How to apply for an Apprentice / Conditional Licence
To apply for an Apprentice / Conditional Licence, an applicant needs to be in the full-time employment of a licensed Trainer. That Trainer then needs to nominate the applicant for a licence by submitting an application to the Licensing Team. The application form is found via the Trainer’s Racing Admin login under the ‘My Licences / Permits’ tab and is in two parts – one for the Trainer and one for the prospective Jockey. Once the Trainer has completed their part, an email with a link is sent to the applicant to complete their part. Both parts need to be completed in full before the application is received by the BHA.
If the applicant is applying for a Professional Licence for the first time, or if they have ridden under 20 winners in another jurisdiction, they will be required to attend our full training. This involves a one-day pre-licence assessment, followed by a two-week licence course at either the British Racing School or the National Horseracing College.
In 2024, for the first time the Jockey Licence Courses will be open to both apprentices and conditionals.
Further information, including course dates, can be found in the Forms and Documents section below.
How to apply for a Professional Jockey Licence
To apply for a Professional Jockey Licence an applicant needs to have either ridden 75 (Jumps) / 95 (Flat) winners or be over the age of 26. Applications are not normally considered by those who have not previously held a licence or those that are not able to have demonstrable/appropriate riding experience.
The application form can be found below and further information can be found by reading our Guidance Notes.
How to apply for a Category ‘A’ Amateur Licence
To apply for a Category ‘A’ Amateur Licence, all applicants will need to complete a two-day assessment course. These are run and assessed by the British Racing School and National Horseracing College. Please contact your nearest school for further information and to book a place.
After passing the assessment, applicants will need to submit an application. It is important to also read the Guidance Notes before completing the application form.
Applications must be submitted at least three weeks before an intended first ride. If the application is approved, the Racing Finance Team at Weatherbys will send out details of how to pay and these are sent at the start of each month.
Further information can be found in the documents below. If you have any further queries, please contact the Licensing Team directly.
How to apply for a Category ‘B’ Amateur Licence
To apply for a Category ‘B’ Amateur Licence, applicants must register their interest via email to the BHA Licensing Team – [email protected]. The criteria that must be met to become eligible to attend a course can be found in the Guidance Notes (Section A).
Once eligible, an applicant will be invited to attend a five day course at either the British Racing School or the National Horseracing College.
Further information can be found in the documents below, including the guidance notes. If you have any further queries, please contact the Licensing Team directly.
Contact Us – [email protected] or call 0207 152 0260.
Forms and Documents:
Apprentice and Conditional Jockeys
The online application forms and Guidance Notes for Licences, Permits and Registrations can be found here. The Guidance Notes must be read before an application is made.
Full Professional Jump and Flat Jockeys
The online application forms and Guidance Notes for Licences, Permits and Registrations can be found here. The Guidance Notes must be read before an application is made.
Amateur Riders
The online application forms and Guidance Notes for Licences, Permits and Registrations can be found here. The Guidance Notes must be read before an application is made.
