• Proposals to minimize the risk of unequal relationships and improve the financial situation for apprentices given unanimous approval by BHA Board
• New deal will give apprentices greater share of prize money and riding fee in return for sole responsibility for their expenses
• Changes come following 2018 audit which suggested a number of apprentices were not having their travel expenses paid

Apprentice jockeys will have simplified and clearer deals in place with trainers from next year following unanimous approval from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Board.

The new arrangements are designed to minimize the risk of creating unequal relationships and improve the financial situation for apprentices and follow a 2018 BHA audit which suggested a number of apprentices were not having their travel expenses paid.

From the beginning of the 2020 Flat turf season apprentices will receive a greater proportion of prize money and their riding fee, and in return be responsible for paying their own expenses.

This will ensure the trainer/apprentice relationship can focus on ongoing progression and education rather than administration and remove the potential for negative feelings over finances.

Previously both prize money and the riding fee had been split more evenly in return for trainers paying a portion of apprentice’s expenses.

Tim Naylor, Director of Integrity and Regulation at the BHA, said:

“It is important that financial arrangements between young riders and their employers are clear simple, and fair and allow both parties to focus on training, support and development rather than potentially creating an uneven balance of power.

“It is also entirely right that the increased involvement and support from trainers in the early stages of a jockey’s career is suitably recognised.

“The new agreement will achieve these aims and mean a simpler and clearer deal for apprentices with more control and security over their finances, allowing them to concentrate on their progression and development as riders.”

Background
Following requests from the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) for the arrangements between apprentices and trainers to be examined, the BHA carried out an audit of current arrangements in late 2018 with a number of trainers and apprentices, also undertaking comprehensive analysis of the financial implications.

The audit found that, in reality, apprentice/trainer relationships are not structured as per the agreement and both trainers and jockeys believed the agreement could be improved. It was also highlighted how the most divisive subject was the payment of expenses and based on feedback it was alleged a number of apprentices were not having their travel expenses paid.

Following the audit a cross-industry working party was created to allow the BHA to facilitate negotiations between the PJA and the National Trainers Federation. Both organisations have also sought the views of their members regarding potential changes to the existing arrangments.

It was not possible to come to unanimous agreement, and as such the following changes were put before to the BHA Board for approval:

• Expenses, which were previously split between trainers and apprentices for 5 and 7lb apprentices, will now become the sole responsibility of the jockey;
• To compensate, and to better align the income received by apprentices and conditionals, a greater share of prize money and riding fees will be received by apprentices.

These changes, the details of which can be seen below, have been approved and will take effect as of 28 March 2020. On this date 7lb conditional riders will also become responsible for their own expenses but will now retain their entire riding fee to ensure consistency.

The changes to expenses as well as to riding fee and prize money splits will now move from training agreements to be incorporated into Rules of Racing, with no action required for apprentices/conditionals or trainers.

The cross-industry working group will continue to meet as these changes bed in next year and consider if further improvements can be made.

Tim Naylor added:

“Negotiating a new agreement which adequately balances the feelings of both parties was always going to be a challenge, and I would like to thank the PJA, NTF and those on the cross-industry working group for their efforts over what has been an extensive period of thorough and frank discussion between the two bodies and their members.

“We are aware that the changes announced today will not meet with unanimous support, but thanks to the efforts of those involved we have been able to arrive at the most suitable compromise available.”

Notes to editors:

1. New apprentice and conditional agreements will be available from the start of the Flat Turf season on 28 March 2020. In the instance that a new Apprentice or Conditional agreement is to be completed ahead of 28 March 2020, the current agreement will be used with a note attached detailing when the new rules are to come into force.

2.The current breakdown of prizemoney and riding fees for apprentices is as follows:

RIDING FEE SPLIT				PRIZE MONEY SPLIT
Claim	Jockey %	Trainer %		Claim	Jockey %	Trainer %
3lbs	80	20		3lbs	50	50
5lbs	55	45		5lbs	50	50
7lbs	50	50		7lbs	50	50

The new breakdown of prize money and riding fees for apprentices:

RIDING FEE SPLIT				PRIZE MONEY SPLIT
Claim	Jockey %	Trainer %		Claim	Jockey %	Trainer %
3lbs	80	20		3lbs	90	10
5lbs	80	20		5lbs	80	20
7lbs	80	20		7lbs	80	20

3. Projected changes to trainer and apprentice expenditure/income.

On average these changes will result in an expenditure/income shift as follows, for each category of apprentice.

Please note: The income for apprentices is on top of their wages, but also assumes that apprentices received the correct expenses. The figures stated below are net figures, after VAT has been taken into account.

7lbs Claimer

Average annual revenue to trainer under old system: £950
Estimated average annual revenue to trainer under new system: £600

Average annual revenue to apprentice under old system: £1,700
Estimated average annual revenue to apprentice under new system: £2,050

Mean change: £350

5lbs Claimer

Average annual revenue to trainer under old system: £3,750
Estimated average annual revenue to trainer under new system: £2,850

Average annual revenue to apprentice under old system: £8,700
Estimated average annual revenue to apprentice under new system: £9,600

Mean change: £900

3lbs Claimer

Average annual revenue to trainer under old system: £9,700
Estimated average annual revenue to trainer under new system: £3,400

Average annual revenue to apprentice under old system: £12,000
Estimated average annual revenue to apprentice under new system: £18,300

Mean change: £6,300 (Please note that this figure is affected by certain individual apprentices who have generated significant prize money. The projected median change is £3,450).