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They opt into it but for most of them, a life on the jockey treadmill is a grim experience. No elective holidays, no eating, little drinking, constantly travelling. Lots of failure. Not surprising that some of them look for coping mechanisms. The authorities can provide resources to mitigate the risk, doubt it will be eradicated. Many of them stating that removing saunas from the course has made it even tougher.
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The BHA certainly don't take jockey welfare as seriously as they should but jockeys are mostly grown men and women aged 20 or more so should a "nanny state" have to be supervising them even when they are not working? Should trainers also be banned from having a drink on days when they have a runner? I have never accepted this tale about no holidays. Quite apart from suspension or injury, any established jockey could give notice to his agent and to his regular trainers that he is taking a week off at a quiet stage of the season to recharge the batteries. Bit different with conditionals and apprentices who have to ride when the trainer tells them. Jockeys are often their own worst enemies. It was obvious to many that Harry Cobden was not fully fit after a serious fall mid season but he kept riding and only now admits that he should have taken a longer break.
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Totally agree with you Sageform. This fuss about the jocks is typical of what the country has become. Nobody wanting to take responsibility for themselves.
Yes, some weighing rooms are poor but so are many factories, warehouses etc. And, yes, jock do not HAVE to every day but seem to think they are being forced to. The other thing in a similar vein is stable staff whining about Sunday evening meetings. Many of them are young and would get double bubble for doing a Sunday, yet the bleeding hearts brigade think it is terrible they have to go racing on a Sunday. When I was young, I wanted more and more overtime but today ambition and self progress is a thing of the past. Too many want too much but think that wanting is enough when working is still the best way of fulfilling desires. |
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Working hard should be the way to prosperity The Knight but shoplifting seems much more lucrative these days.
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And too many going to University these days, to get a degree in some arty wishy washy subject, to come out with a large debt... And then get a job they could have started 3 years earlier...
We need more apprenticeships in proper jobs like the building industry, imo |
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It's cultural sageform. They are self employed, the CAN technically take holidays. The implication, the reality, is that almost inevitably they can't. Only the galacticos can pick and choose when and when not to work. But they've all been on the treadmill at some point, aside from the sons of AOB. But even they could not get away with wasting.
We can hold both thoughts at the same time, it's literally a choice, but that choice in most cases leads to a pretty grim day to day existence. And yes, I'm all about personal responsibility, but I'm not completely devoid of empathy. |
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In that case they should have to select 2 weeks a year in which they are not taking rides. It is not reasonable to "expect" them to ride 7 days a week for the whole season. It is worse in GB because of the number of courses and the travelling required. Some trainers seem to rotate rides with Andrew Balding for example giving most rides in the North and Scotland to PJ McDonald although Probert rode Hi Ya Mal at Hamilton. He seems to be retained by the owner.
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Cider, the 2 Harrys seem to largely confine themselves to one yard each but Sean Bowen seems to take anything.
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A compelled holiday would be a logical thing to do. Still can ride out, ride abroad etc, but would be a start.
They could achieve it by having restricted races. Jumps isn't quite the same as there's usually weather intervention at some point, and natural breaks. Less pressure on the scales. But of course, the temptation to ride injured. |
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At least they are no longer pressured into driving at 80mph to ride at 2 meetings a day.
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Trimming the program book as we all know is needed might help to kill two birds with one stone.
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if you are a struggling jokey and have 1 ride at 2.00 leafy and another 1 at 8pm kempton you will have to turn one down and possibly never get on another from the trainer
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£2M for Ghostrider. So much for the pedigree building fillies strategy. Still likes to flex for Ascot. Something really shady about this guy.
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Ghostwriter*
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