THE NUMBERS:
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The number of licensed jockeys currently stands at around 350 and JETS is there to support these individuals and those who have held jockey licences since 1995, when JETS prize money deductions were first introduced.
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A full professional jockey retires on average at the age of 35.
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Over 1200 candidates are now registered on the JETS database and therefore eligible for ongoing career development support.
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At least 3 jockeys/former jockeys a week benefit from one-to-one career/training consultations delivered across the country.
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JETS now receives 130+ applications for training grants each year.
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The Scheme now typically issues over £90,000 in training grants and scholarships annually.
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Well over 480 JETS candidates have been assisted into employment since 1995.
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Since its inception in 1995, jockeys and the IJF have together invested well over £3 million in the scheme.
JETS MILESTONES:
- December 2024: JETS received its 137th training application for the year, the highest ever annual total since first established in 1995.
- May 2024: Sheila Bailey joined JETS as Chair.
- March 2024: 20th film in Jockey Matters education film series released.
- November 2023: Richard Davis Awards held at Warwick Racecourse for the first time presented by Tom Scudamore
- July 2023: New Jockey Ambassador Training programme launched in partnership with the PJA and GBR.
- September 2021: A new Jockey & Training Development website (www.jockeytraining.co.uk) was launched along with a Jockey Lifestyle Workbook, a new personal development tool to help jockeys with practical self awareness exercises and to set goals for the future. Read more
- 2021: The Jockey Matters Series releases three short films focusing on personal development and what jockeys are focusing on away from racing to prepare for the future. There have now been 19 films released in the Series. Read more
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November 2020: Due to the pandemic the Richard Davis Awards are hosted for the first time on Racing TV with the finalists announced live on air with films and interviews with the winners. Read more
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January 2020: JETS benefits from new funding boost with the approval of a £2.3 million grant from The Racing Foundation. Read more
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October 2018: On World Mental Health Day, JETS launches a new mental health film as part of the Jockey Matters series about Resilience featuring Graham Lee and Michael Caulfield. Read more
November 2017: JETS marks the 20th anniversary of the Richard Davis Awards with the introduction of a new Award, the BRS Current Jockey CPD Award exclusively for Current Jockeys won by Kathy Glenister. The Jockey Club are also announced as sponsors of the Achievement Award Read more
June 2017: JETS changes its name to the Jockeys Education & Training Scheme to recognise the continuing personal development (CPD) that JETS provides to jockeys throughout their career. Read more
August 2017: JETS and RMG set up the first Media Traineeship for jockeys and former jockeys. Read more
November 2016: TV commentator and presenter Richard Hoiles joins the JETS Board of Trustees.
July 2016: JETS launches the Jockey Matters film series - a series of educational films covering a range of welfare issues affecting jockeys. The films have received around half a million views online and are regularly used as resources within the training course programme for young jockeys.
March 2016: JETS introduces new Personal Development Plans for jockeys at BHA Licensing Courses. Read more
February 2016: Lisa Delany wins inaugural Rory MacDonald Community Award at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards recognising her impact on the career development of jockeys.
November 2015: Niall Hannity and Keith Mercer are the winners of the Richard Davis Awards in the 20th anniversary year of JETS.
October 2015: Phil Kinsella joins JETS as a Personal Development Manager based primarily in the North of England.
July 2015: JETS launches a fully responsive website and logo to reflect its ongoing role and values, twenty years after it was first established.
January 2015: JETS launches its Friends of JETS initiative in which a range of businesses join up to provide careers support to jockeys in a range of different areas.
May 2013: JETS was one of 23 initial projects to be awarded funding from the British Horseracing Grant Scheme, administered by the British Horseracing Authority on behalf of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
2011: JETS General Manager, Lisa Delany was nominated for a Pride of Racing Award which recognises the unsung heros of the industry.
2010: Saw the first JETS candidate and former jockey (Ben Swarbrick) gain a much sought after place on the BHA Graduate Development Scheme. Three more have done so since – Phil Kinsella, Colm Sharkey and Ben Hicks.
2010: Saw the graduation of three JETS candidates from degree courses, with BScs in Equine Science, Psychology and Equine Business Management
2009: JETS candidate Glen Sparkes was awarded the inaugural Tristram Ricketts Fellowship to enable recipients to research and learn from across the world for the benefit of UK racing.
2006: JETS introduced a second Griffins Richard Davis Award – The Injured Jockeys Fund Progress Award to reward jockeys for progress in their earlier stages of second career development.
2004:JETS won a National Training Award. This was one of only five presented to organisations in the South East to reward the scope and impact their training has made on a national level.
1997: JETS introduced the Richard Davis Awards – originally sponsored by Griffiths, these are an annual career development given in memory of the late Richard Davis who had started planning for his future before his fatal race fall in 1996. The Richard Davis Awards recognise the effort, initiative and forethought which jockeys and former jockeys put into developing new careers.
April 1995: JETS was established by the Professional Jockeys Association in association with The Injured Jockeys Fund.