Jockeys riding in Britain will receive a general weight increase of two pounds for most races. The change is permanent and replaces the three-pound Covid allowance that was instituted at the start of the pandemic when weighing-room saunas were closed; therefore, the minimum weight will be one-pound less than what it has been throughout the pandemic. Saunas have since been permanently closed.
The minimum weight for flat races has been raised to 8st 2lbs, while the new minimum jump weight is 10st 2lbs. These changes come into effect for flat racing on Mar. 26, and on Apr. 29 for jumps racing. Maximum weights will also increase in line with these changes: the top weight for flat riders will be 10st 2lbs, and 12st for jumps.
Horse Racing Ireland announced in December that Irish jockeys' minimum weights would also be increased, by three pounds for flat riders (8st 7lbs) and by four pounds (10st 7 lbs) for jump jockeys.
Dr. Jerry Hill, chief medical advisor of the BHA, said, “The closure of saunas on our racecourses represents a significant step forward for jockey wellbeing and a permanent raising of the minimum weight, while protecting competitiveness by raising the maximum weight, is the correct response to that development. I am grateful for the input received from the industry's participants, and in particular the clear message sent by jockeys regarding their support to see the use of saunas on racedays come to an end. Our jockeys are athletes who should be primed to perform to the best of their ability like any other. Shedding pounds by dehydrating in a sauna minutes before being given the leg-up onto a horse is not the best way to ensure that is the case.”
Jockey Richard Kingscote spoke about the changes on At The Races on Tuesday, and he said, “I don't want to speak for all jockeys, but collectively everyone's not very happy. We were given a questionnaire vote, which everyone responded too and said we're happy to remove the saunas if keep our allowance. The saunas have already been ripped out, and we're not keeping our allowance. The two pounds might help on a maiden, but it's not going to help in handicaps. For many of us we're back to square one, so I think people feel as if they're giving with one hand and taking away with the other. It's a bit frustrating that we were kept in the dark. No one in there heard anything about it until today, so I think everyone's a little bit miffed.”
Dale Gibson, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Jockeys Association, said, “The PJA has been working with the BHA and NTF to agree the revised weight structure, which has required compromise from all parties. Some jockeys are concerned that their body weight has naturally increased during the lengthy COVID period where the 3lb allowances was utilised, however we will continue to monitor the forthcoming weight structure closely, including specific race conditions alongside stakeholders and the Racing Department team.
“We welcome the reintroduction of the winter weight allowance for flat jockeys, which was successfully introduced in 2013. The PJA continues to provide weight management support to all professional jockeys, which remains readily accessible via the nutrition team, in conjunction with exercise programs available at the IJF centres.”
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