To be a horse jockey you must meet certain requirements. Arguably, the biggest requirement is how much you can weigh.
What do horse jockeys weigh?
Generally, most every race and track guideline set a jockey weight limit of 112 to 126 pounds (51 to 57 kg).
This number also includes their clothing and riding equipment, which is right around 7 to 9 pounds (3 to 4 kg).
So effectively, a jockey will weigh only 105 to 118 pounds (47 to 53 kg). That’s not a lot of weight!
Although there doesn’t exist a height limit, most jockeys are smaller in size in order for them to be able to meet the weight limits.
On average, a jockey will stand 4 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall.
How Much Do The Kentucky Derby Jockeys Weigh?
The world-famous Kentucky Derby is horse racing’s super bowl so to speak. It’s a huge event that attracts people from around the world.
What are the weight limits for this big race?
A rider is not allowed to weigh more than 126 pounds (57.15 kg), which includes all clothing and equipment.
How Much Weight Do Jockeys Lose After A Race?
Most jockeys will lose 3-7 pounds of weight in a day after racing.
There are also some horse jockeys who can lose upwards of 10 pounds after a day on the track.
~ Fun Fact ~
Giovanni Porte is known to be the lightest horse jockey on record. He weighed just 88 pounds (40 kg).
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jockey
https://careertrend.com/facts-7609953-jockey-height-weight-limits.html
https://www.bustle.com/p/how-much-do-the-kentucky-derby-jockeys-weigh-56182