Does the jockey pick which horse he wants to ride?

[furlong86]

Sorry if this seems like a stupid question but how does a jockey end up riding a certain horse. Does the trainer book the jockey or does the jockey get to pick themselves?

[Tedthewolf]

Re: Does the jockey pick which horse he wants to ride? Thats a very good question. Are you talking in general or in better races? My thoughts are if he's the top jockey at a yard he would have the pick over others and gets the best rides but if he wants to ride for another trainer, he or the trainer has to get his permission if he signed up to the other trainer if that trainer has a horse in the race. Hope that makes sense! Freelance jockey's get there agents to try and book trainers horses & the other way around trainer ask agents can there jock ride for them. Well that what i thought i could be wrong.