race day in Australia back in the early 80 s in Adelaide . And you are so spot on ! Senior hoops were always in charge and very rarely apprentices ever spoke . In fact I was the only person that could come and go out of a jockey room apart from the stewards and trainers bringing in the colours . So I could of easily exchange race books with senior hoops ( we won’t go their ! ) if I had to write a book on shorts it would be a best seller . I am still to this day working with sports people and only 12 months I decided to put some fun back into racing by running the best racing competition around the nation , and have now gathered over 3 k followers .this Friday on our live Facebook show we are interviewing zack purton and would love you down the track to be available .your thoughts and wisdom should be shared with passionate racing people that love their horses cheers
Author
Hey Joe – I guess I’m not familiar with the term “hoop”?? From reading along I guess it must be a slang term for jockeys in AUS? I can certainly appreciate your therapy efforts. I’m not quite sure what you’re referring to when you say you’re running a “racing competition”. Tell me more about where I can access your interview with Zack Purton. I’m assuming he’s a rider in Australia? Forgive me – you’re gonna have to make it a little easier for me to understand exactly where you’re coming from and what you’re talking about. Maybe I need some of that therapy??!!
Ha ! I don’t know if you would last on my therapy table ! My nickname was (pop eye ) yes you are quite right the term hoop is Aussie slang for jockeys . Zack purton is Australian and is based in Hong Kong , was riding over the weekend in Sydney Australia ( where in the hell are you ? Lol ). My face pages are called stabletips and I have wonderfull sponsors who sponsor my racing competitions around the nation , my pages bring together passionate racing people that love their horses , I’m so gratefull you shared your wisdom ! And I would dearly love to have you come on to my live stabletips show in the near future cheers joe Muscara
Author
Joe – Let me know when you want me on your show. I’ll make those arrangements with you! Thanks for reading my posts and I appreciate your comments.
No problem clint give me a email address and what’s the time difference to Australia ( AESDT Sydney ). Cheers joe Muscara
Author
Joe – you can reach me at the following email address:
clint@wherethepindrops.com
Great stuff Clint ! Why didn’t you write this 30 years ago ! Unfortunately, horse racing is the only sport where everyone doesn’t get paid ! Only the winners !! Imagine football players leaving it all on the field watching a 20 yard field goal beat them by 1 point, go into the locker room and not make a dime??? We put on the show, but only the winners make any money! Good to know you alive and well my friend.
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John!! I wish I could’ve written this years ago! You are so correct about the winners getting paid. I’m sure we can both count numerous instances where you ran a winner either as a trainer or jockey…gave winning efforts/performances, didn’t win and didn’t get paid. It pains me to re-call.. Isn’t it amazing what 30 years of time and experience can give you as far as insight and smarts?? The old cliche’ about “wish I’d known then what I know now”?? Wow.. I have a blog post on the back burner about that very topic. Stay in touch and check in with me again. Hope you are well. Thanks very much for you comments.
Clint this is absolutely priceless information! Though I am not a jockey…I am working on getting my trainers license and this is good info for all of us. I have been conditioning horses for a couple of years and I there is very little that upsets me…except…riders that don’t show up or show up 1,2,3 hours late!!! We are ALL adult professionals working as a team…even if you are working for me on a day to day basis you are important, your opinion and professionalism is greatly needed and expected. Thanks again !
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No question Leanne – it is really important to work together. Showing up on time is absolutely paramount. Everybody is trying to survive, gain some ground and make a living.. I’m glad you found my that post cut across lines for non-jockeys as well. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I look forward to hearing from you again!
Very well said. My first agent, Ned Rowland told me a few things:
1. Never give a trainer an excuse NOT to use you. Show up early! I always repeated the instructions back to the trainer after he/she gave them to me to be crystal clear that there would be no mis-understandings.
2. When I was a bug boy, Ned told me,” keep quiet. It’s better to be quiet and thought of not knowing anything instead of opening your mouth and removing all doubt. Listen more, talk less.
3. Be respectful and nice, even if someone does you wrong. Your’e going to meet the same people going up the ladder as you will coming down.
I rode for 20 years.
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Mark – Your words are also golden for any rider or up and coming new riders. All three of your points should be daily habit. Thanks for your comments, I really appreciate you taking the time..
Verywell said , I can’t begin to tell you this will help so many horseman . And not just as a rider I have ridden horses for well over 25 years and retired and disabled because of the race horse business . But I will say for what you have just written so well . That there is not a day that goes by. That I am up at 5am. Ready to be the first one at the barn. First one on my horse. And first back to the barn. And first one on to the next horse. But just in general to be first in everything you do in life. Is to look out for number 1 and have fun doing it. Will have nothing but success and everything else in life will follow!!!!!!
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Thank you, Charles for your kinds words. I can see you know exactly what I’m talking about.. I try to post regularly, check back whenever you have time.
Hi. Im a jockey myself, and like all of us have faced this very issues in my career. I just want to thank you for posting this, I know it will definitely help my mindset. I wish I could of seen this when I first started riding, but nevertheless its priceless information for me and will definitely save this and constantly read it. Thank you and God bless you !
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Jose – You are welcome! Thanks for letting me know this had an impact on you, I really appreciate hearing from you. I’m working on several new ideas – you might be interested.. Stay tuned.
Beautifully written piece. As a rider for twenty years now, I can verify the importance of all of the advice given and commend the sheer honesty with which you have written it. Well done!!!!!
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Helen – THANK YOU very much for your kinds words. I sincerely appreciate it! I’m working on a couple new and innovative ideas for jockeys. I’d like to have your feedback once I’m ready to launch.
Brilliantly written and true to the nines! A must read for every current jockey and those coming up. Blown away by this encyclopedia of information condensed into the 10 recipes for success.. Thanks.
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William – Really appreciate you reading my post and leaving your comment. I’m working on several new ideas that I’ll be writing about and sharing over the next week or two. Stay tuned! ..and Thank YOU!