Professional Jockeys Association | Horse Racing Free Tips

Concussion Report Published By UK Government

A concussion in sport report was published by the UK Government on Thursday morning and the news was welcomed by the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA).

In March of 2021, an inquiry into the links between sport and long-term brain injury, the implications for youth sport and funding for further scientific research was announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Also under consideration during the four oral evidence sessions that made up the inquiry was the role of national governing bodies and major sporting organisations. The DCMS committee made a number of key recommendations, including the development of a UK-wide minimum standard definition of concussion to be used across all sport. The Health and Safety Executive have been told to work with sports governing bodies to set up a new reporting framework for sports injury by July 2022, with sports required to report any event that might lead to an acquired brain injury within a year of that.

“We very much welcome the DCMS inquiry and the recommendations that have been published in their 'Concussion in Sport' report today,” PJA Chief Executive Paul Struthers told the committee. “Their recommendations to establish a UK-wide minimum standard definition for concussion that all sports must use and adapt for their sport, a UK wide minimum standard protocol for concussion, a national framework for the reporting of sporting injuries and a single research fund that will coordinate and fund research are particularly important.

“We have been fortunate that racing has been ahead of the game in many ways, thanks to the work of the British Horseracing Authority and its predecessors, and especially racing's former Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Michael Turner and his successor Dr. Jerry Hill.

“However, it is vital that we continue to work closely with the BHA and Dr. Hill to ensure racing's protocols, support, education, advice and aftercare continue to be fit for purpose and serve to protect our members as much as possible.

“We also look forward to working with government, Professional Players Federation members and other stakeholders to ensure these recommendations are implemented.”

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Ascot To Fund Jockey Insurance

Ascot Racecourse will fund the Professional Jockeys Association's Career Ending Insurance scheme for a period of one month while the PJA continues discussions with industry stakeholders to establish a sustainable long-term funding solution.

The scheme pays out a capital sum should a jockey suffer a career-ending injury. The scheme was traditionally funded through commercial sponsorship but for the last two years has been paid for out of PJA reserves, assisted for the last six months by a grant from the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

Jon Holmes, chairman of the PJA, said, “Ascot has always gone above and beyond when it comes to our members. This is yet another example of that and we are incredibly grateful to everyone at Ascot Racecourse. I have been in my role at the PJA since December last year and was surprised to discover that this vital insurance scheme was reliant on commercial sponsorship. Our members, the vast majority of whom earn below the national average salary, put their bodies on the line every time they ride and I share Ascot's determination to find an industry-funded solution.”

Guy Henderson, chief executive at Ascot Racecourse, said, “Jockeys of both codes put themselves at risk of serious injury for our entertainment every day. We strongly believe that it is the industry's responsibility to make sure that there is appropriate protection for them in place in the event of career- ending injury. As we approach the end of the 2021 Royal Meeting, I would like to congratulate and thank them all, especially those who had landmark wins, from Frankie Dettori's 75th to the six who've ridden their first. As always, we have had unstinting support from all the jockeys this week in terms of participating in extensive domestic and international media activities and our own press conferences and opening ceremonies.”

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British Racing Bodies Commit to Improving Diversity and Inclusion

Organisations across British racing have united to improve diversity and inclusion across the sport under a unified “Industry Commitment”. The Industry Commitment, which is part of British racing's COVID-19 Recovery Plan for British racing', aims to formalise the sport's approach to diversity and inclusion and builds on the extensive existing activity already taking place, including community engagement, education activity and charitable work. This is highlighted through the Racing Together platform which has already showcased over 80 initiatives.

Organisations that have signed on to the Industry Commitment are: the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Racecourse Association (RCA), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA), National Trainers Federation (NTF), Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), National Association of Racing Staff (NARS) and Great British Racing (GBR). There are five areas that underpin the Industry Commitment and each organisations will former their individual Diversity and Inclusion Action Plans:

Leadership and Accountability–industry leaders ensuring and taking accountability for the creation of a more diverse and inclusive sport
Good Governance–ensuring a better understanding of the racing landscape to influence policy, practice and procedures
Education and Awareness Raising–giving everyone across racing access to learning about diversity and inclusion and why they're important to the sport
Celebrating Racing's Diversity–showcasing the diversity that exists across the racing industry in order to create an inclusive sport where difference is embraced, and everyone is valued
Engaging New Audiences–promoting racing as a sport for all and encouraging diverse communities to take part

Annamarie Phelps, Chair of British Horseracing Authority, said: “This is an important step forward for the sport. We have so much to celebrate in British racing, including men and women being able to compete on a level playing field. Equally, it is the responsibility of all of us in the sport to ensure we can showcase British racing as a modern sport which is truly diverse, inclusive and open to all. Being proactive about improving diversity is essential to the long-term viability of the sport, but first and foremost it is absolutely the right thing to do.”

For more information on the Industry Commitment, please visit www.media.britishhorseracing.com.

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BHA to Support Social Media Boycott

In conjunction with the sporting community, the British Horseracing Authority–as well as the Racecourse Association, Horsemen's Group, The Jockey Club and Professional Jockeys Association–will take part in a social media boycott beginning 9p.m. on Friday through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 3. The action highlights the unchecked social media abuse and racism targeting sporting participants and was initially launched by English football's governing bodies last Saturday, with numerous other sport governing bodies, sponsors, partners, broadcasters and media outlets joining in.

“I am grateful to everyone in the sport who takes part in this boycott to help spread this clear message of solidarity to social media companies and say that enough is enough, and change is needed,” said Julie Harrington, chief executive of the BHA.

All racecourses with meetings this weekend have been informed of the planned support for the boycott, as well as the bodies representing the sport's participants.

The Professional Jockeys Association has co-funded a short film, “The Fall”, which will address social media abuse and its effect on mental health. The film is in post-production and will be released later this year.

PJA Chief Executive Paul Struthers said, “Our members receive vile abuse on a daily basis. We are sick and tired of it and the lack of action by social media companies. We and our members stand shoulder to shoulder with other sports in sending a united message that online hate and discriminatory abuse is totally unacceptable and needs to be eliminated.”

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