Professional Jockeys Association | Horse Racing Free Tips

Struthers To Leave PJA

Paul Struthers will stand down from his role as chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association after 10 years in the position. His resignation comes in the wake of criticism leveled at PJA leadership after the Bryony Frost/Robbie Dunne hearing. Dale Gibson has been appointed interim chief executive.

“Throughout my time at the PJA, I have been extremely fortunate to represent jockeys who I have nothing but complete admiration for,” Struthers said in a statement. “In my dealings with hundreds of jockeys over the years, I have learned a huge amount from them and have tried to treat everyone with sincerity, respect and decency.

“Due to the relentless nature of their lives, jockeys rightly need the PJA to be available at all times and this role is a way of life, not a job. As many in racing will empathise, this has taken a significant toll on my family and personal life, and it is the right time to step aside.

“Representing the courageous, dedicated and resilient men and women who make up our diverse membership has been the greatest privilege of my career. I would like to thank everyone that has supported me in my role and I am incredibly proud of what the PJA has achieved over the last 10 years. This is only possible thanks to a talented, hard-working team who share a passion for the job and an incredibly supportive membership.

“Finally, I am very confident that any recommendations and improved procedures that the PJA and the sport puts in place will serve all our members well and improve their lives. They deserve nothing less.”

PJA Chairman Jon Holmes said, “It is with regret that we have accepted Paul's resignation, but we understand and accept Paul's decision. Paul has given a decade of his life to tirelessly striving to improve the lives of our jockeys. I and the whole team here want to pay tribute to Paul and thank him for everything he has done across a decade of selfless service.”

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‘Promote A Culture Of Respect’: British Racing Stakeholders Form Group To Develop New Code Of Conduct

The major stakeholder bodies of British horseracing have issued a joint statement regarding the conduct of those who work in the sport, and a commitment to take wide-ranging action to offer support and education to industry participants around behaviors. 

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), National Trainers Federation (NTF), Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), National Association of Racing Staff (NARS), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and Racecourse Association (RCA) said:

“British racing is a diverse industry where individuals of varying identities and from a wide range of backgrounds work and compete side-by-side. It is a sport characterized by the shared values of camaraderie and conscientiousness, which come hand-in-hand with working in an elite sport and the risks associated with working alongside our equine athletes.

“It is essential that horseracing remains a progressive, modern industry when it comes to the conduct of our people. We must prioritize the wellbeing and development of our workforce, stand against discrimination of any kind in British racing, and invest in making racing a safe, fulfilling place to work.

“Great progress has already been made by the industry in terms of improving standards around training, education, employment practices, wellbeing, safeguarding and career development, with the entire sport involved in making racing a better place to work.

“However, there is always more that can and must be done. We must encourage a culture of openness and seek to support anyone who faces problems or has found themselves in difficulty. We must promote a culture of respect in how those involved in racing interact with one another and promote more diversity and inclusion at all levels of the industry.

“The signatories to this statement, therefore, today publicly commit to further improve standards, education and training around industry conduct, through the formation of a dedicated cross-industry working party.”

Next Steps

As part of this commitment, initial discussions around which commenced earlier this year, all the signatories have agreed to take part in a working party which will report into the industry People Board and will have the objectives of promoting the positive elements of conduct within the industry, educating our people, deterring poor behaviors and any form of discrimination while empowering our people to call out conduct which falls short of our joint expectations.

The group will be chaired by the BHA and include representatives from the BHA, NTF, NARS, PJA, RCA, ROA, TBA and/or – crucially – the people that they represent.

The working party will, as a priority, develop a specific action plan, which will be underpinned by research into the most effective examples of positive behavior change from other industries.

The formation of this working party and resultant action plan will form an important part of the previously announced project to introduce and embed a new industry Code of Conduct and underpinning regulations, which are being finalized with a view to being introduced in Spring 2022.

The Code of Conduct has been developed alongside all the signatories to this statement, who are also signatories of British racing's Diversity and Inclusion industry commitment.

