Oklahoma jockeys have mount fee raised

Jockeys who ride in the state of Oklahoma had their base mount fees increased, beginning Sunday, after an agreement between the Oklahoma Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association, the Jockeys' Guild announced on Monday.

The new minimum is $75 per mount, rising up to $105, depending on the purse of the race. The previous minimum was $45. The rule goes into effect at all Oklahoma racetracks, including Remington Park, Fair Meadows, and Will Rogers Downs.

John Beech, the regional manager of the Jockeys' Guild, said that Constantin Rieger, the executive director of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, helped put together a special committee that led to the rule change.

Jockeys Glen Murphy and G.R. Carter were among those representing their brethren.

"We continue to make progress addressing mount fees," said Carter, the vice chairman of the Jockeys' Guild. "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."

The new scale follows increases in mount fees through legislation in California, and through negotiations with tracks in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Florida, Louisiana, Arizona, Indiana, Delaware, West Virginia, Iowa, and Pennsylvania.