Remington Park jockeys reach new agreement on mount fees, ending impasse

The Jockeys’ Guild and horsemen at Remington Park in Oklahoma City have formally agreed to a new fee structure that will guarantee at least $100 per mount for the next three years, ending a standoff that led to a widespread boycott by riders.

The two sides confirmed on Thursday morning that the agreement had been reached, and in a statement said that they would jointly submit the proposal to the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission for ratification. As a result of the agreement, jockeys will accept mounts starting with Saturday's card.

The guild was seeking a minimum $105 losing mount fee, in line with the statutory fee for Quarter Horse jockeys in the state, as well as the scuttling of a per-mount fee for dues to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. They settled on the $100 fee, up from $75 under the previous structure, and will continue to pay the HISA fees.

“The united colony was concerned and sympathetic to how this standoff was impacting not only owners, but trainers, jockey agents, exercise riders, grooms, hot walkers, valets, starting gate personnel, and pony people, as well as Remington Park, with whom the Jockeys’ Guild has an excellent relationship,” said a statement from the guild.

While negotiations were ongoing, Remington riders refused to accept mounts for the Thursday and Friday night cards. A small group of riders unaffiliated with the guild ended up accepting mounts on those cards, and both have been heavily impacted by pre-race scratches.

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