Alternative careers in racing are those most commonly
sought by jockeys looking to make the switch from race
riding. However, opportunities are limited and
you all have key transferable skills and can access
training through JETS, which can, in theory, equip you
for any career of your choice.
Click here
to view an A-Z review of the variety of careers and
new positions taken up by jockeys moving on from race
riding in the last few years.
See quicklinks opposite for an index of Case Studies across different careers.
NEW EMPLOYMENT
Rory
Moore
Race
riding Career:
Apprentice
(2003-7) with 38 wins from over 570 rides
Age
at Retirement:
23
Alternative
Career:
Oil
Tanker Driving
Second
Career Objectives:
To
achieve a sought-after qualification and build
a career with good prospects and job security
so he can support his family
JETS'
Candidate Assistance:
Grants
for LGV Driver Training (Rigid and Articulated)
Jockey
Comment:
So
far I have been able to pick and choose who I
work for and only hope that this continues in
the face of the current economic climate.”
Rupert
Wakley
Rupert features in our JETS DVD
“"Staying Ahead of the Game"”
Click here
to view clips or Click
here to request a copy of the full DVD
Race
riding Career:
NH Jockey (1998-2003)
Age
at Retirement:
29
Alternative
Career:
Estate Agency
Second
Career Objectives:
To find a secure
and hopefully lucrative alternative career where
he could use his contacts, knowledge and skillsand
find new challenges
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
Computer skills,
Media Training
Jockey
Comment:
“It
took a while to adjust to something else when
all you’ve lived for is racing but you have
just got to accept that you are unlikely to find
another job which matches the thrill of race riding.”
JP
McNamara
Race
riding Career:
NH Jockey
(1999 – 2006) 228 career winners from
1,700 rides
Age
at Retirement:
27
Alternative
Career:
Horsefeed
sales representative
Second
Career Objectives:
Retirement from race
riding was injury-enforced so JP wanted to find
an alternative career in the industry which would
offer me some of the same sort of challenges as
being a jockey.
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
Provision
of one-to-one IT training during his recuperation
and help with his job application, CV and interview
techniques.
Jockey
Comment:
“Once
I had time to settle in and find my feet, I found
I really enjoy this role. It’s not
that different from being a jockey in that I decide
my own schedule, who to see and where to go each
day. Yes, there’s a lot of travelling,
but I’m used to that.”
Tony
Clarke
Tony features in our
JETS DVD “"Staying Ahead of the Game"”
Click here
to view clips or Click
here to request a copy of the full DVD
Race
riding Career:
Flat Jockey
(1978-2004)
Age
at Retirement:
42
Alternative
Career:
Sales,
Equestrian Surfaces
Second
Career Objectives:
To find an alternative
career in racing with new challenges
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
Computer
skills, job application assistance and CV/interview
preparation
Jockey
Comment:
“I
love it; I’m still involved in racing, on
the road and still meeting owners and trainers.
It’s not that different from promoting yourself
a s a jockey. You have to understand the
peopleyou are talking to and believe in the product
you’re selling.”
Robert
Biddlecombe
Race
riding Career:
Amateur
(2000-02); Conditional (2002-5)
Age
at Retirement:
25
Alternative
Career:
Saddlery
Second
Career Objectives:
To develop business
skills and a new trade
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
Career
Coaching, LGV Rigid and Artic Driving Licences
to promote saddlery sales at Shows. Training
grants for 3 year apprenticeship in saddlery and
the Society of Master Saddlers Saddle Fitting
Course.
Jockey
Comment:
I
realised that a ‘hands-on’ craft still
working with horses would be ideal for me.
I am now a fully qualified Saddler.”
Lee
Tibbatts
Race
riding Career:
Conditional
Jockey (2001-3)
Age
at Retirement:
24
Alternative
Career:
Farrier
Second
Career Objectives:
To
continue working with horses after life-threatening
injuries following a fall at Salisbury
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
Career
Coaching, training grants for his Farriery Apprenticeship,
Richard Davis Progress Award (2007)
Jockey
Comment:
“Farriery
has given me a new trade whilst making use of
the experience I already had in handling and caring
for horses.”
