The Terms of Apprenticeship

A jockey becomes an apprentice once he picks up his fifth win. The apprenticeship ends after a year or after the jockey has won 40 more races, bringing his total to 45. However, in almost all cases, extensions are granted for up to two years for jockeys who have not won 45 races in a year.

Apprentices--also known as “bug boys” because an asterisk is placed next to their names in the racing program--are given a five-pound weight allowance. Trainers will sometimes choose a less-experienced jockey in return for picking up a weight advantage.

The disadvantages of being an apprentice: On some days it’s tough to get more than one or two mounts. It’s always difficult to get mounts on good horses, and you’re a rookie in a sport filled with veterans who have a lot of connections with trainers and owners.