The jockeys' jacket: the silk jersey

The silk jersey is the jacket worn by jockeys during the race allowing the public to recognize them. The jerseys are always very colorful and are decorated with different patterns such as stars, dots or a checkerboard. The first silk jersey was designed in 1812 by a team from Mauritius for the first official horse race in history. Created in England in 1762, they are subject to rigorous control and must comply with the grounds recognized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The making of a jersey can vary from a few days to several weeks depending on the desired pattern. It must be light and comfortable to wear. A large majority are made of silk.