Jockeys - Horse Racing - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 19500

This law outlines payment and regulation aspects for jockeys in horse racing. It mandates that a jockey who exercises a racehorse must be paid at least the standard rate unless they're racing or doing an official workout. There's a process to settle rate disputes, with regulatory guidelines for when jockeys are removed from a race either before or after 'scratch time,' which is the deadline for final race changes. A jockey's earnings can't be redirected without their consent or a legal order. Definitions clarify terms like 'scratch time,' 'riding fee,' and 'mount fee.'

(a) A jockey who agrees to exercise a racehorse shall be paid no less than the standard rate that is paid to exercise riders unless the jockey has been employed to ride that racehorse in a parimutuel race or the jockey is engaged in an official timed and recorded workout. If there is a dispute over the standard rate for exercising a horse, the steward shall determine the rate.

(b) The board shall adopt regulations no later than July 1, 2007, consistent with existing practice of the stewards, that provide both of the following:

(1) Establish the circumstances under which a jockey is entitled to receive a mount fee when he or she is removed from a mount prior to scratch time.

(2) Establish the circumstances under which a jockey is entitled to receive both a mount fee and the riding fee when he or she is removed from a mount after scratch time.

(c) The paymaster of a racing association or racing fair shall not disburse any sum from a jockey’s compensation to any person other than the jockey except with the written permission of the jockey, upon order of the board, or pursuant to a court or administrative order.

(d) For the purposes of this section the following definitions apply:

(1) “Scratch time” means the time designated by the purse agreement when final changes in racing programs must be made.

(2) “Riding fee” means the amount of money, whether calculated as a percentage of the purse or by any other means, that is due to a jockey in addition to the jockey mount fee as a result of the performance of a racehorse in a race.

(3) “Mount fee” is the fee that is paid a jockey who accepts a mount on a racehorse.

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Section § 19501

This law talks about how important jockeys are to horse racing and notes the dangerous nature of their job. It highlights that the current minimum fees they earn haven't kept up with inflation or living costs. Starting in 2010 and 2012, there were specific increases in the minimum fees jockeys receive for races where they don't win. These fees will also increase whenever the state minimum wage goes up. The law ensures jockeys are paid no less than these minimum amounts, and the board can raise these fees even more if it wants.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(1) Professional jockeys are vital to the horse racing industry and the work they perform is very dangerous.

(2) The minimum wage that jockeys receive in a horse race is established by the board as a minimum jockey riding fee. Jockeys may earn additional compensation if the horse they are racing is a winning mount, a second place mount, or a third place mount.

(3) The minimum jockey riding fee has not kept up with inflation or the cost of living. Since 1970, the state minimum wage has increased at more than twice the rate that the average jockey riding fee increased over the same period.

(4) The riding fee should be increased at least as much on a percentage basis as the state minimum wage, so that the average full-time jockey can earn an income sufficient to provide for the basic necessities of life.

(b)

(1) Effective January 1, 2010, the scale of minimum jockey riding fees for losing mounts established by the board shall be increased by ten dollars ($10) per mount from the rate in effect on December 31, 2009. Effective January 1, 2012, the scale of minimum jockey riding fees for losing mounts established by the board shall be increased by ten dollars ($10) per mount from the rate in effect on December 31, 2011, except the three lowest fees on the scale shall be increased by five dollars ($5) per mount. Thereafter, the scale of minimum jockey riding fees for losing mounts shall be increased whenever the state minimum wage is increased by the percentage of that increase.

(2) Effective January 1, 2010, the minimum amount awarded to the jockey who finishes second or third in a race shall be increased by ten dollars ($10) over the amount required to be paid on December 31, 2009. Effective January 1, 2012, the minimum amount awarded to the jockey who finishes second or third in a race shall be increased by five dollars ($5) over the amount required to be paid on December 31, 2011. This subdivision shall apply to races in which the purse is nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine dollars ($9,999) or less.

