‘Sit down and negotiate’: Respected trainer Michael Kent urges ATA to resolve dispute, pay jockeys for jumpouts

Respected horseman Michael Kent says jockeys should be paid for jumpouts and has urged former Australian Trainers’ Association counterparts to ‘sit down and negotiate the best outcome for us’.

Trainer Michael Kent. Picture: Ross Holburt / Racing Photos

Respected horseman Michael Kent says jockeys should be paid for jumpouts and has urged former Australian Trainers’ Association counterparts to “sit down and negotiate the best outcome for us”.

Kent said payment for jumpouts would benefit trainers statewide by creating a “whole new workforce of professional track riders”.

ATA and Victorian Jockeys’ Association representatives will meet again on Monday at Epsom Rd with Racing Victoria as a mediator in a bid to resolve the ongoing pay dispute stalemate.

“They’re (jockeys) going to get paid, whether the trainers like it or not,” Kent said.

“The trainers (ATA) need to sit down and negotiate the best outcome for us, the smallest fee possible.

“They want $80? Offer $50 and land in the middle somewhere … as everyone is tightening their belts.”

The ATA a fortnight ago tabled a proposal for jockeys to invoice trainers directly for jumpout fees.

The VJA rejected the suggestion as “unrealistic and impractical” and said payment must be handled the same way as riding fees, through the centralised RV system, to ensure regulatory oversight, accuracy, transparency and fairness.

Storm in a teacup…
The average training bill for a racehorse in work is approx $6k a month, maybe more?
In work for 4 months at a time equals $24,000. Now add $220 for two jump-outs = $24,220
Pay the boys and girls for their work now that we are in 2024, and stop the nonsense.…

— Stephen Baster (@StephenBaster) November 27, 2024

• Victorian jockeys urged to ‘stay strong’ in fight for paid jumpouts

Kent rebuffed the ATA invoice proposal.

“They’re going to have a meeting on Monday and the trainers are not going to change their stance, ‘you invoice us’, I mean who’s going to do that, it’s almost embarrassing to put it out there,” Kent said.

“They (jockeys) should be paid, definitely, and the ATA aren’t seeing it for what it should be.”

Kent said a renegotiated travel allowance, currently afforded to jockeys, would largely cover the extra cost of paid jumpouts.

“A jockey living in the metropolitan area going to a metropolitan track for three rides and paid (travel), I think is not productive enough,” Kent said.

“It would be way more productive for that money, or part thereof, be transferred (to jumpouts), there’s a conversation there to be had.

“I’m on the (group) text with the ATA and their stance is ‘No’ … I’m not sure it’s up to trainers to tell the jockeys they can’t get paid.”

Kent said paid jumpouts provided an opportunity for lesser-light jockeys and professional track riders to make a proper living and also removed any obligation on trainers for race day bookings.

“The ATA I’m not sure represents all the trainers’ views,” Kent said.

“We could develop a whole new workforce of professional track riders to make good money riding jumpouts.

“Jockeys will need to give up something … the reason we brought the travel allowance in is probably gone, there used to be not as many jocks and they wouldn’t go for one ride.

“The reason jockeys are doing so much (riding jumpouts) is because we haven’t got enough track riders … here’s a way to develop a whole workforce and it’s got to cover every jumpout in the whole state.”

Kent also defended top jockeys, including VJA president Damian Lane, for standing their ground.

“Damian Lane is the face of the jockeys and people think he’s being greedy,” Kent said.

“It’s not about him, he doesn’t want to be there (jumpouts all morning), he doesn’t need the money … he’s just acting for his members.”

Originally published as ‘Sit down and negotiate’: Respected trainer Michael Kent urges ATA to resolve dispute, pay jockeys for jumpouts