jockey

athlete

Also known as: horse racer

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

A jockey is a professional rider or driver of horses, particularly in horse racing. The term can also refer to someone who maneuvers or manipulates something, often for advantage.12

Horse racing has ancient origins, with organized races occurring in Greece and the Roman Empire. In medieval England, horses were ridden by professional riders to showcase their speed to potential buyers. By the mid-18th century, open racing events became more common, with rules developing for horse eligibility and rider qualifications. While riders were identified, their names were not always officially recorded until later in racing history. The skill and judgment of the jockey became increasingly vital as racing evolved into shorter, faster formats.3

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horse racing
Open field racing
…identified riders (in England called jockeys—if professional—from the second half of the 17th century and later in French racing), but their names were not at first officially recorded. Only the names of winning trainers and riders were at first recorded in the Racing Calendar, but by the late 1850s all…
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…identified riders (in England called jockeys—if professional—from the second half of the 17th century and later in French racing), but their names were not at first officially recorded. Only the names of winning trainers and riders were at first recorded in the Racing Calendar, but by the late 1850s all…
Read More