Jockey Pay Dispute with thoroughbred Owners Reaches Critical โStage
Oklahomaโค city, OK – September 1, 2025, โค10:26:51โค AM CT โค- A contentious dispute overโค jockey compensation is nearing aโค resolution as negotiations between the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Association (OTA)โ and the โฃOklahoma Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (OHBPA) continue down to the wire. The disagreement threatens to disrupt racing schedules at Oklahoma’s tracks, including Remington Park, andโ impacts the livelihoods of jockeys โand the stability of the state’s โฃthoroughbred โคindustry.
At the heart of the conflict is โขa proposed increase โin jockeys’ โคshare of purseโฃ money, currently set at 10%. The OHBPA isโ advocating โfor a raise toโค 12%, arguing that Oklahoma jockeysโค are significantly underpaid compared to their counterparts in other majorโข racing states. Owners, represented by theโ OTA, contend that suchโ an increase would negatively impact their profitability andโ potentially drive owners โฃand horses out of the state. The stakes are high, with the outcomeโ potentially reshapingโ the economicโ landscape โfor Oklahoma’s thoroughbred racing circuit andโข influencing future negotiations nationwide.
The dispute stems from aโค long-standing imbalance in revenue distribution. Jockeys currently receive 10% ofโฃ the purse,owners โขreceive 60%,and the remaining 30%โค is allocated to track operators and other expenses. The OHBPA asserts that โขrising costs of living and increased competition for riders necessitate a fairer share โfor jockeys, who bear significant risk and contribute directly to the success of each race.
“Our jockeysโค are skilledโ athletes who put their bodies on the line every day,” statedโค a โขrepresentative from the OHBPA. “A modest increase in their percentage of โthe purse is โa necessary step to ensureโค they can continue to compete and contribute to the vibrancy of Oklahoma racing.”
The OTA maintains that an โคincrease to 12% would place an undue financial burden on owners, particularly smaller operations. they propose option solutions, such as exploring increased โฃrevenue streams โฃthroughโค expanded wageringโค optionsโข and marketing โคinitiatives. Negotiations are ongoing,with both sides expressing a willingness to reachโฃ a compromiseโ before the start of the fall racing โseason. Aโฃ failure to reach an agreement โcould lead to a boycott by jockeysโค or other โforms ofโข protest, potentially halting racing at โOklahoma tracks.