Nathan
Horrocks
Race
riding Career:
Conditional
Jockey 1992-2002
Age
at Retirement:
26
Alternative
Career:
On-course
representative for Betfair and Director of Classic
Boots
Second
Career Objectives:
To develop his business
skills
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
Computer Skills and
Media Training
Jockey
Comment:
"I had
invaluable help from JETS at the end of my race
riding career, without which I would never have
got the job at Betfair or had the confidence to
run my own business. I only wish I had contacted
them at the start of my career because, I reckon
those skills would also have made me a better jockey.”
Allan
Morris
Race
riding Career:
Flat Jockey
(1987 – 2001) Over 600 rides
Age
at Retirement:
34
Alternative
Career:
Stable
Manager (Goodwood Racecourse)
Second
Career Objectives:
To find a more secure,
non-riding position in racing
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
Help with job application
and CV and interview preparation
Jockey
Comment:
"I had retired
from race riding seven years ago and had been working
in a yard but at the age of 41 and with 3 young
children to support, I felt I needed to look for
a non-riding position which offered new challenges.
This role requires a great deal of patience, working
on one’s own initiative and communicating
with people on the phone and there’s a real
buzz.”
Ollie
McPhail
Ollie features in our
JETS DVD “"Staying Ahead of the Game"”
Click here
to view clips or Click
here to request a copy of the full DVD
Race
riding Career:
Conditional/NH
Jockey (1998-2007) with 128 wins
Age
at Retirement:
31
Alternative
Career:
Education
Officer BHEST
Second
Career Objectives:
To make a smooth transition
from race riding to an alternative and challenging
career in the same sport
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
Career coaching, training
advice, training grants, job application process
and CV
Jockey
Comment:
It
worked really well for me to be honest. The
programme has the flexibility to plan around race
riding commitments so I was able to start out
with part-time freelance work. I was apprehensive
to start with but seeing the children’s
reaction is a real motivator. When the opportunity
came up to take on a full time role, I jumped
at it. The rides had been getting gradually
fewer and it was a question of weighing up whether
it was worth my while striving to stay light for
just a handful of rides a month.”
Jason
Weaver
Race
riding Career:
Flat Jockey
(1989-2002)
Age
at Retirement:
30
Alternative
Career:
Television
Presenter
Second
Career Objectives:
To stay in racing and
use and develop his natural aptitude for communication
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
Media Training
Jockey
Comment:
“From
day one of not riding, I saw it as a new door
opening and I can honestly say that I haven’t
looked back. For me, it was the not knowing
what might be ahead of you that’s the frightening
thing. Jockeys today are lucky to have JETS
there to identify new opportunities.”
Many jockeys choose to be their own boss and run their
own business after race riding. Here are
a few who are doing just that:
David
Skyrme
Race
riding Career:
NH (1988 – 1997) 76 Career
winners from over 1,000 rides
Age
at Retirement:
31
Nature
of Business:
Horse Bedding
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
IT and marketing training
Aaron
Bates
Race
riding Career:
Conditional/NH (1990-2003)
Age
at Retirement:
29
Nature
of Business:
Supplying leisure equipment
to pubs and clubs
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
IT Training, business
studies courses
Sam
Stronge
Sam features
in our JETS DVD “"Staying Ahead of the
Game"” Click
here to view clips or Click
here to request a copy of the full DVD
Race
riding Career:
NH Jockey (1999-2006)
– riding 150 winners
Age
at Retirement:
24
Nature
of Business:
Jockeys Agent
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
Career Coaching, IT
and MediaTraining, HGV training; Richard Davis Award
grants
Jockey
Comment:
“The
more I visualised what I wanted to be doing, I
just knew I could be a good jockeys’ agent.
I did some research among colleagues and planned
ahead to make the career transition as smooth
as possible.”
Seamus
O’Shea
Sam features
in our JETS DVD “"Staying Ahead of the
Game"” Click
here to view clips or Click
here to request a copy of the full DVD
Race
riding Career:
Apprentice and Conditional
(1995-1998)
Age
at Retirement:
23
Nature
of Business:
Print Cartridge Recycling
JETS’
Candidate Assistance:
Career Coaching, IT
and Marketing Training
Jockey
Comment:
“I
was determined to be my own boss and this business
is so competitive , it really keeps you on your
toes. You have to think ahead and stay one
step ahead of the competition.”
See quicklinks opposite for an index of Case Studies across different careers.
