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Alex Evers / Eclipse Sportswire

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the Jockeys’ Guild agreed to a new scale of mount fees for jockeys who ride at New York Racing Associations tracks. The scale will take effect Saturday.

Under the new fee agreement, jockeys will receive a minimum of a $125 losing mount fee for races at all NYRA racetracks as well as a $500 minimum fee in races with purses of $1 million or more. This scale also includes a fourth-place incentive.

“We have come to a three-year agreement with the Jockeys’ Guild on jockey fees at the NYRA tracks, which includes the first increase since 2018,” NYTHA president Tina Marie Bond said. “These riders demonstrate their skill and bravery on a daily basis, and they are indispensable to our sport.”

“We appreciate the efforts and continued commitment to the jockeys by Tina Marie Bond and NYTHA’s Board on behalf of its membership,” Jockeys’ Guild president and CEO Terry Meyocks said. “In addition to the direct benefits for the jockeys who ride at NYRA tracks, we have worked with NYTHA on several important issues including maintaining a safe racing environment. We pledge to work with all parties to provide New York racing fans with the best Thoroughbred racing in the world.”

Under this agreement, both parties are pleased to continue with the overall commitment to the industry, in particular the equine and human athletes. Since the agreement in 2018, NYRA jockeys have donated $1 per mount to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and $1 per mount to NYTHA’s aftercare program, Take the Lead. They have agreed to continue under the new agreement, and NYTHA has agreed to continue to pay the PDJF $20,000 per year.

“It is through the working relationships like the one we have with NYTHA that our industry can flourish,” Meyocks said. “Our hope is that other states and horsemen’s organizations will follow the lead of those like NYTHA, California, Kentucky and New Mexico to increase the losing mount fees for the jockeys.”