(c) No jockey shall be paid less than the minimum jockey riding fees established pursuant to this section.

(d) Nothing in this section prohibits the board from increasing the minimum jockey riding fee above the minimum level required by this section.

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Section § 19502

This law ensures that a jockey's riding fee cannot be reduced by taking out some of the entry or nomination fees paid by the horse's owner, unless those fees are fully paid by the owner and aren't reimbursed by someone else.

Notwithstanding any other law, the board shall not permit any portion of an entry, nomination, or other fee paid by an owner to be deducted from a jockey riding fee unless the entry, nomination, or other fee is paid exclusively by the owner and not reimbursed by any other person or entity.

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Section § 19504

This law section mandates that any rider on a racehorse at a racetrack must wear a safety helmet and vest. By July 1, 2006, authorities must investigate if using safety reins, which are reinforced for extra protection, offers better safety than regular ones. If deemed safer, by July 1, 2007, rules should require these safety reins, potentially phasing out regular reins in parimutuel races within 18 months of the rule adoption. The board is also responsible for approving all safety gear used at racetracks. Safety reins are specifically designed to prevent loss of control if they break.

(a) No racehorse shall be ridden at a racetrack unless the rider is equipped with a safety helmet and safety vest.

(b) No later than July 1, 2006, the board shall conduct an investigation, including at least one public hearing, to determine whether the use of safety reins would provide jockeys and exercise riders greater protection from accidents and injuries than conventional reins. Should the board determine that the use of safety reins would provide greater protection for jockeys and exercise riders than conventional reins, it shall adopt a regulation no later than July 1, 2007, mandating the use of approved safety reins whenever a racehorse is ridden at a racetrack. The regulation adopted by the board may phase in the use of safety reins, but in the event safety reins are mandated, the board shall not permit the use of conventional reins in a parimutuel race for longer than 18 months following the adoption of the regulation.

(c) The board shall approve any model of safety helmet, safety vest, and mandatory safety rein, if required, in use at a racetrack.

(d) For the purposes of this section, a “safety rein” is a type of rein that is reinforced with a wire cable, nylon strap, or other safety device or material that is attached to the bit and designed to maintain control of the horse should the rein break.

(e) For the purposes of this section, a “conventional rein” is any rein other than a safety rein.

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Section § 19506

This law requires a study of jockeys' health to help decide the right weight limits and practices to keep them safe and healthy. The study must be scientific, overseen by a university expert in sports health, and should not be influenced by the horse racing industry. A committee with various horse racing representatives will advise on the study, but cannot interfere with its integrity. Private funds will support the study, and other racing bodies outside California can join in. After the study, the board will publicly review the results and, if necessary, set new weight rules for jockeys based on the findings.

No later than July 1, 2006, the board shall approve and participate in a health assessment study of jockeys that will provide information relevant to the determination of an appropriate jockey scale of weights and weight control practices that will maximize jockey health and safety.

(a) The study shall be conducted under accepted scientific principles, shall be peer reviewed, and shall be performed under the auspices of a university based director with expertise in sports medicine, nutrition, or occupational safety and health. The study director shall be independent of the horse racing industry.

(b) The board shall form a committee to provide input and advice on the design of the study. The committee shall include members of the board, and representatives of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the Jockey’s Guild, the California Thoroughbred Trainers, the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association, the California Authority of Racing Fairs and of the racetracks. However, the board shall insure that no member of the committee nor any other person shall attempt to improperly interfere with study design or execution or compromise its integrity.

(c) The study shall be funded by private sources. Nothing in this section shall prevent the participation of racing regulatory bodies outside of California in the study.

(d) Upon completion of the study the board shall review the findings at a public hearing. If the board determines, upon review of the study, that the current scale of weights for jockeys is detrimental to jockey health and safety, it shall adopt regulations to establish weight or body composition requirements appropriate to maintain jockeys in a healthy and safe physical condition.

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