Jockey resume template
A clean starting structure with example content grounded in what jockeys actually do day to day, not generic filler. Download and replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
Which resume format should you use?
Reverse chronological
You have a steady work history. This is the format almost every recruiter and ATS expects by default.
Functional
You're changing fields or have gaps in your employment. Leads with skills rather than a job-by-job timeline.
Combination
You're early career or have worked consistently but for only a few employers. Blends a skills summary with a shorter chronological history.
This template uses the reverse chronological format: the one most jockeys should default to, since most Australian recruiters and ATS software expect it.
Professional summary
Licensed jockey with a strong record in professional racing, combining tactical race riding with strict fitness and weight management. Skilled at interpreting form guides and video analysis to position horses for success, and committed to animal welfare and safety. Seeking to bring race-day focus and horsemanship to a stable or racing operation.
Key skills
- Animal care and handling
- Race tactics and pace judgement
- Weight management and riding fitness
- Barrier skills and trackwork riding
- Race form guides and video analysis software
- Racing saddle, riding crop, helmet and safety vest
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving under pressure
- Time and deadline management
- Written communication
Experience: example bullet points
- Rode [number] race meetings per season, securing [number] wins and [number] placings through strategic positioning and pace judgement.
- Analysed race form and video replays to identify track biases and opposition tendencies, leading to improved ride plans and better finishing positions.
- Maintained riding weight within [number] kilograms of race weight, using diet and exercise routines under nutritionist guidance.
- Collaborated with trainers to follow instructions on race day, adjusting tactics mid-race based on horse behaviour and track conditions.
- Managed horses in barrier stalls and during trackwork, ensuring calm handling and safe transitions for [number] horses per week.
- Communicated race feedback to trainers and owners, providing written reports on horse performance and condition after each meeting.
Education
Typically completed a Certificate III or IV in Racing (Jockey) through an apprenticeship with a licensed trainer, plus a jockey licence from a state racing authority such as Racing NSW, Racing Victoria or Racing Queensland.
Keywords an ATS is likely to scan for
Applicant tracking systems match your resume against terms in the job ad before a person ever sees it. Only include the ones that actually apply to your experience, but if a term below matches something you've done, use the same wording the job ad uses.
- Racing Australia
- state racing authority
- jockey licence
- apprentice jockey
- barrier trial
- trackwork
- race form
- sectional times
- stewards
- weight allowance
- raceday
- horse welfare
- OH&S
- equine first aid
- Racing NSW
- Racing Victoria
- Racing Queensland
- Australian Jockeys Association
- riding fitness
- weight management
- race tactics
- pace judgement
- horse handling
- safe riding
Getting past ATS screening
- Match the specific skills, certifications and terms used in the job ad, not just your own wording for the same thing.
- Keep formatting simple: no tables, text boxes, columns, headers/footers or graphics. Parsers frequently drop content placed in these.
- Submit as .docx or PDF unless the job ad specifies otherwise.
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) rather than creative alternatives.
- List your core skills and technical competencies in their own section so a keyword scan can find them instantly.
This is a starting point, not a guarantee of interviews. Tailor every bullet point to your own real experience and the specific job ad.