Richie McLernon: Life As A Jockey

Most jobs involve sacrifices. Working late shifts once a week, having to head into the office every other weekend, or simply just having to work on your birthday.

However, the life of a jockey involves many sacrifices, from early starts to 100-mile car journeys. We spoke to Richie McLernon, who has ridden for Old Gold Racing on several occasions, about being a jockey.

Richie explained, 'On a normal day, I’d wake up around 6.30 am, then I would ride out a couple of lots before going racing; but that can change, depending on where I’m racing and where I’m riding out. Then I would make my way to the races and ride however many rides I have that day, and then go home.

Every day is different because I never know where I’m racing or how many rides I have. Some days are longer than others and some days are shorter, but with every day being different it does keep you fresh.'

Due to the coronavirus restrictions, jockeys can no longer ride at two or more courses on the same day. This means that some jockeys will have incredibly busy days and be riding in most races, whereas others could travel for miles for just one ride.

Richie said, 'On days I have only one ride, it’s quite an easy day; whereas other days I could have four or five. You obviously prefer a busier day, but if you’ve only got one ride (and it’s a good one), then it’s better than riding three bad ones. It all depends on the horses you’re riding.

It does mean that you’re always on the road, but since lockdown came in, we’ve had 48-hour declarations and that’s definitely helped with the planning. Before, you could be up North one day, but then you wouldn’t know until the next morning whether you were going to be up there again. Whereas now you’ve got a fair idea of where you’re going to be and you can plan it out.'

Diet is another area of sacrifice. Some have to carefully plan their meals to ensure they are at the weight required for their racing later that day or the next; whereas others don’t have to be that strict.

Richie explained which bracket he falls into, 'I’m lucky enough that my weight is okay, but there are plenty of times where you might have to skip things to put your weight first. For example, if you were planning on having a nice meal out with others, but you’ve got to ride the next day and you’ve got a light weight, then you might have to sack-off going for your meal.

I’m lucky that I can eat quite well, and it’s only the very odd time now that I’d have to watch what I’m doing with my weight; but I would have a few days’ notice to do that.'

Although there are several significant cons to the life of a jockey, Richie emphasised that the pros significantly outweigh them.

He concluded, 'I’ve had a good old career so far and it’s been a good journey, so I’m quite happy with the way it’s going.'