Jockey Licences
The Licensing Team administers the annual licensing process for:
Professional Jockeys
To obtain a jockey’s licence, an application is made to the BHA. The applicant’s relevant experience and medical history is considered and a personal interview may be necessary before a licence is granted.
To download an application form or a copy of the Suitability Criteria Guidance Notes for either a Full Jump or Flat Jockeys Licence, please follow the links below.
To warrant annual renewal, a jockey is expected to have at least 25 rides per season.
Applicants who are not nationals of a European Economic Area or from outside the European Union are also reminded that they will require permission to work in Great Britain (GB) from the United Kingdom Border Agency.
Where an individual is applying for a licence to ride in GB, such permission will only be granted where the BHA has confirmed that it is prepared to grant such an application, having established that the Jockey meets the criteria established by UKBA. Further information may be found in our UKBA and Immigration page.
Should you wish to receive an application pack in the post, or require any further information please contact the Licensing Team.
Apprentice and Conditional Jockeys
To compensate for their initial lack of experience and success in comparison to fully licensed jockeys, young jockeys claim a weight allowance at the beginning of their career and ride as “Apprentices” on the Flat or “Conditionals” under National Hunt Rules.
Eligible applicants for an Apprentice or Conditional jockeys licence must be aged over 16 – but under 26 years. The Apprentice and Conditional training courses are only available to those in full-time, paid employment of a Licensed Trainer. It is the Trainer who decides when the jockey is competent and ready to race-ride and makes a joint application with the individual to the BHA.
To download an application form or a copy of the Suitability Criteria Guidance Notes for Apprentice and Conditional Jockeys Licences, please follow the links below.
Should you wish to receive an application pack in the post, or require any further information please contact the Licensing Team on 0207 152 0140*, or email licensing@britishhorseracing.com.
*Calls to and from the Licensing Team are recorded.
Requirements
As part of the application, the prospective jockey is required to attend, and satisfactorily complete, a five-day course at either the British Racing School or Northern Racing College. They must also undergo a medical examination and meet the Medical Standards for ‘Fitness to Ride’ and the Assessment of Concussion protocol.
All course reservations are made through the Licensing Team using the prescribed form. For further information regarding the courses, please either contact the Licensing Team on 0207 152 0140*, email licensing@britishhorseracing.com, or follow the links below for details of the racing schools.
Once a licence is granted, the Apprentice or Conditional’s progress is monitored and he/she is expected to progress in the amount of rides they have from one season to the next.
Jockeys will be required to attend further training courses during the course of their career. Individuals may be asked to attend Continuation Training, which is aimed at Jockeys riding with a 7lb claim and/or further Advanced Training for those who have ridden in excess of 20 winners. Trainers will be advised by the Licensing Team when their Jockey is required to attend such courses.
When they have either ridden out their claim, or passed the age limit to hold an Apprentice or Conditional licence (on reaching 26 years old) the jockey may apply for a Full Professional Jockey’s licence.
The Claim
Apprentices and Conditionals are entitled to claim an allowance under Rule (F)140 (Flat) and Rule (F)141 (Jump) when riding against full professional jockeys.
The allowances range from 7lb to 3lb depending on how many winners the jockey has ridden. Riders’ Allowances may be claimed as follows:
Apprentices:
- 7lb until they have won 20 races
- 5lb until thy have won 50 races
- 3lb until they have won 95 races
Conditionals:
- 7lb until they have won 20 races
- 5lb until they have won 40 races
- 3lb until they have won 75 races
In the event of a rider's Licence or Permit being refused or withdrawn by the BHA on medical grounds, the rider may request to review a medical review.
Download a full copy of the Medical Review Procedure..
Further information and advice can be sought from the Professional Jockeys’ Association
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