What is a claiming jockey? Apprentices, conditionals and amateurs

What is the difference between an apprentice, a conditional and an amateur jockey?

An apprentice is a young professional Flat jockey, a conditional is the jumps equivalent, and an amateur rides for no fee in either code, with all three able to claim a weight allowance while inexperienced.

Apprentices and conditionals are learning a trade. They are employed by a licensed trainer, ride out every morning and build up their race riding with the help of their claim. Amateur riders do the same in a smaller way, often combining riding with another career, and many point-to-point riders hold amateur licences to ride under Rules.

On the racecard all three can show a bracketed allowance after their name. The race type tells you which kind of rider it is: an apprentice in a Flat race, a conditional over jumps.

Why are they called claiming jockeys?

Claiming jockeys get the name because they are entitled to claim a weight allowance off the horse's allotted weight, shown in brackets after their name on the racecard.

The word claim here means the rider's entitlement to an allowance, and it has nothing to do with claiming races, where horses can be bought after the race. A rider who has lost the allowance is described as fully fledged or as having ridden out their claim.

The claim shrinks in steps as the rider wins more races, so the figure in brackets is also a quick guide to experience: 7lb for a rider at the start, 3lb for one close to senior status.

How is a claiming jockey licensed?

Apprentices and conditionals in Britain train at a racing school and are licensed by the BHA while attached to a licensed trainer, and Ireland runs its own licensing through the IHRB.

In Britain the training is run by racing schools such as the British Racing School in Newmarket, covering riding, fitness, weight management and the Rules of Racing. The rider is then attached to a trainer, who gives them rides and helps build their career.

Amateur riders hold a separate permit and must meet their own requirements. Point-to-point riders often move up to ride under Rules as amateurs, and some later turn professional after success in hunter chases and bumpers.

What happens when a jockey rides out their claim?

Once a jockey passes the final winner threshold they lose their allowance and compete with senior riders on level terms, and many find rides harder to come by without the weight advantage.

Trainers booked the claiming rider partly for the pounds off. Once those are gone, the rider has to be picked on ability alone, against established senior jockeys. Some thrive and go on to ride at the top level, while others struggle and drift out of the sport.

That is why the step to senior status is watched closely. A rider who keeps getting good rides after losing the claim has convinced trainers of their ability, and many champion jockeys first made their name as leading apprentices.

Which races are restricted to apprentices or amateurs?

Britain and Ireland run races confined to apprentices, to conditional jockeys and to amateur riders, usually low to middle grade handicaps, so claiming riders compete against others at the same stage.

These races are listed with the rider type in the race title, such as an apprentice handicap or a conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle. Some of these races have extra conditions on which riders can take part. Amateur riders' races include many hunter chases and bumpers.

In some of these races the allowance cannot be claimed at all, as in races confined to conditional jockeys, so the weights on the racecard are the ones to use. Restricted races are also a good place to judge claiming riders against each other.

How do claiming riders show up in the jockey tables?

Public racing records and results from Britain and Ireland.

A claiming rider on a hot streak can be one of the most useful names on a racecard, especially when paired with a trainer who uses them regularly.

Look out for apprentices and conditionals riding for yards that rarely use claimers. That booking can be a deliberate move to get weight off a horse that is ready to win.

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