The relationship between jockeys and horses is a dynamic and complex aspect of equine sports, involving both human and animal athletes. Jockeys are professional riders who guide horses in competitive racing events, requiring a deep understanding of equine behavior, physiology, and racing strategy. The interaction between jockeys and horses is critical for performance, as it involves communication, trust, and precise coordination. Various factors such as weight management, riding techniques, and safety protocols are integral to this partnership. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the biomechanics of jockey riding, the impact of jockey weight on horse performance, and the psychological and physiological interactions between jockeys and horses in the context of competitive racing.
Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Proudman CJ, Morgan KL, French NR.Falls during racing present a risk of injury to both horse and jockey and a risk of fatality to horses. Objective: To use video recordings of races to describe the circumstances surrounding horse falls at hurdle and steeplechase fences and to identify and quantify within-race risk factors for horse falls in National Hunt racing in the UK. Methods: A retrospective, matched, nested case-control study using video recordings of races was conducted on 6 UK racecourses. Cases and controls were matched on both race type and jump number at which the fall occurred. Conditional logistic regression analy...
McCrory P, Turner M, Murray J.The case is reported of a retired professional jockey with progressive memory loss. The concern is that he may be suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy or the "punch drunk syndrome".
Weideman H, Schoeman SJ, Jordaan GF, Kidd M.This study investigated if environmental factors had an effect on the incidence of epistaxis related to exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) among racehorses in southern Africa. Data covering the period 1986-2001 and involving 778 532 race runs were analysed. This included the following information: date of race, age, sex, name of breeder, trainer, distance, jockey, state of going, weight carried, racing centre and altitude. Veterinarians employed by the Jockey Club suspended officially entered horses that presented with epistaxis (frank bleeding from the nostrils) after racing. On-co...
Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Proudman CJ, Morgan KL, French NP.Between March 1, 2000 and August 31, 2001, a case-control study was conducted on 12 racecourses in England and Wales to identify and quantify the risk factors associated with horse falls in hurdle races. The cases and controls were defined so that variables relating to the horse, the jockey, the race and racecourse, and the jump could be considered. The cases were defined as a jumping effort at a hurdle flight that resulted in a fall, and the controls were defined as a successful jump over a hurdle at any of the 12 racecourses within 14 days before or after the case fall. Conditional logistic ...
Turner M, McCrory P, Halley W.Professional horse racing is an exciting and demanding sport with high injury rates. Surprisingly few epidemiological studies have been published and no prospective studies have been reported. This paper reviews the literature and provides a detailed breakdown of injuries in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland for 1992-2000. The introduction of protective equipment is discussed and evidence for its effectiveness put forward.
Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Proudman CJ, Morgan KL, Wood JL, French NP.We identified risk factors associated with falling during steeplechase racing. We used retrospective data from all steeplechase runs on UK racecourses during 1999: 10,866 starts with 647 horse falls. The relationship between continuous variables and falling was assessed using generalised additive models (GAMs). Polynomial fits then were included in a multilevel, multivariable logistic-regression model. The number of runners had a linear, positive association with the risk of falling. The distance of the race had a non-linear relationship with the risk of falling; the risk steadily increased in...
Moore JM, Timperio AF, Crawford DA, Burns CM, Cameron-Smith D.Jockeys are required to maintain very low body weight and precise weight control during competition. This study examined the weight loss and weight management strategies of professional horseracing jockeys in the state of Victoria, Australia. An anonymous, self-completed questionnaire was administered (55% response rate, n = 116). Almost half (43%) reported that maintaining riding weight was difficult or very difficult, with 75% routinely skipping meals. In preparation for racing, 60% reported that they typically required additional weight loss, with 81% restricting food intake in the 24 hours...
Waller AE, Daniels JL, Weaver NL, Robinson P.In the sport of horse racing, the position of the jockey and speed of the horse predispose the jockey to risk of injury. Objective: To estimate rates of medically treated injuries among professional jockeys and identify patterns of injury events. Methods: Cross-sectional survey from data compiled by an insurance broker. Information on the cause of injury, location on the track, and body part injured was evaluated. Methods: Official races at US professional racing facilities (n = 114) from January 1, 1993, through December 31, 1996. Methods: A licensed jockey population of approximately 2700 pe...
Pick M.After a brief introduction to the most important aspects of the current sport of horse-racing the equipment and tack will be described with respect to the horses wellbeing: bridles, tonguestrap, blinkers, saddle and girth. With reference to incorrect equipment for the rider, the wip and its misuse will be discussed. Problems with saddling and at the starting gate are often indicators of the incorrect application of aids. Then the misuse of the automatic horse trainer, treadmills and swimmingpools will be explained. Finally, the three most important requirements for improving the protection of ...
Clayton HM.Six event horses jumped a 1.10 m high table fence 4 times under each of 2 conditions; the rider weight condition involved carrying the weight of the rider and saddle (61 kg), whereas the added weight condition included an additional 18 kg weight cloth. Sagittal view, 60 Hz video recordings were analysed using standard methods. Comparisons between the rider weight and added weight conditions using paired t tests (P<0.05) showed a number of significant differences. In the added weight condition the leading forelimb landed closer to the fence, and there were increases in the maximal extension ...
Middleton SB, Foley SJ, Foy MA.National Hunt jockeys suffer a disproportionate number of clavicular fractures and their return to riding may be considerably delayed by refracture and symptomatic nonunion, with obvious implications. We report six such cases in which excision of the clavicular fragment distal to the fracture was associated with an early return to work and no recurrent injury to the shoulder.
