British jockeys set for increase in riding fees after BHA decides figure for first time

Riding fees in Britain are set to rise by three per cent from February 1, with the BHA board having set the figure for the first time.

Both the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) said they were open to the process of determining fee increases changing in future.

Negotiations between the PJA and ROA took place in November, with the PJA saying it would accept a fee increase in 2025 equivalent to inflation as it stood at the time of the talks, which was 3.2 per cent. The ROA subsequently offered two per cent. The previous year the two sides had asked the BHA to mediate, which ended with a 3.1 per cent increase in fees.

This time the PJA and ROA agreed to ask the BHA board to determine what the appropriate increase should be and made submissions.

PJA chief executive Paul Struthers said the negotiations with the ROA had been amicable. 

He added: "There's an argument, and it is a conversation we will be having with the ROA, that it is actually potentially better in future that fees are just set by the BHA on an annual basis. That is how it happens in most other jurisdictions rather than leaving it to the two trade associations to negotiate.

"Equally, particularly with the Thoroughbred Group working better together than it ever has, is it something we really don't need to be dealing with when it does have the potential to be a little acrimonious? Not that it has been.

"The BHA made a decision with the rationale behind it and we fully accepted their decision. Maybe that is the best way to deal with it in the future but that hasn't been decided yet."

Paul Struthers: "potentially better in future that fees are just set by the BHA on an annual basis"Credit: Edward Whitaker

ROA chief executive Louise Norman said she believed it was worth looking at better ways to conduct the riding fees negotiation process.

She said: "There is a lot of time and resource, and that's what becomes frustrating, put into sitting down and talking about it. I think there are certainly better ways of doing it and I think there is an opportunity now to explore that."

Norman added: "There is an expectation that prices increase and I think that's in every walk of life. I think the challenge for owners is while they understand and appreciate costs go up, they are not getting any reward coming to them the other way."

The riding fee payable to Flat jockeys will increase to  £167.67 from £162.79, while jump jockeys will receive £227.92 from £221.28.

In addition, the fee paid to a jockey whose horse is subsequently made a non-runner will increase to £83.84 on the Flat and to £113.96 over jumps.

Read these next:

Riding fees set for 3.1 per cent increase after BHA mediates between owners and jockeys 

Owners' body says its members' loyalty must not be exploited as BHA announces 3.9 per cent rise in participant fees 

Jockeys 'upset and angry' following scheduling of additional fixture 

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