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INTERVIEW WITH SHANE SELLARS, PROFESSIONAL JOCKEY
HBO: Talk about how you started being a jockey.
Shane: I was always fascinated with horses but never had real acccess to them, to work with them and learn about them. My dad soon found this gentleman who worked with horses and he agreed to teach me. I soon started spending summers at this gentleman's house working the field, doing chores and then in the afternoons, he'd put me on the pony and teach me how to balance, hold the reins, all the basics and more. At 11, I rode my first race on the non-paramutuel track because you have to be 16 to ride in paramutuel/betting races. That's how I started. Although, I played baseball and football as a kid and I loved those too, my dad told me I had to choose one. I gave up the other two and concentrated on being a jockey. When I turned 16 I got my license to become professional and never turned back. It's been wonderful, it's been tough, and I've made a great living doing it.
HBO: What do you enjoy the most about being a jockey?
Shane: Oh man, I love riding horses in the races. I also like knowing that I can go out there everyday with an opportunity to win and then when I do win..oh man, it's a great feeling!I've just come off two years of injury and promised myself I wouldn't come back unless I could ride good horses in great races. I went through such tough times to get in shape to come back to what I love. Even though I ride races in pain, I know I can come back and win big races..and I will. Although I might not be able to walk when I get older, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. In the meantime, I'll ride racehorses.
HBO: It seems that many aren't aware of these sacrifices that jockey's make to work in this industry.
Shane: That's the whole thing. The public isn't aware of the situation. All they see is that we get on the horse and ride and get paid an awful lot of money and how glamorous that can be. The truth is much different. In one race there's 20 riders, 17 of us will ride and make about $56 Of course the winner will get paid good, like $60,000 and second place will get another good chunk. But the rest of the riders are gonna get about $56. Now the jockeys coming from out of town have to pay their own way (transportation, etc.) so they come to the race in the red to begin with. Then you hope and pray you don't fall or have a catastrophic ending. What if the horse stumbles and the jockey falls? The track will pay up to $100,000 but if your bills are more, you're responsible. Since many of the jockey's don't have insurance because they can't afford it, they're left with no choice but to take these chances just to earn a living.
HBO: Do you think the film could help change some attitudes?
Shane: I hope so. Now certain states are starting to let jockeys wear their company sponsor patches on their uniforms. However, the biggest race in the country, will not let us wear them. This is a chance for jockeys to make some extra cash and yet they are told they can't. Even if the jockeys wear the patches, they get fined or blackballed. It's this kind of attitude and policies that need changing. So yes, I think the film could help.
HBO: Are there any changes underway?
Shane: Actually, yes there are some. One of which is the weight limitations. Now, the standard is jockeys must have less than 2% body fat and as you can see in the film, the jockeys go through all kinds of dangerous things to meet that weight. But now, because doctors are reporting on the damages to our bodies of having less than 5% body fat, some states are reviewing their weight limitations. It's a start but there's more to be done. Remember, jockeys start in this profession at 16 a time when our bodies are still changing and growing. Although your body's changing, you're still expected to maintain this regulation weight. Furthermore, most of us come from poor families and the jockeys are the only source of a decent income. It forces you to make choices that shouldn't have to be that way.
HBO: Talk a little about the fundraiser for the jockey Randy Romero.
Shane: Randy is a jockey who gave his life to racing and is now faced with life-threatening injuries from an accident during a race and he has no insurance coverage. We raised $65,000 on my concert and $200k with the auction. This was good but Randy's still fighting for his life because his injuries from his accident during a race require constant and long-term care. We stay in touch with him and do what we can. We're also doing what we can to help other jockeys which is why the Jockeys Guild was started. We believe in taking care of all the jockeys..the big names and the little names. We have health insurance with fees based on what they can pay. The truth is, if it wasn't for the Jockeys Guild we wouldn't have insurance. We shouldn't have to worry about that when you're working in a successful business but until other changes are made, we'll keep fighting.
HBO: In the film, there's young jockey, Chris Rosier that you've mentored. How is he doing? Are you concerned about him given all these pressures of the industry?
Shane: Well, I always worried about him because he was in the same predicament as I was. I tried to help but I would watch him almost kill himself to become a successful jockey and right now, I don't even know if he's riding. It just didn't pan out for him. It doesn't work for everyone. There's 20 licensed jockeys but all you hear about are the top ten and he wasn't able to even move up from the minors. I know he's not doing good and his health is not well, because he's been riding with less than 5% body fat and such. I hope he's okay but I'm not so sure.
HBO: Give us the latest on your singing career.
Shane: Well, you know it's a hobby for me. The song, "Matthew, Mark, Luke and Earnhardt" was written by Dennis Knudsen. Radio picked up on it and started playing it. I'm not a big racing fan but I always admired Dale Earnhardt for the man he was which is also like me -- pull no punches, be honest and stand up tall for what I believe in. The song's been a tool for fund raising for Randy so that's good. As for a singing career..I'm not too sure (laughs). My label Lofton Creek Records wants to put another album out. I'd be okay with it if they let me write my own material and work with some songs that have hit potential the radio would play. Although I financed the first album and the company just marketed the album, the songs were a bit older and not quite the material I'd do the best with. However, I'm proud of it and would love to do another under the right circumstances.
What would you like for viewers to take away from this film?
Shane: I would hope they appreciate the sacrifice we make and dedication we have to make horseracing successful. We are professional athletes, dedicated and disciplined and it's time for the industry to recognize that. I hope the film opens doors for a lot of riders. If it saves just one rider from a terrible existence but at the same time, costs me my career, then this film and work was all worth it.
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