New Zealand

1. Please describe how the jockeys are paid in your country. If appropriate, please provide the monetary amount for compensation or the percentage for riding fees, as well as the percentage of the purse distribution. Of these fees, please advise how much, if any, each rider contributes to benefits and/or the jockey association.

$143.65 plus GST and 5% of prize money. Jockeys contribute $1.50 per ride to the Jockeys Association and Apprentices 0.75c per ride.

2. Please advise if your country provides socialized medicine. If not, please describe the health care that is provided to riders and who contributes to the cost of such expense.

No, apart from what is provided by NZTR.

3. Please advise if jockeys are covered under a workers’ compensation program or something similar in the event of an accident in your country. If not, who is responsible for the cost of care for the injured jockey?

Accident Compensation Cooperation here in NZ provides for 80% of average income up to a maximum amount.

4. Please advise if foreign riders are covered if they are injured in your country. If so, who provides the insurance for foreign riders when they come to ride? How long is the coverage? Does it only cover medical care received in your country or does it also cover care once they have returned home?

Foreign riders have Cover for medical and hospital costs whilst in NZ paid under ACC but have no income for loss of earnings

5. Please provide all sources of funding for your jockey association.

The only funding the Jockeys Association receives is by riding fee deductions as described in item 1.

6. Please advise if it is mandatory for jockeys to be a member of your organization.

No, but they must be a Member to receive the rider engagement fee being 50% of the riding fee and the minimum riding allowance of which is $51.87

7. Please provide all sources of funding for the jockey benefits that your members receive, including contributions from the jockeys, the owners, your association, the government and racing bodies, etc.

NZTR operate the General Trust Fund of which is there to support all Jockeys in the case of death, injury or hardship.

8. Please provide a description of all benefits provided to the jockeys who are members of your organization such as disability benefits including temporary or permanent disabilities, death benefits, pension plans, medical insurance and coverage, etc.

All Jockeys are responsible for arranging their own Insurance outside ACC of which is compulsory, medical insurance, retirement funding but are able to apply for support to the General Trust Fund.

9. Please provide a description of benefits provided for retired jockeys, if any, in addition to the benefits provided to active riders.

Nil.

10. Please advise if your association receives any of the fines paid by jockeys as a result of racing infractions or violations.

No but all Fines are directed to NZTR and allocated by them.

11. Please provide any and all information pertaining to the medical standards and guidelines or requirements during race meets. For example, the number of doctors, medical personnel, ambulances, relations with medical trauma centers, etc.

All race days have Ambulance along with a Paramedic and First Response Unit and most Saturdays Clubs provide a Doctor on course.

12. If required, who is responsible for the cost of liability policies for coverage of the jockeys in the event of an accident?

No riders carry Liability Cover in NZ

13. Please advise if your organization has a charity fund to assist riders (both active and retired) with hardships and who provides the funding.

No, but any fund-raising activities generally direct the funds to the NZTR General Trust Fund.

14. Please provide the standards for the safety vest and for the helmets for the jockeys. Who is responsible for inspecting the equipment to make sure that it is in compliance with the rules. Is any of the equipment provided by or paid for by the association or others?

VEST TYPE

APPLICABLE STANDARD

Racesafe

EN 13158:2009 level 1 & BETA 2009 Level 2

Oz Vest

ARB Standard 1: 1998

Racelite Pro

ARB Standard 1: 1998

Vipa & Vipa 1

EN 13158:2009 Level 1

USG Flexi Race

EN 13158:2009 Level 1 & BETA 2009 Level 1

Airowear Swift

EN 13158:2018 & BETA Level 3 2018


Skull Cap Standards

    • AS/NZS 3838 2006
    • EN1384:2012 or EN 1384:2017
    • ASTM F116 3-04a (2011), ASTM F1163-13 or ASTM F1163-15.
    • PAS 015:2011
    • VG1 01.040

15. Is there a minimum and/or maximum age for licensing? Is schooling or training mandated?

15 Years and NZTR provide Apprentice Schools and training etc.

16. Please explain with regards to the kitchens in the jockey quarter or food that is available to riders during the race day.

At most venues jockeys are required to use a shared kitchen that provides food for both jockeys and trainers and in all cases, both are required to pay for their food with free tea and coffee, water and juice available for jockeys.

17. Please advise the minimum scale of weights for riders in your country. Additionally, please advise what equipment is included when a jockey weighs out before the race.

52kg (8st 3lb). Riders to weigh out vest and all gear excluding skull cap, whip and number cloth

18. Please advise if your organization provides assistance and education pertaining health and well-being such nutrition, psychological, job retraining, etc.

No but all these matters are the responsibility of NZTR.

19. Is jockey advertising allowed in your country? If so, what are the requirements to allow for jockeys to wear the advertising? Is it the individual riders who enter into the contracts with the sponsors or does your organization handle to negotiations? How are the proceeds of the contracts distributed or do all of the funds go to the individual jockey?

Very few have individual sponsorship arrangements (about 5) but those that do retain that income. This year we have obtained a National Sponsor that provides funding to us to purchase jockeys breeches and also provides a lump sum donation of which is directed to the NZTR General Trust Fund.

20. How are the jockey agents and valets paid? What is the usual percentage that the agents receive? What is the usual percentage for valets?

Jockeys Agents it is generally accepted they receive 10% of the riding fee and prize-money, but no riders here have valets.