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

Victorian jockeys are being urged to “stay strong” as the impasse over unpaid jumpouts enters a third week.

Victorian jockeys are paid for official trials but not jumpouts as they are traditionally deemed as part of horse training and an opportunity for riders to help trainers in return for race rides. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images.

Victorian jockeys are being urged to “stay strong” as the impasse over unpaid jumpouts enters a third week.

This masthead has confirmed the Victorian Jockeys’ Association (VJA) rejected a proposal from the Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA) for riders to invoice stables directly for jumpouts as “unrealistic and impractical”.

The ATA last week suggested jockeys, as sole traders, invoice trainers directly for an agreed jumpout fee and stables could then decide whether to absorb the cost or pass it on to owners.

The VJA wants payment for jumpouts handled the same way as riding fees, through a centralised Racing Victoria system, which ensures “regulatory oversight, and is accurate, transparent and fair”.

VJA chief executive Matt Hyland hopes to renew negotiations this week.

“I’m really hopeful with Racing Victoria’s help the ATA will come back to the room and discuss it and try and come to a resolution,” Hyland said.

“We believe Jockey No. 1, the same as Jockey No. 180, should be paid for his or her work.

“Regardless of what his or her last name is they should be paid the same.”

VJA chief executive Matt Hyland. Photo: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images.

Hyland would not be drawn on details of the negotiations, including the proposed jumpout fee.

Sources not authorised to speak publicly said talks centre on a $50 fee per ride plus superannuation, which would cost trainers and by extension owners, most likely, of 25,000 starters a combined $1.4 million a year.

Jockeys are paid $110 per ride in official trials.

The number of jumpouts has doubled the past decade, as they cost considerably less to run than trials due to staffing and infrastructure yet look the same.

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Trainers will again rely on track and apprentice riders for jumpouts this week with senior jockeys asked to “maintain your commitment to ensure we get an outcome to this unpaid work” in a text message from Hyland to members obtained by this masthead.

The correspondence, marked as “Confidential”, came as a handful of senior jockeys last week chose to ride in jumpouts.

“Can I ask you stay strong to the cause until further notice,” Hyland wrote.

“You are entitled to be paid and it will take your commitment for us to get the ultimate outcome.

“We are all in this together.”

The VJA asked members to not ride jumpouts from December 1 until they are paid for the service.

Originally published as Victorian jockeys urged to ‘stay strong’ in fight for paid jumpouts