I hope you will not mind, if we begin our time together with an entry from the Racetrack Glossary:
Hang Me On--A horse who is capable of winning today's contest no matter who is in the irons.
Translation: You could put ME on this type of horse and he would probably win anyway, as long as I don't fall off. Hang me on, brother.
Now, remember this little definition. Take notes. There will be a test later.
Today, I want to talk to you about the three types of jockeys you will encounter in horseracing. This is fundamental stuff for any agent, and it all boils down to knowing what you have.
Type A Jockey--These guys are the cream of the crop; the best of the best. They are legitimately more talented than their competitors, make better decisions, and can intimidate lesser jocks by their mere presence on the track. Think about this. How many wide receivers in the NFL dropped a pass simply because they knew Ronnie Lott was going to hit them if they caught it? It's the same in racing. To win against a Type A Jockey requires more than the best horse. You will have to outride him. This group accounts for about 5% of all jockeys.
Type B Jockey--The blue-collar men and women of the profession make up the largest group, about 90%. It's very important to know that these jockeys are very comparable in talent. Most have ridden for a very long time, suffered and rebounded from injury, and toiled day in and day out in a sport that doesn't get a lot of mainstream media attention. The winning percentages of these jockeys can range anywhere from 5%-15%. They show up, do their job and visit the Winner's Circle regularly.
Type C Jockey--In contrast to the A jockeys, these guys just don't have as much natural talent as the average jock. They will consistently win less than 5% of their races. In this category, you can even find an owner or trainer who decides to make weight and ride his own horse, or an old jockey who comes out of retirement to ride one horse. Don't laugh. In 2006, former jockey Susan Guillory (never better than a Type C in her brief career) returned to Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana for a special one night engagement. The horse Susan rode, which she also owned and trained, won by multiple lengths at long odds.
As a jockey agent you will most likely rep riders in the middle spot, the Type B's. Here's where the test comes in. Why do some riders in the Type B category win 15% and some only 5%? It is because they are divided by the quality of the horses they ride, and that is due to the effectiveness of their agents. Smart agents are great handicappers, and they have made every effort to put their riders on as many "hang me ons" as possible. These agents work harder and longer and smarter than others. As a result, their riders appear to be "getting hot" and get better horses to ride.
If you get lucky and land a Type A Jockey (Robbie Albarado, Kent Desormeaux, Edgar Prado), good for you. You have little need of the insights I can provide, but do be kind enough to wave to me from your luxury box in the clubhouse while I toil away in the paddock.
When you first begin your career as a jockey agent, it's likely you will be starting with a Type C. Somehow you will have to find a way to win in order to attract better clients. You will have to beg and plead for good horses and pray you get lucky. If you can improve your rider by even 2 or 3 percent, you will garner attention. Stick with it and don't be afraid to ride some real longshots. They win sometimes.
Just ask Susan Guillory.
Scotty Rushing is a Certified Jockey Agent who has represented numerous riders including David Elston, Rico Flores, Amanda Crandall, and Beverly Burress. He currently represents Nick Vandevoorde.
