Your Route to Real News

I earned £12,000 a year in Britain but can make that in one day with my new job in the US... the money at home is a joke

1502     0
I earned £12,000 a year in Britain but can make that in one day with my new job in the US... the money at home is a joke
I earned £12,000 a year in Britain but can make that in one day with my new job in the US... the money at home is a joke

A JOCKEY who made just £12,000 a year has ditched Britain for America, after her dad labelled the cash in this country 'a joke'.

Brave Grace McEntee, 22, booked a one-way ticket to Kentucky with jockey boyfriend Tyler Heard for a 'better way of life'.

Grace McEntee and boyfriend Tyler Heard have ditched the poor pay in Britain for a better life in America qhiukiuiqkzprw
Grace McEntee and boyfriend Tyler Heard have ditched the poor pay in Britain for a better life in America

And it turns out trainer dad Phil could not be more proud of her - as he blasted the dire level of prize money on offer in the UK.

In an interview with Thoroughbred Daily News, Grace said she earned trainers and owners a very healthy £153,958 from her rides in 2022.

From tongue scraping to saying no, here are 12 health trends to try in 2023From tongue scraping to saying no, here are 12 health trends to try in 2023

But her cut was just eight per cent of that, meaning she took home a paltry £12,316.

Any sponsorship or riding fees could come on top, but still wouldn't amount to a great deal.

No wonder dad Phil took his daughter's defection as the perfect time to blast the sorry state of finances in Britain.

He told the Racing Post: "It's embarrassing when you think Grace has had 73 winners here and her agent worked out her prize-money percentage and said you can earn that at one meeting in America.


"The prize money is an absolute disgrace in this country. It's just a joke."

Grace had never even been to the States on a holiday let alone racing, but packed up her bags and left just a few days ago.

Before she did explained to Sky Sports Racing why she had decided to leave Blighty behind.

She said: "My agent out there is Jose Santos Jr. I told him how many winners I had had here and how much prize money I had earned and he couldn't believe it.

"He said I could earn that on one card out there!

"I've got to make the most of it. I've got family and support there so I'm going to give it a good try."

Spectacular New Year fireworks light up London sky as huge crowds celebrate across UK for first time in three yearsSpectacular New Year fireworks light up London sky as huge crowds celebrate across UK for first time in three years

For comparison, Grace's last winner in England came on Praise Of Shadows for her old man at Southwell on December 29.

Victory was worth £3,726 - while the total purse for Grace's first race at Turfway was £105,000.

Dad Phil's earnings from horses in 2022 totalled £205,706 - while uncle Paul, who she will ride for, made £521,527 from 159 fewer starts in the same year.

Grace's words echo those of Jamie Gormley, who recently said he's quitting racing after making just £30 for ten hours' work.

Even top level riders like Silvestre De Sousa have sacked off Britain for abroad.

He averaged earnings of £2,000 per ride in the UK but now in Hong Kong can pocket £25,000 a go.

FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org


Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chases their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
  • Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
  • Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Sam Morgan

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus