When I first started in this business, I wrote a column about how some fans heckle and verbally abuse jockeys after a losing race. I’m sure it’s probably the worst in New York or Philly (surprise, surprise, huh?), but there were some instances at Santa Anita that surprised me. I’ve heard retired riders like Eddie Delahoussaye and Chris McCarron bark back at hecklers on the way back to the jocks’ room, but most times the riders will just quietly walk away.
Racing’s most recent tragedy, the terrible spill involving veteran jockey Rene Douglas at the top of the stretch in last Saturday’s Matron Stakes at Arlington Park near Chicago, left Douglas with broken bones in his neck and damage to his spine that could render the 42-year-old rider paralyzed for the rest of his life. He currently has no feeling in his feet or his legs, but reports are that that does not necessarily mean he will remain paralyzed. Doctors won’t know for days until swelling goes down.
What this accident does is again point out how jockeys put their lives and good health on the line each and every time they ride in a race. Yes, they are paid well in many instances to perform their duties, but that doesn’t give us the racing public the right to just lay into these guys because we didn’t think they made the right riding decision during the course of a race.
I’ve heard people say their horse would have won if “Stevens had done this, or Bailey had done that!” but the fact of the matter is, these professional riders have to make split-second decisions on animals that weigh between 1,000 and 1,200 pounds and in many cases they have to make the decisions while in very tight quarters. Some times the decisions pan out, many times they don’t. But I’ll tell you, I wouldn’t want their job for all the money in the world. I admire the work they do, their strength in steering these powerful horses in one way or another. It’s a dangerous job, and oftentimes they take abuse that is not deserved.
When Rene Douglas rode in the Southland many years back, I’m sure I made some losing bets on him. But you know what? He was trying as hard to win on those horses as I was rooting for him to succeed. If he made a bad decision, oh well. He’s human, folks. And there’s no way most of us would have made a better decision or done half as well given the opportunity.
These athletes are well-conditioned, much more so than some of their baseball and football counterparts. They have to be. They don’t have the luxury of carrying around extra baggage like C C Sabathia, Bartolo Colon and many NFL linemen who are not nearly in the shape these riders are.
I admire their work and I’m glad I’m a fan of a sport that allows me the pleasure of watching them in action four or five days a week. It’s too bad it takes a tragic accident like the one Douglas was involved in to make us realize just how truly dangerous their job is.
Say a prayer for Rene Douglas tonight before you go to bed. Hopefully, he’ll walk again and give us all another example of just how courageous these jockeys are.
Here’s a link to a story on the Daily Racing Form’s Web site, detailing the updated condition of Douglas:
http://www.drf.com/news/article/104119.html
This Article is very nice It is too good Horse Racing is Very Benefit business but Horse Racing is most recent tragedy and i think in this professional riders make second decisions on animals
Great post Art.
Unfortunately riders have taken abuse forever from degenerate gamblers who make bad bets and always look for someone to blame. These guys do risk their lives for the sport they love and for our enjoyment. The list of paralyzed and killed riders is long. Not only the risk on track but the health risks they take to maintain a small archaic weight to ride these 1200 pound animals (lets not open that can about max weight these guys have to stay under).
Ive worked at the track and personally know big name and lesser named jocks. I know what they do to maintain, I know what they eat, what they put their bodies, minds, and families through to ride. They are human and SOME do make great money riding, others barely make enough to live.
Whats the jock mount fee these days? $45? $75? $100? Depends on what state you ride in. You dont finish top 3, thats what you get. Some of these guys ride 3-10 races per week, after taxes and agent fees, insurance premiums and guild fees, some 60% of riders around the country live at the poverty level. Yes there are the top jocks that live high on the hog but I remember back in oh what 1994, I was at Churchill Downs for the Breeders Cup. Garret Gomez was a nobody. Couldnt get a top mount for anything. His life off the track is well documented and it wasnt until a few years ago, 2006 maybe, that GoGo actually became the main man for Pletcher replacing the injured Johnny V and has been on fire since. Chris Antley, P Val, Hebert, Romero, Sellers, the list goes on and on.
Its a sad way of life, even when youre on top. It amazes me that 97% of the jockeys walk from the track to the room IN THE OPEN, in the middle of all the fans. The winning rider is followed by one track security guard, other than that, these guys are fair game to all kinds of abuse. Scary if you think about it. The only track locally that has barricades keeping the fans away from jockeys is Hollywood Park. With as much money that is wagered on Southern California races, Im amazed nothing tragic has ever happened to one of the guys.
122 pounds of human going 40 miles per hour on a 1200 pound animal is tough enough. They dont need trash from the fans. Over 28 jockeys have been killed in racing accidents and a few from dehydration (Emanuel Sanchez), starvation (Chris McKenzie), and unknown circumstances Ron Hansen and Chris Antley.
Rene is alive to luckily live out his days with his family. Reality is he may be permanently paralyzed, and that is a tragedy. Best wishes to Rene and his family.
A lovely contemplation on the incredible risk jockeys take in their livelihood. Yes, some of them are well-paid, but the majority are just making a living, less than a 100K a year, with no job security, high risk of injury, and risky incomplete health-benefits. Try sharply turning the course an 1000 lb. animal moving at 35+ mph in the midst of other horses.
My faith is in the fact that jockeys are the best-conditioned athletes out there — just not merely for their size. Douglas has an tremendous advantage over those who have not had to experience his live-long acts of it’s-a-job bravery. I pray and believe he will be able to walk again.
Very well said, Jerry. Having worked at the track yourself, you are familiar with what these riders have to go through … many of the fans might think it’s a glamorous lifestyle, and for some it is, but as you point out, there are more who struggle to just make ends meet while competing in a very dangerous sport.
Susan,
Amen to that … with all who are praying for Rene, let’s hope he pulls through and can live a normal, happy life.