The Kentucky Derby's Dark Side: Jockeys Most Exploited Workers In America

[Itsthetruth]

CNN
May 6, 2005

The Derby's dark side
Jockeys' short shrift is shockingly bad but a union may give them basics others take for granted.

by Chris Isidore, CNN/Money senior writer


Most of the millions who will watch Saturday's Kentucky Derby would be shocked to find out the work conditions and compensation of the sports' jockeys.

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - On Saturday, for about two minutes, millions of Americans will watch the most exploited workers in America -- the nation's jockeys. The 20 jockeys riding in the Kentucky Derby are clearly among the sports' most fortunate. But the majority who finish out of the money will take home less than $60 for the race.

For the typical race, the jockey's take home pay is so paltry that a baseball beer vendor looks well paid. "They get $9 per ride and for that they have a better chance of ending up in a wheel chair than they would being in a ring with Mike Tyson," said Wayne Gertmenian, president of the Jockeys' Guild.

Gertmenian has become probably the most hated man in the sport by those who don't ever climb aboard a thoroughbred. They fear that he's going to become the sports' Marvin Miller, a labor leader giving power to the athletes by shutting down the games being played by the owners.

But he's not fighting for free agency and multi-million dollar contracts for his members. Instead he's fighting for the type of things for which unionists fought more than a century ago. Workers' comp coverage to compensate those killed or injured on the job. Safer equipment that costs owners relatively modest amounts. Health insurance paid for by those who hire the jockeys.


http://money.cnn.com/2005/05/06/commentary/column_sportsbiz/sportsbiz/index.htm

[Itsthetruth]

1. Have Fun Watching The Derby

Who cares about jockeys anyway? They do not have PHD's or even BA's.

[Jade Fox]

2. Very dangerous, being a jockey...

I understand its one of the most dangerous occupations around, but I
had no idea they were so poorly paid!

More power to Gertmenian.

[Itsthetruth]

3. Thanks

I needed that! I was a bit worried when it seemed that people just didn't care. I love watching horse races and use to go to them frequently. I never did very well betting on them.

The conditions of people who work on the backlots are also horrible.

[Jade Fox]

4. After I made that post....

I starting wondering where most folks get their ideas about the lives of
jockeys, and remembered seeing the movie 'Seabisquit'. In that film the
jockey seemed as important and respected as the horse and the owner.

My guess is a lot of people got the wrong impression from that film and
others. Modern day reality is quite different, it seems.

[Horse with no Name]

5. I don't know if exploited is the correct term

Underpaid certainly, but most jockeys LOVE their sport and sacrifice everything to do it.
Most live on the farms that they ride for--with room and board and modest living allowances.
It is another sport and they are athletes--as the horses are.
I agree they should be paid more and have benefits, just as every other person in this country deserves--but they aren't forced to ride these horses.
The problem is that our country equates lack of pay with exploitation without taking into account that if you ask the majority of these men and women, they wouldn't want to do anything else. This is their passion, albeit a very underpaid and dangerous passion.