The working party will have amongst its objectives ensuring that the new Code of Conduct is properly communicated, explained and understood and that it achieves its objectives of raising standards of behavior and conduct within the sport. The working party will also assist in the introduction of the sport's new Safeguarding policy and regulations, which are also close to being finalized.

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Saunas To Be Removed From British Weighing Rooms

Saunas will be removed from all jockeys' quarters in Britain as part of a long-term programme to modernise weighing rooms that has been developed by a cross-industry group of jockeys, racehorses and the British Horseracing Authority. Weighing room saunas have been closed as part of Covid safety measures since the onset of the pandemic, and 88% of jockeys polled support their removal.

Dr. Jerry Hill, BHA chief medical adviser, said, “Saunas have been out of operation throughout the pandemic, which has presented the opportunity for a wider discussion about their long-term future in the context of making weight safely. Acute dehydration, such as that following sauna use, shortly before racing has been shown to reduce performance as it has a negative impact on reaction time and strength. There have been reports of increased falls and by extension injuries in jockeys who have suddenly dehydrated to make weight.

“There are safe and effective methods of maintaining weight healthily through fitness and nutrition and this bespoke support is available to jockeys through the PJA Nutrition Team as well as at the IJF Centres.”

A set of minimum standards drawn up for jockeys' quarters also includes additional private changing and shower facilities; shared communal rest, food provision and warm-up areas for jockeys; communal working space for valets, and flexibility to adapt changing room sizes for demand.

Racecourse Association Chief Executive David Armstrong said, “The RCA welcomes the announcement of the long-term plan to upgrade weighing rooms across Britain's 59 racecourses. This presents a significant milestone and many months of hard work by the PJA, RCA, BHA plus jockey and racecourse representatives.

“The initial stage of meeting all ongoing safeguarding requirements is due to be completed by February, which will include the welcome removal of saunas. The outcome of this project will be the creation of significantly improved weighing and changing room facilities that are in keeping with other elite and professional sports.”

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UK Jockeys One-Meeting Per Day Protocol to Continue Through 2022

The one-meeting per day protocol for jockeys will continue through 2022, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) confirmed on Wednesday.

Initially introduced as part of measures designed to ensure racing's safe return behind closed doors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the protocol has been extended after consultation with jockeys and other stakeholders. The move was approved by the BHA board and applies to jockeys under both codes to ride at only one meeting per day.

Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer of the BHA, said, “Jockeys played a key role in ensuring racing's return in 2020 was a success, adapting to a new way of working in unusual circumstances while still producing at the highest level on the track.

“It is our job to do everything we can to ensure the welfare of our jockeys and it has become clear over the last year that the overwhelming majority of jockeys appreciate no longer competing at multiple meetings per day, and having to contend with the physical and mental pressures this placed upon them.”

Dale Gibson, Executive Director (Racing) of the PJA, said, “Horseracing is incredibly demanding on trainers, jockeys and racing staff, particularly given the size of the fixture list. When you factor in early morning work, extensive mileage, financial uncertainty and the significant physical and mental challenges of being a jockey, it's arguably the most challenging of professional sports for an athlete.

“The PJA conducted a comprehensive jockey welfare survey earlier this year, with almost half the membership responding. The one meeting a day rule was one area we asked members about. The clear message, particularly from Flat jockeys, was that there had been significant benefits to Jockeys from the rule, which for most outweighed any negatives and that the majority, including 72% of Flat jockeys, wanted the rule to remain.

“Based on the survey results, the PJA board had no hesitation in asking the BHA to take this step, and I am sure that the vast majority of the membership will be pleased that it remains in place throughout 2022.”

PJA Joint President PJ McDonald added, “I am very pleased that the one meeting protocol has been extended, and believe strongly that it will benefit the long-term physical and mental health of riders competing today and in the future. This will allow us to achieve a better work-life balance, which is so important whatever your profession.”

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