The Engineering of an Icon: What The Modern Jockey’s Boot Tells Us About Performance

There are few sports on the planet that have a finer line between winning and losing than horse racing.

The slightest weight swing in a jockey’s favour can ultimately make the difference when it comes down to the finishing line. Therefore, there have been countless developments in the sport in the modern era to give aspiring jockeys the advantage that they require to get the very best out of their performance.

This can often be a key narrative to follow when it comes to assessing the form of a rider before making bets with TwinSpires.com.

But, how have the advancements in boot designs aided the performance levels of professional jockeys throughout history?

Why Are Riding Boots Important?

Small details can make a massive difference in horse racing, meaning that only jockeys who feel comfortable in the saddle can perform to their highest standards.

One of the key ways in which riders can feel comfortable comes in the form of the boots that jockeys wear. A perfect pair of boots can help give jockeys better control and balance while on top of a fast-travelling horse, while also ensuring that they can maintain a firm grip in the stirrups.

This plays a part in the balance that a rider can enjoy, as those that feel secure on top of a horse are more relaxed, and subsequently more likely to make in-race decisions that could positively impact the result of a race.

Do All Jockeys Go For The Same Boots?

Just like every professional sport, there isn’t a one-size fits all style of boot. Just as it is in soccer, some players will prefer lightweight bouts to maximise their speed, while some players will require extra protection if they play in defensive areas of the field.

Jockeys will often have a preferred type of boot, which allow them to feel the most comfortable in the saddle. For example, recently retired world-class rider Frankie Dettori had custom-made boots throughout his career, never changing from the specifications that he first had when he first started riding.

Meanwhile, other leading jockeys such as Ryan Moore will look for different qualities in their riding boots. The Coolmore stable jockey prefers to have extra ankle support in his boots, which enables him to move his feet more freely when in the saddle to get more out of his horse.

All jockeys will have slightly different requirements from their boots, with each finding a style that suits them from an early stage. Comfort is key, especially when you’re looking to compete in the world’s biggest races.

How Have Riding Boots Changed?

There have been many adaptions made to racing boots throughout history, with the current footwear looking vastly different to how they did 20 years ago. Speaking to Horse and Hound, Rachael Beckham revealed that there has been a major shift in styles since the late 1980s.

She revealed that boots were very basic in the 1980s, with slush-moulded boots being very common. However, one of the biggest transformational changes came in the 1990s when zips with introduced. This enabled jockeys to have more comfort, and made it easier for the riders to get their footwear off.

An elastic panel was also introduced at the same time, enabling the riding boots to feel more snug for riders. Feeling secure also ensures feeling safe on top of a horse. Therefore, TPU and TPR became more readily used materials for boots, ensuring that riders could have greater traction and grip while on top of their mount.

Comfort Key to Performance

One of the most important factors that we have mentioned is that all riders look to find comfy racing boots to ensure that they get the best performance levels. That has also been made more easier in the modern day, with the vast majority of options on the market specialising in purpose-focused footwear.

That ensures that winter riders will have warmer boots available, ensuring that the boots are designed to maintain warmth while also being waterproof. Meanwhile, summer boots are often more lightweight, with the materials used enabling feet to breath. However, certain aspects must also be taken into account in order to get the performance levels required.

For example, flat jockeys will often wear lighter boots, as the weight difference could make the difference in the biggest races. Meanwhile, jumps jockeys will often prefer to opt for boots that have greater ankle support to ensure that they have the support required to deal with the stress of jumping obstacles.

Every jockey will ultimately look for something different when deciding on his or her preferred boots. However, the right balance will typically land somewhere between being the most comfortable while also ensuring it gives them an advantage over the field.