SACRAMENTO – Today, in the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee,  Assemblywoman Fiona Ma’s (D-San Francisco) Justice for Jockeys legislation received bi-partisan support and passed out of committee.  During the hearing, the committee heard compelling testimony in support of the bill from two California jockeys, Joy Scott and Danny Sorenson. AB 649, which is sponsored by the Jockeys’ Guild, will increase the minimum riding fee jockeys receive by 9% on January 1, 2008 and require that the minimum riding fee be increased in the future whenever the state minimum wage is increased by the percentage of that increase.  The minimum jockey riding fee, also known as a mount fee, is essentially a minimum wage and is set by the California Horse Racing Board.  The minimum riding fee has been increased once in the last 19 years.  Last year, the Legislature raised the minimum wage from $6.75 to $8.00 over a two year period, which amounts to an 18 percent increase.

“Inflation has gone up 75 percent, while jockeys have received a 5 percent raise” said Assemblywoman Ma, who is a CPA. “In what other occupation does someone receive a 5 percent wage increase over a 20 year period?  This bill will bring justice for jockeys.”

Jockeys are some of the world’s best athletes riding horses over 1,000 pounds, while having to maintain their own weight below 125 pounds.  Horse racing is the only sport where an ambulance follows the athletes during the event. Often, Jockeys have to perform this work with very little compensation. In fact, about 75% of jockeys earn less than $40,000 per year.  

The last increase that jockeys’ received occurred in 2001 and amounted to about a 5 percent raise. Currently, the minimum riding fee ranges between $33 and $105 for a race depending on the size of the purse.  The minimum riding fee for the average race is around $50.  Jockeys can earn additional money depending on whether the horse places in first, second, or third.  

“Despite their hard work, jockeys are treated as second class athletes,” said Assemblywoman Ma.  “Jockeys are working under standards that baseball players worked under a hundred years ago.”

The bill will be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee sometime next month.