Keep the 3lb allowance to support UK Jockey’s welfare
The Issue
Advocating on behalf of the majority of UK jockeys.
Throughout COVID-19 the BHA introduced a 3lb weight allowance for jockeys due to sauna facilities being inaccessible on race days. 72% of jockeys (reported in a vote conducted by the BHA/PJA) claimed that overall their mental and physical health had improved, and voted to keep these conditions ongoing. As elite athletes competing 6-7 days a week for 10+ months of the year, an allowance like this was invaluable to their work-life balance which is already off scale. What was the point in jockeys voting to keep the weight allowance, if their opinion isn’t going to be honoured?
The BHA are considering continuing the ban of sauna facilities, however taking away the 3lb allowance. It is unacceptable to expect jockeys to lose this extra 3lbs without these facilities, and further completely inconsiderate of the impact this will have on their mental welfare. The below points need to be considered and addressed:
- Time. Jockeys often need to leave home up to 3 hours before a ride, and can be 2 hours delayed due to traffic. Because of this, they would need to be the correct weight over 5 hours before they get to the race so they are not counting on dropping the last lbs right before.
- Welfare. In a new world which is shaken by the pandemic, people have had to make adjustments to live a safe and healthy lifestyle. Yes, jockeys used to be capable of keeping this extra 3lbs off… but did anyone check on their mental welfare? They have been checked on now (by a BHA survey), and they are saying KEEP the 3lbs allowance because they have never been fitter, healthier, or happier athletes.
- Physical health. Not having saunas as a quick resource to drop past lbs is a big tick for physical health. However, not keeping the 3lb allowance means jockeys will resort to desperate measures such as starving and flipping for quick weight loss. Is the BHA condoning this?
- No facilities. Even if there were alternate facilities at the racecourse such as gyms or warm up rooms, how could jockeys have the energy to lose weight and race ride within the same hour? Keeping in mind they have little to no food or water for hours before racing as it is.
Come on BHA, make the right call and keep the ones who ARE the industry happy. 3lbs doesn’t seem like a lot, but to us it makes a HUGE difference.
The Issue
Advocating on behalf of the majority of UK jockeys.
Throughout COVID-19 the BHA introduced a 3lb weight allowance for jockeys due to sauna facilities being inaccessible on race days. 72% of jockeys (reported in a vote conducted by the BHA/PJA) claimed that overall their mental and physical health had improved, and voted to keep these conditions ongoing. As elite athletes competing 6-7 days a week for 10+ months of the year, an allowance like this was invaluable to their work-life balance which is already off scale. What was the point in jockeys voting to keep the weight allowance, if their opinion isn’t going to be honoured?
The BHA are considering continuing the ban of sauna facilities, however taking away the 3lb allowance. It is unacceptable to expect jockeys to lose this extra 3lbs without these facilities, and further completely inconsiderate of the impact this will have on their mental welfare. The below points need to be considered and addressed:
- Time. Jockeys often need to leave home up to 3 hours before a ride, and can be 2 hours delayed due to traffic. Because of this, they would need to be the correct weight over 5 hours before they get to the race so they are not counting on dropping the last lbs right before.
- Welfare. In a new world which is shaken by the pandemic, people have had to make adjustments to live a safe and healthy lifestyle. Yes, jockeys used to be capable of keeping this extra 3lbs off… but did anyone check on their mental welfare? They have been checked on now (by a BHA survey), and they are saying KEEP the 3lbs allowance because they have never been fitter, healthier, or happier athletes.
- Physical health. Not having saunas as a quick resource to drop past lbs is a big tick for physical health. However, not keeping the 3lb allowance means jockeys will resort to desperate measures such as starving and flipping for quick weight loss. Is the BHA condoning this?
- No facilities. Even if there were alternate facilities at the racecourse such as gyms or warm up rooms, how could jockeys have the energy to lose weight and race ride within the same hour? Keeping in mind they have little to no food or water for hours before racing as it is.
Come on BHA, make the right call and keep the ones who ARE the industry happy. 3lbs doesn’t seem like a lot, but to us it makes a HUGE difference.
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Petition created on 25 January 2022