Jockey Boycott Threatens Oklahoma Horse Racing City

A growing pay dispute between jockeys and horse owners has placed the future of scheduled Oklahoma horse racing’s Remington Park in question. While Oklahoma horse racing officials insist that events will move forward, tensions remain high as jockeys demand better compensation for competing in races they do not win.

The conflict centers on what jockeys are paid when they finish outside the top three positions. Currently, jockeys receive what is called a “losing mount fee,” a flat payment from horse owners for their participation. For the past 15 years, that amount has been $75.

According to Terry Meyocks, president of the Jockeys’ Guild, the fee has not been updated in over a decade despite increasing costs. He explained that jockeys do not receive the entire $75. Portions are deducted for insurance coverage in case of injuries, as well as for new federal regulatory fees tied to Oklahoma horse racing oversight.

Meyocks said his group is pushing for the losing mount fee to rise to $100. In addition, the Guild wants to prevent mandatory deductions for regulatory costs from being taken directly out of the fee for independent contractors.

“They haven’t had a pay raise in 15 years,” Meyocks said. “When you factor in the deductions, many riders are left with far less than people realize.”

Horse owners and trainers, represented by the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma City (TRAO), argue that the demands could worsen already tight financial conditions. Joe Lucas, a consultant for TRAO, stressed that owners and trainers also shoulder new regulatory fees while receiving nothing when their horses finish outside the top four.

“Jockeys are not employees. They are independent contractors, just like trainers,” Lucas said. “If a trainer enters a horse and it does not place, there is no fee paid for the effort. Jockeys are already unique in being compensated even when they lose.”

Lucas also pointed out that when horses fail to place, owners absorb significant costs from training, feeding, and care without any payout. “Oklahoma horse racing has never been structured to cover losses,” he said.

The conflict got bigger at the beginning of the week after some jockeys who were supposed to ride at Remington Park announced that they would not ride unless a deal was sealed by Tuesday morning. Since the deadline has passed, the races on Thursday are not quite certain, and the people who support the sport, as well as the officials, are worried.

Meyocks signaled that without progress, jockeys would remain off the track. “It’s not going to happen,” he said of races proceeding under the current conditions.

Despite that, Lucas confirmed that Oklahoma horse racing will continue, even with smaller fields and fewer participants. “We have a responsibility to our members to run races for every horse entered,” he said.

Both sides acknowledge that the situation damages the sport. For jockeys, it threatens fair compensation and professional security. For owners and trainers, it raises operational costs and risks, thinning race participation. For fans, it creates doubt about the quality of competition at Remington Park.

“This is bad for everybody,” Lucas said. “It’s bad for the horse owners. It’s bad for the jockeys. There’s nothing positive about this.”

Meyocks agreed, emphasizing the importance of cooperation. “It does nobody any good,” he said. “We need to work together to grow Oklahoma horse racing.”

Historically, the larger Oklahoma horse racing sector has been mired in money troubles for quite some time, leading to reduced crowds and escalating expenses for the owners, trainers, and riders. Incidents of pay disagreements are only the tip of the iceberg as they illustrate the ongoing battle to find an equilibrium between the fair treatment of the jockeys and the keeping of operations congenial for the horse owners.

It’s still unknown if these two sides will be able to find some common ground. In case the jockeys persist in their strike, the Oklahoma horse racing schedule at Remington Park for the next period might be severely limited, which in turn will lead to fewer races and lower attendance. In addition, such a debate that has lasted for a long time might be an answer not only for this disagreement but also for any other conflict anywhere in the region, thus becoming a precedent.

At this point, the deadlock brings to light the conflict between the old ways and the necessity for new methods in a sport that is highly competitive and expensive. Both parties are in total agreement that the absence of a way out will lead to the end of the racing scene in Oklahoma City, thus causing a very negative impact in the long run.