Epidemiology of Injury Due to Race-Day Jockey Falls in Professional Flat and Jump Horse Racing in Ireland, 2011–2015

Abstract

An update on professional flat- and jump-racing fall and injury epidemiology is provided. Further research to identify risk factors for injury, design and investigate the feasibility of injury-prevention strategies, and document their effects on fall and injury incidence is required.

A 9-Year Epidemiologic Study (2007–2015) on Race-Day Jockey Fall and Injury Incidence in Amateur Irish Horse Racing

“…Falls were more common in point-to-point racing, but the number of falls resulting in injury was lower than in professional racing. This is highlighted by data presented previously by our research group 3 showing that in jump racing, 1 fall occurred in every 20 rides, with 20% of these resulting in injury. In contrast, 1 fall occurred in every 250 rides in flat racing, and 35% of the falls resulted in injury.…”

“…For the Poisson regression analysis, the results were considered significant if P , .05, and the incidence rate ratios (IRRs), 95% CI, and absolute percentage change between 2007 and 2015 (% change) are presented. The IRR, 95% CI, and absolute % change were calculated using average fall and injury rates between (1) previous published epidemiology results 2 (1999-2006) in point-to-point racing in Ireland and the current study (2007-2015), (2) professional jump racing incidence (2007-2015) 3 and point-to-point incidence (with point to point being the reference), and (3) professional flat-racing incidence (2011-2015) 3 and point-to-point incidence (reference). For this analysis, an IRR greater or less than 1 indicates an increase or decrease, respectively, in fall and injury incidence rates with respect to the reference variable or time.…”

“…Horse racing is a dangerous sport with a high risk of injury. [2][3][4] Between 1993 and 2006, point-to-point racing had markedly higher fall and injury rates than professional horse racing. 1,2 Since then, no epidemiologic information on race-day jockey fall and injury incidences was available, which limits our understanding of the inherent risks associated with point-to-point racing in Ireland.…”

“…Fall and injury incidences have been examined in professional jockeys, with published data available as recently as 2015. 3 The most recent analysis 2 of point-topoint racing in Europe addressed the 1999-2006 time frame and examined injury and fall data from Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France. Point-to-point racing was reported to have significantly higher rates of falls, injuries, and concussions resulting from rides than either flat or jump racing, yet the injury rate after falls was lowest in point-topoint racing.…”

“…Horse racing is considered a high-risk and dangerous sport. [2][3][4] Previous injury data 1,2 suggested that amateur jockeys had more falls than their professional counterparts, placing them at greater risk of more serious injuries. While advances in health and safety strategies (eg, new helmetsafety standards and concussion protocols) have been made throughout the horse-racing industry in recent years, the incidence of falls and injuries in point-to-point racing since 2006 remains unknown.…”