The External Workload of Thoroughbred Horse Racing Jockeys

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to quantify the external workload of thoroughbred racing jockeys in relation to their experience and racing performance. The number of rides of 786 jockeys and apprentices who rode in 407,948 flat and 13,648 jumps racing starts over 14 seasons were examined. Jockey work (ride numbers, seasons riding) and performance characteristics (race falls or wins) between cohorts with low (1–10), middle (10–200) and high (>200) numbers of rides per season were compared. Flat racing apprentices had more rides per season (25, interquartile range [IQR] 7–97 vs. 14, IQR 3–222, p < 0.001) but fewer rides per race day (2, IQR 1–4 vs. 4, IQR 2–6, p < 0.001) than flat racing jockeys. Flat racing jockeys in the high workload cohort (23%) were responsible for 83% of the race-day rides, riding in a median of 375 (IQR 283–520) races per season. These jockeys had half the fall rate (Incidence rate [IR] 1.0, 95% CI 0.9–1.1) and 1.4 times the success rates per 1000 rides (IR 98, 95% CI 97–99) than jockeys in the low and middle workload cohorts (p < 0.05). Most jockeys had light workloads, greater risk of injury and lower winning rates than the smaller cohort of jockeys with heavier workloads. This disparity in opportunity and success between cohorts indicates inefficiencies within the industry in recruitment and retention of jockeys. These data provide a foundation to further studies investigating jockey competition-specific fitness and its effect on both riding success and reducing injury risk.

Physiological Demands and Muscle Activity of Jockeys in Trial and Race Riding

“…Indeed, using races themselves to acquire fitness implies that those jockeys are inadequately fit for racing, and the jockey would thus not be performing to their best potential at this highest level of competition. Jockeys who ride in races regularly and are assumed to be ‘race fit’ have greater success and lower injury risk (from falling) than the majority of jockeys who struggle to obtain multiple race rides [ 38 ]. Lower fitness has been associated with a higher risk of fall and injury in jockeys [ 39 ], and the suggestion of fatigue in race jockeys could contribute to the higher fall risk seen in jockeys with few race rides.…”

Weight-Making Practices Among Jockeys: An Update and Review of the Emergent Scientific Literature

“…In an analysis of race days in New Zealand over a 14-year study period, Legg et al found that a minority of starting flat race jockeys (23%) performed the majority of race day rides (83%) highlighting an “inefficiency” within the industry and underscoring the need for a training regimen commensurate to race day demand. 40 …”

“…In an analysis of race days in New Zealand over a 14-year study period, Legg et al found that a minority of starting flat race jockeys (23%) performed the majority of race day rides (83%) highlighting an "inefficiency" within the industry and underscoring the need for a training regimen commensurate to race day demand. 40 Researchers have consistently labelled jockeys' weight-making practices as dangerous or harmful. Some investigators have measured the degree of dehydration and the effect of these practices on riders' moods in an effort to quantify deleterious consequence.…”

Wearable technology may assist in reducing jockeys' injuries if integrated into their safety vests: a qualitative study

“…Thoroughbred racing is a popular and major international sport that significantly contributes to the economy of 47 countries around the world ( 22 ). Particularly, jockeys are responsible for controlling both their personal and horses' riding performances, while racing at speeds of even more than 60 Kmh −1 on race days ( 23 , 24 ).…”