Jockeys hot under the collar after bosses ditch saunas and my 11-2 NAP for Saturday’s big race

8 months ago 74

JOCKEYS believe many of their colleagues are suffering both mentally and physically due to the lack of saunas on courses.

As a result, they have pleaded with the powers that be to reverse the current status quo, but the riders feel their concerns are falling on deaf ears.

Derby-winning jockey Adam Kirby has hit out at the BHA[/caption]

Now, though, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) must surely act following a recent survey on saunas and dehydration — of which I have had exclusive access — amongst members of the Professional Jockeys’ Association (PJA).

As many of you will know, a few years ago saunas were removed because some felt they were detrimental to the health of jockeys.

Now, though, there is evidence that decision has caused an even bigger issue to the life of a rider.

The PJA has done a detailed survey amongst its members with over 60 per cent of its backers, the weighing room, giving their opinion.

That’s a high turnout, possibly a record, showing just how powerful the unrest and level of feeling is brewing inside the weighing room.

The results showed that eight out of ten jockeys need to dehydrate at least once a week. One in five dehydrates daily.

Jockeys tend to do this via hot baths, running, sweat suits and reducing fluid intake.

Use of all these methods has increased significantly since the last survey on this topic in 2021.

Essentially, over a third of jockeys now feel physically and mentally worse than they did before saunas were closed.

And two thirds do not support the removal of saunas.

When considering the stresses of their job, three-quarters of jockeys think the lack of racecourse saunas is a major negative.

One of those hit hardest by the lack of saunas is Adam Kirby, who rather than being at Goodwood was sat on his tractor at home when I caught up with him.

He told me: “No saunas for a jockey is like a tennis player going out to play with no strings on his racket.

“It’s as serious as that. There is no polite way of putting it.

“I don’t know what’s going on. I’m worried.

“The sport has been good to me. But what are we doing? No saunas. No allowance. I can’t see anyone trying to help.

“Jerry Hill — the BHA’s chief medical adviser — is a very, very good doctor. But he needs to stop trying to run racing. Just be there for the jockeys.

“And I know he can do that. There was a time when I phoned Jerry late at night for something to do with my mum. He answered.

“Things like that make him a great man. But now we need him to be great for the jockeys.

“On an average day you have to get the weight off before you get to a track. You ride work at 6.30am and maybe leave a yard at 10am.

“Then you have to get to the races. Where’s the time to get the weight off?

“It’s like the whip rule. There was nothing wrong with it. Now it’s a farce. Jim Crowley’s ban on Hukum at Ascot was an absolute disgrace.”

There appears to be no sign of a rethink from the BHA.

A spokesman told me: “Saunas have not been used on racecourses since before COVID and, in November 2021, the BHA, PJA and RCA agreed they should be removed completely.

“This was on the basis of health and safety, but also to create the space to modernise weighing room facilities and bringing female changing facilities into the modern age.

“All saunas have now been removed or decommissioned.”

Every authority has to think hard about its workforce and do its best.

But from what I’ve heard there is no doubt the life of a jockey will be a lot easier if saunas are allowed back on British racecourse.

The BHA’s stance over saunas has failed. It’s new whip rules and penalties are a shambles.

The time has come to put both right. Please BHA do so.

Support the sport you are here to control. Believe in it. More than ever we need strong leadership.

Saturday tip

ORAZIO (3.35) looks my idea of the Stewards’ Cup winner. He ran a blinder at Royal Ascot when backed off the boards and is off the same mark with conditions he’ll prefer this time.