The Jockeys’ Guild and the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association have reached an agreement on a new mount fee schedule that will provide an increase in base payment for races run at Colonial Downs. The new scale goes into effect June 2, opening day of Colonial Downs.
The new mount fee schedule calls for a minimum mount fee of $52 ranging up to $105 depending on the purse of the race. Previously, minimum mount fees in Virginia were scaled from $40 to $100. In addition to first, second, and third-place mount fees, fourth place mount fees have been added to the schedule. This is the first mount fee increase since the opening of Colonial Downs in 1997.
“I would like to thank Robin Richards, president of the Virginia HBPA, the board of directors, and especially executive director Frank Petramalo Jr. for working together to reach this agreement,” said Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockeys’ Guild, in a statement. “I would also like to thank the jockeys who ride at Colonial Downs for their understanding and support.”
This new scale follows increases in mount fees through legislation at California tracks and negotiated increases at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, Saratoga, Finger Lakes, Monmouth, Meadowlands, Atlantic City, Hawthorne, Arlington Park, Fairmount Park, Gulfstream Park, Hialeah, Calder, Tampa Bay Downs, Fair Grounds, Louisiana Downs, Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Emerald Downs, Turf Paradise, Yavapai Downs, Indiana Downs, Hoosier Park, Delaware Park, Charles Town, Mountaineer, Prairie Meadows, Canterbury, Oaklawn, Fair Meadows at Tulsa, Remington Park, Will Rogers Downs, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Turfway Park, Ellis Park, Sunland Park, SunRay Park, Zia Park, The Downs at Albuquerque, Ruidoso Downs, Portland Meadows, and Arapahoe.
Jockeys at Philadelphia Park, Penn National, and Presque Isle have also received raises in their losing mount fees. Negotiations are ongoing in other racing jurisdictions.