Achievements
— Defining the sport
Major Accomplishments & Safety Progress
Progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through leadership, advocacy, and action. From advancing on-track safety standards to strengthening rider representation and benefits, the Guild’s work has produced measurable change.
Explore the milestones that define the Guild's commitment to protecting riders and improving the sport.
FAIR COMPENSATION AND MOUNT FEES
The Guild has secured essential financial fairness for riders by leading the industry’s most significant reforms to mount fees and earnings, including:
- Mandatory
mount fees were established and increased to 10%, 5%, and 5% of purses at
participating tracks, replacing the old system that required owner or trainer approval.
- Base mount fee increases
(2007) across most racing jurisdictions — the largest improvements in 25 years, increasing pay scales for ALL jockeys in ALL jurisdictions.
- Eliminated valets’ pool deductions for Guild members in most jurisdictions.
- In California, the Guild helped pass retirement plan legislation for qualified jockeys.
- Established the Guild-sponsored SOLO K program in 2017, providing all members access to an additional retirement savings option.
MEDICAL PROTECTION, INSURANCE, & SUPPORT
The Guild has established life-changing protections that support jockeys and their families during injury, disability, or hardship:
- Temporary disability benefits for qualified members.
- Life insurance and AD&D coverage for active members.
- Increased life insurance for retired and permanently disabled members.
- Workers’ compensation / catastrophic injury insurance or track accident policies across jurisdictions.
- Reimbursement for medication and prescriptions for members permanently disabled due to on-track accidents.
- Supplemental health-cost reimbursements at multiple participating tracks.
ON-TRACK SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT STANDARDS
One of the Guild’s greatest areas of impact has been raising safety standards across racetracks nationwide:
- Ensured adequate first-aid rooms and ambulances following riders on track.
- Drove improvements to helmets, vests, and protective rails.
- Implemented padded starting gates to reduce impact injuries.
- Advocated for a standardized racing cancellation policy prioritizing rider safety.
- Developed and enhanced comprehensive safety standards adopted across racing jurisdictions.
REPRESENTATION, RIGHTS, & LEGAL ADVOCACY
The Guild ensures jockeys have a seat at the table—and protection when they need it most:
- Ongoing representation with stewards, track management, and racing commissions.
- Key role in West Virginia Supreme Court ruling affirming that license holders have the right to appeal ejections. Strengthened riders’ rights through consistent national advocacy.
- HISA representation for Guild members.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
The Guild has played an integral part in advancing jockey mental health support through industry-wide collaboration.
In partnership with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), the Jockeys’ Guild helped establish a collaborative initiative to address the mental health needs of professional jockeys. Through this effort, HISA facilitated access to Onrise, expanding confidential counseling resources for riders nationwide, while chaplains at racetracks continue to provide trusted, on-the-ground support and trauma-informed care.
This work reflects the Guild’s ongoing commitment to protecting the well-being of jockeys—both on and off the track.
