HRI Increases Jockey Weights

Horse Racing Ireland will increase the minimum and maximum weights allowed for jockeys under both codes.

From Feb. 1, the minimum weight will be increased three pounds to 8st 7lb for flat races, four pounds to 10st for National Hunt races and three pounds to 10st 7lb for Qualified Rider races. The changes were decided based upon recommendations from a cross-industry Jockeys Supports Working Group set up by the HRI Programmes Committee.

Dr. Jennifer Pugh, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's Senior Medical Officer, said, “I very much welcome these changes to the weight structures which are crucial as we continue to improve the physical and mental health of our jockeys. I look forward to close collaboration with HRI through its equuip division and our other supportive industry partners as we continue to improve our educational and wellbeing supports, to ensure healthy weight making practices become the norm. I wish to thank HRI and the Jockeys Supports Working Group for their time and support in recent months in achieving these changes.”

Jason Morris, HRI director of racing, said, “HRI has taken a number of recent measures which will be of assistance to the health and welfare of jockeys, including the permanent retention of 48-hour declarations, which allows jockeys longer preparation for weights, and the introduction of breaks in the season under both codes. The HRI Programmes Committee accepted the advice received from the Jockeys Supports Working Group to retain the 2lb increase introduced in June 2020 on a permanent basis and to go further in raising the minimum weights under both codes, noting that these measures were supported by the Irish Jockeys Association.”

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Irish-Trained Horses/Jockeys Will Not Compete in UK Due to Travel Ban

Following the news that the Irish Government has banned UK travel, no Irish-trained horses or Irish jockeys will compete in the UK through Dec. 31, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Tuesday. The travel ban will expire on New Year’s Eve. In addition, declarations for UK-trained horses to race in Ireland will not be accepted during that time frame.

“The concern from Government is very clear: these are exceptional times and a travel ban with the UK is a once-in-a-generation occurrence,” said Horse Racing Ireland Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh. “Irish racing has followed Government advice at all times during COVID-19 and will continue to do so. In that regard, we are advising that no Irish-trained horses or jockeys should travel to the UK for competition between now and Dec. 31, and no UK horses or jockeys should travel in the opposite direction.”

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Irish Quarantine Restrictions Eased for Jockeys at Group Level

Jockeys competing in any group or graded race no longer need to self-isolate upon their return to Ireland, the Racing Post reported on Monday. Previously, only jockeys competing at the Grade or Group 1 level were exempt from quarantine. However, jockeys are still required to undergo a trio of COVID-19 tests-prior to traveling and twice once they travel back to Ireland.

“It’s positive news,” said Irish Jockeys Association Secretary Andrew Coonan to Racing Post. “Flat riders travelling abroad will be helped by this but principally at the moment it will impact jumps riders.

“In any event, they have limited opportunities and those opportunities were cut through Covid, so anything that will assist them to help make up some of the deficit is positive and welcomed.”

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Danny Sheehy Tests Positive for COVID

Irish jockey Danny Sheehy is now the third rider to test positive for COVID-19. His brother Mikey tested positive this past weekend. Mikey is a housemate of Shane Crosse, who was positive for the virus on Friday.

“Following precautionary tests taken over the weekend, jockey Danny Sheehy has returned a positive test for COVID-19,” Horse Racing Ireland said in a statement. “He was asymptomatic prior to the test and is now self-isolating. Contact tracing continues.

“All other tests taken over the weekend, including contact tracing and those at the yard of Joseph O’Brien, returned negative.”

Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Senior Medical Officer Dr. Jennifer Pugh added, “We are liaising with public health in assisting them with contact tracing and all of their requirements. Public health are satisfied with all approaches we have taken and we will continue to be in regular communication.”

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