Dale Gibson issues warning about jockeys’ welfare

The warning came after the British Horseracing Authority published its programme for May to December.

It means 1,486 meetings throughout 2021 – five down on last year – after the Horserace Betting Levy Board promised ongoing financial support to take account of the absence of crowds during the Covid pandemic.

Jockeys will continue to be restricted to one meeting a day, say the BHA, until lockdown restrictions are lifted.

But North Yorkshire-based Dale Gibson, the Professional Jockeys Association’s executive director, has fears for the future.

“Whilst we need to be mindful of recovering from the financial impacts of the Covid-19 crisis, much more needs to be done to ease the significant pressures on the workforce,” said the former rider.

“Due to the Covid-related changes to the fixture list this summer, Flat Jockeys, valets and other racing staff will see 167 days of racing with only three guaranteed days off between April 19 and October 2: two Sundays in May and one in July.

“Participants in racing are not afraid of long days and hard work, but that is a tough gig in anyone’s book.

“It is no wonder that jockeys suffer burnout at twice the rate of athletes in other professional sports and that more than 25 per cent per cent of PJA members accessed some form of one-to-one mental health support in 2020.”

He added: “2022 needs to see a combination of extended breaks and more single code Sundays. The sport needs to pay more than lip service to participant welfare.”

Brian Ellison’s Sam’s Adventure carries Yorkshire hopes in today’s marathon Vertem Eider Chase at 
Newcastle.

He will be ridden by Middleham jockey Henry Brooke who has just returned to the saddle following his second career-threatening fall.

Sam’s Adventure came to the fore when winning Haydock’s Tommy Whittle Chase in December.

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