Following completion of the permanent rule making process of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, jockeys in Oklahoma received an increase in base mount fees beginning July 11, the date the new jockey fee schedule rule went into effect. Jockeys previously reached agreements with the Oklahoma HBPA and the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association.
The new mount fee schedule calls for a minimum mount fee of $75 ranging up to $105, depending on the purse of the race. Previously, mount fees in Oklahoma were scaled from $45 to $105. The new rule increases the riders mount fee scale for all races at Oklahoma racetracks including all races at Remington Park, Fair Meadows, and Will Rogers Downs.
“I appreciate the help of Constantin Rieger (executive director of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission) and the Commission for putting together a special committee to help us reach the agreement that led to this rule change,” said John Beech, regional manager for the Jockeys’ Guild, in a statement. “I would also like to thank Justin Cassity (executive director of the Oklahoma HBPA), Debbie Schauf (executive director of the OQHRA), their boards, the ad hoc committee established by the Commission and its chairperson Cassie Barkett as well as the jockeys, particularly Glen Murphy and G.R. Carter, for their hard work in reaching the agreement.
“As we worked together to attain this goal, we look forward to working with the OKHBPA and the OQHRA for the betterment of racing in the state.”
“We continue to make progress addressing mount fees,” said G.R. Carter, vice-chairman of the Jockeys’ Guild, in a release. “We appreciate the cooperation of all involved in the states which have agreed to adjustments to the scale for base mount fees and will continue to work with the appropriate groups in the remaining jurisdictions to reach fair agreements going forward.”
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, Fairmount Park, Gulfstream Park, Calder, Tampa Bay Downs, Fair Grounds, Louisiana Downs, Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Turf Paradise, Yavapai Downs, Indiana Downs, Hoosier Park, Delaware Park, Charles Town, Mountaineer and Prairie Meadows. Jockeys at Philadelphia Park and Penn National have also received raises in their losing mount fees. Negotiations are ongoing in other racing jurisdictions.