Amid a conflict between Thoroughbred jockeys in Oklahoma and the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma over minimum mount fees, entries for the Sept. 4 card at Remington Park were drawn Aug. 27 without any riders named aboard horses scheduled to compete. The overnight stated that the entry information was subject to change.
Earlier cards drawn for racing in late August had customary riding assignments.
According to an Aug. 27 release from Jockeys' Guild, Thoroughbred Jockeys riding in Oklahoma are currently riding for a minimum mount fee of $75, which was adopted in 2010.
"At the time, that was a fair and reasonable mount fee. However, a lot has changed since then, including the increase of the cost of living, as well as other costs being assessed to the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Jockeys," Jockeys Guild wrote in their release.
On Aug. 26, the TRAO posted on its website that they had been unable to reach an agreement with Jockeys' Guild, sharing what the organization said was their proposal, which they called "fair and in line with those in neighboring regions." According to their posted proposal, losing mount fees ranged from a minimum $90 for races with purses less than $25,000 and rising in scale to $120 in races worth $100,000 more. Jockeys would continue to receive the standard 10% of the win purses, and 5% of second- and third-place earnings.
Oklahoma Thoroughbred jockeys are seeking a minimum losing mount fee of $110.
The Jockeys' Guild wrote that the organization "continues to be in ongoing discussions regarding increases in various jurisdictions throughout the country, including those referenced" in the comparable pay scales listed by TRAO.
"However, there were many facts TRAO failed to include, including differing circumstances in the jurisdictions referenced in its post," its release continued. "First and foremost, the Oklahoma Thoroughbred jockeys have not received an increase in 15 years and have been attempting to reach an agreement for an increase since 2021. During that time, the Guild, at the direction of the jockeys, continued to act in good faith and provide reasonable proposals to TRAO. The response from TRAO was it "was not willing to take action" until the end April of this year. At that time, TRAO sent a counter proposal which provided for a nominal $5 increase and also included a 4th place incentive that the Guild had provided in one of the previous proposals.
"While we recognize the cost of racing has increased for the owners and horsemen, it has also increased for the jockeys. Starting this year, Thoroughbred jockeys riding at Will Rogers Downs were assessed a fee for HISA of $2.76 per mount and those riding at Remington Park are paying $5.76 per mount. To the best of our knowledge, Oklahoma is the only jurisdiction where jockeys are being assessed these fees directly.
"After the jockeys pay their agents, valets, HISA fees and Guild membership fees, the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Jockeys are taking home approximately $40. The current jockey mount fees are not sufficient to allow the jockeys, those who are risking their lives, to earn a fair living for themselves and their families.
"TRAO's statement also failed to include the fact the proposal on behalf of the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Jockeys is the same scale currently being paid to Oklahoma Quarter Horse Jockeys as provided for in an Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission Directive, 2025-D-1, OAC 325:25-1-30, Jockey Mount Fees.
"It should also be noted that starting in 2023, based on the opinion of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, the Oklahoma Jockeys are no longer being paid on the Oklahoma Bred incentives that are included in purses. Furthermore, in the jurisdictions referenced in TRAO's post, as well as many others, the jockeys are paid on the state-bred incentives that are included in the purses and in the horses' earnings.
"For all of these reasons, the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Jockeys believe it is only fair and reasonable to be afforded the increase to a minimum of $110 per mount. They are simply asking to be provided with the same scale that has been approved for the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Jockeys.
"It is recognized jockeys are independent contractors and jockeys are free to negotiate their own terms for each horse they ride. However, in the past, the Jockeys' Guild, on behalf of the Oklahoma Jockeys, and the respective horsemen's organizations have agreed to a minimum mount. The Oklahoma Thoroughbred Jockeys are hopeful an agreement can be reached with TRAO.
"Negotiations regarding the minimum mount fees are between Jockeys' Guild, on behalf of the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Jockeys, and TRAO, and do not include Remington Park. The Guild has a longstanding working relationship with Remington Park and hopes to continue to do so moving forward."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
