I grew up in a horse crazy part of the world.  Stories abounded of the luxurious accommodation offered to thoroughbred horses.  One well known wealthy polo player was rumored to keep his beloved horses in red cedar paneled stables where they were fed gourmet food and never to be denied anything.

In contrast, I have never heard of a jockey living a life of anything other than deprivation and risk.  Even when they are basking in the thrill of the win, all I can see is exhaustion, emaciation and dehydration. Unfortunately, horse riding accidents are prevalent across the horse riding community.  Add high stakes competition and the speed of a race and the risk taken by jockeys is enormous.

Few industries, even in the arena of professional sport, carry such a high injury rate.  According to the Australian Jockeys Association:-

  • Approximately 200 riders are injured each year on Australian racetracks
  • Combined with track work, there are approximately 500 falls annually.
  • 89% of jockeys will have a fall that requires medical assistance
  • 9% have fallen more than 20 times
  • Each year 40% of jockeys will have a fall that will prevent them from riding for an average of 5 weeks.
  • Approximately 5% of these falls would be termed career-ending injuries.

Despite the substantial amount of money generated by the racing carnivals around the country, little of that money filters through to the jockeys.  The AJA also reports that over 50% of jockeys earn less than $60,000.00 per year before expenses.

In my professional experience, the racing industry offers little support for jockeys who are injured.  The high injury rates would be a warning in any other industry that a high degree of care needs to be taken with race organistion and track maintenance.  It would appear that the industry has become desensitized to risk.  However, not all risks in racing are unavoidable and greater care can and should be taken to ensure that races are run with the wellbeing of the riders front of mind.

It is time that race organisers, track officials and the general public turned their attention to the enormous personal cost paid by the jockeys.  When the nation stops today – spare a thought for them.