Fancy earning around US$700,000 annually for doing something you love? The sum is in the region of what has been earned to date in 2009 by Rajiv Maragh, top Jamaican jockey on the American racing circuit.

Like sprinter Usain Bolt, Rajiv Maragh - the first of three sons born to Jamaicans Collin and Jean Maragh - is earning at the high end of his field, but we understand from local racing sources that others who are disciplined and well connected can also experience great success in racing as a career. Jockeys are paid 10 per cent of the winning mount's earnings.

Locally, riders earn J$1,000 per horse ridden on race days, plus fees for exercising horses in the mornings as needed. Those who gain the confidence of trainers and secure good rides and win races will enjoy heftier returns. To date in 2009, top local jockeys have taken home their share in over $25 million in earnings from wins.

Chris Armond, manger of Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) notes that from their 10 per cent, jockeys will pay their agent and pay tax, taking home the rest. Top earners locally can safely take home $5 million annually.

For those who are not successful, it's pretty tough, he notes, but adds that they get paid a fee for exercising the horse.

Riding winners

So, are you interested in riding as a career?

If you are of medium height and weight (approximately 50 kilograms or 110 pounds) and have a love for horses and racing, you may want to consider going to jockey training school which is run by the Jamaica Racing Commission for six months approximately every three years.

The programme graduated 19 new jockeys in early September. The youngsters, including one female, were taught horsemanship by equestrian Susan Wates and riding techniques by former champion jockey Emelio 'Bimbo' Rodriquez, among other skills.

Collin Maragh, father of Rajiv Maragh and a jockey-turned-trainer himself - based in Florida - tells Careers that self-discipline was the most important quality that a successful jockey will develop.

"He will need to have the discipline to eat correctly, among other things."

Maragh's son has seemingly mastered the art of discipline and dedication. Rajiv is currently third on the Saratoga circuit with 27 wins, placing behind Ramon Dominquez (37) and Alan Garcia (31). To date, he has tallied 173 wins for mounts earnings of US$7.67 million.

CTL head Chris Armond states that, in addition to basic training, the jockey must build a relationship with the trainer who is the individual who will allow him to ride.

"Some of the jockeys have agents who try to get them the best rides," he noted. "Jockeys," he stated, "must have a good work ethic and must be healthy and fit. They must also have what we call a good pair of hands to communicate with the horse and help them to relax and run."

Armond believes that for top jockeys, a good agent plays a big role as he knows the owners and also knows which horses are healthy and likely to place as winners if skilfully handled.

Jamaican pioneers

The CTL head states that, as far as Jamaican riders go, pioneers include Richard DePass, George Hosing, Charles Hussey, Michael Lee and "elder statesmen" like Winston Griffiths, among others.

He notes that international opportunities are open to those who make the most of their racing contacts. Most of the jockeys in Canada, he states, are from the island of Barbados.

avia.collinder@gleanerjm.com