NEW RIDING FEE STRUCTURE IN PLACE FROM OCTOBER 1

By Graham Potter | Monday, September 1, 2014

A new jockey’s riding fee structure will be in place in Queensland from October 1.

The new arrangement is a two-part deal … extended over a three season period … which hands jockeys an increase in base payments per ride as well as a superannuation contribution on a sliding scale.

The details of the deal, announced by Racing Queensland, means that from October 1 jockeys will receive $167.50 as a base payment as well as a 9.5% superannuation contribution to take the total return to $183.41 in its first year. The base payment will increase to $170 plus a super contribution of 10% in 2015-16 and then $175 plus 10.5% super in 2016-17.

These riding fees are paid by Racing Queensland on behalf of the owners.

As important as the outcome was for the jockeys, so too did the negotiation process give added value to proceedings.

The Queensland Jockeys Association (QJA), who negotiated the new deal with Queensland Racing, agreed not to press for an increase last year when the all-important new wagering (which was finalised at the end of June) was still in limbo.

The patience shown by the QJA, coming out of a history of racing shooting itself in the foot with ammunition loaded with self-interest, is to be applauded and sets an example of the spirit in which racing stakeholders should go about their business, hopefully leading to an era in which the force of common interest overcomes all other liabilities.