Likely restoration of bullock cart races brings cheers to jockeys

The state government’s announcement to restore bullock cart races have brought cheers to the faces of hundreds of rural youths of this part of Malwa region, who used to work as carters, cart drivers, gadiwans and ‘chabuks’ (popularly called jockeys) in rural sports.

However, owners of bullocks are finding it difficult to find the best riders. While it is not difficult to find riders for a single race, the ones who participate in heats of fours are rare in the region.

Kala Dhulkot, a prize-winner jockey, said that he had started receiving invitations from bullock owners for starting preparations for forthcoming events during which top-rank bullock cart races would be held soon after President of India’s mandatory approval to the Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act and the Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Bullock Cart Race) Rules, 2025.

“As I have already been associated with my decade-old clients (bullock owners) and received a big name and fame through them, now I can’t think of working for someone else,” said Kala, appreciating that he had won precious awards, including a tractor and a bullet motorcycle during those golden days. Kala said he had started rearing horses after the bullock cart races were banned over a decade ago.

Raja Jandali, another bullock owner of Jandali Khurad village, said some jockeys had approached him for assignment as riders during the forthcoming events to be held in the region. “As bullocks, like any other domesticated animal, are more responsive to either the master or caretaker, we have asked jockeys who had been working with us before ban to resume their earlier role,” said Jandali, while maintaining that no formal commitment had been made regarding wages to be paid for working on a particular day. He said almost all bullock owners pay their jockeys according to their performance in competitions.

Rala Singh of Chhapar village in Ludhiana district said he was yet to find some riders and caretakers for his oxen as people were not certain about restoration of animal sports in the state.

Gurmeet Singh of Jagera was jubilant that his skill as a jockey would be once again valued once the bullock cart races are restored in the region. “As a large number of riders have already taken up alternative jobs after imposition of ban on bullock cart races, we will be in a better position to get paid for our talent,” said Singh, maintaining that experienced bullock riders are anxious to return to their old profession.

He stated that only experts and seasoned riders run bullock carts in the heat category, while amateurs participate in individual races.

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