Fletcher J, Davies PT, Lewis T, Campbell MJ.Jockeys accept bony fractures and soft tissue injuries as occupational hazards. An average National Hunt jockey falls once in ten races with an injury rate of 4.25%. Head injury is a common cause of morbidity and the benefit of helmets is well recognized. Neck injuries are also common and usually musculoskeletal. Although rare, trauma to the neck arteries may go unnoticed yet have catastrophic consequences. Internal tears can allow arterial blood to dissect the layers of the arterial wall and obstruct the lumen. Severe obstruction may lead to cerebral ischaemia and infarction. An appreciation ...
Oki H, Willham RL, Sasaki Y.The Japan Racing Association (JRA) operates 10 national racecourses with both turf and dirt tracks. JRA formulates the rules for horseracing; registers owners, colors, and horses using foal registration; and licenses all JRA trainers and jockeys. In 1990, at the 10 racecourses there were 288 racing days, 3,353 races, and some 38,397 horses. Horse breeding is concentrated in 7 locations with 93% of the Thoroughbreds foaled each year coming from Hokkaido. Thoroughbred flat racing comprise 92% of all races held. Two year olds race together and nearly 40% of their races are run at 1200 m. Some 39%...
Mills NJ, Whitlock MD.Cases of head injury are reviewed in which riders wearing jockey skull caps have suffered impacts to the front, back or side of their helmets. The design and constructional materials of such helmets are assessed. Impact tests that simulate the accidents confirm the low energy absorption potential of some helmets for lateral impacts. Most pedal or motorcycle helmet designs afford better lateral impact protection.
Whitlock MR, Whitlock J, Johnston B.A retrospective study of horse riding injuries in Berkshire was undertaken over a one year period from November 1983. The information was obtained from the Ambulance Service, the Jockey Club and the St. John Ambulance Brigade. There was a total of 103 injured persons with no deaths. Information from the Jockey Club was compared with the other two groups, the former sustaining more limb injuries and the latter more head injuries. A questionnaire was sent to all 42 ambulance patients. Thirty-eight had radiographs taken, 16 of which showed a fracture. Forty-one were wearing some form of hard hat,...
Moss M S..A review of positive Jockey Club "dope tests" during the 12 years from 1970 to 1981 inclusive is presented and a comparison made with certain overseas racing authorities for varying periods between 1975 and 1981. Urinary pH of post race urine samples is predominantly acidic (although varying in a significant manner throughout the year) and thus favours excretion of the generally more potent basic drugs. The proportion of positive results was about the same in winners and non-winners, ie, one in 400 horses sampled. Drugs found fell mainly into four categories: methylxanthines; non-steroidal ant...
d'Abreu F.This research article discusses brain injuries in jockeys, particularly in horse racing. The author recounts the preventive measures taken by the Jockey Club and the Betting Levy Board to protect […]
STORMONT C, SUZUKI Y.WHEN a registered Thoroughbred mare in the United States is bred to two registered Thoroughbred stallions, the resulting foal can be registered only as the offspring of both stallions. This method of double registry has obvious disadvantages when it comes to keeping records of pedigrees. The Jockey Club, which is the registry organization for Thoroughbred horses in the United States, would like to keep the number of double-registered horses at a minimum. In that connection certain tests have now been developed in our laboratory which will permit exclusion of one of the two stallions in abou...
Pick M.After a brief introduction to the most important aspects of the current sport of horse-racing the equipment and tack will be described with respect to the horses wellbeing: bridles, tonguestrap, blinkers, saddle and girth. With reference to incorrect equipment for the rider, the wip and its misuse will be discussed. Problems with saddling and at the starting gate are often indicators of the incorrect application of aids. Then the misuse of the automatic horse trainer, treadmills and swimmingpools will be explained. Finally, the three most important requirements for improving the protection of ...
French jockeys suffer more severe injuries when they fall off their horses than their British counterparts. While it has been shown that jockeys suffer high rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries, little is known about differences in injury rates between countries. To investigate this, researchers from Australia, France and the UK used prospectively collected data on the rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries in flat and jump jockeys in France and compared them with data from the UK.
Schweizer C, Ramseyer A, Gerber V, Christen G, Burger D, Wohlfender FD.Racetrack injuries are of welfare concern and the prevention of injuries is an important goal in many racing jurisdictions. Over the years this has led to more detailed recording of clinical events on racecourses. However, risk factor analyses of clinical events at race meetings have not been previously reported for Switzerland. Objective: To identify discipline-specific factors that influence the occurrence of clinical events during race meetings with the ultimate aim of improving the monitoring and safety of racetracks in Switzerland and optimising racehorse welfare. Methods: Retrospective s...
Song JW, Na KS, Tae SH, Kim YK.During the last two decades, Borna disease virus (BDV) has received much attention as a possible zoonotic agent, particularly as a cause of psychiatric disease. Although several studies have shown that BDV is present in Asia, BDV has not been detected in Korea. This study was designed to further investigate the presence of BDV infection in Korea. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 39 race horses and 48 jockeys. Antibody to BDV was detected by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test and RNA of BDV by real time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR). Results: No evidence of BDV was detected i...
Mizobe F, Takahashi Y, Kusano K.Jockey safety is an important subject from a welfare perspective and public perception. This is the first retrospective case-control study that aims to identify risk factors associated with jockey falls (JF) in Thoroughbred jump races held by the Japan Racing Association (JRA). JF in 17,459 maiden-class race starts at eight racecourses from 2003 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were extracted from a database and official accident reports maintained by the JRA. Thirteen possible risk factors were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression to identify those that were significan...
Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Proudman CJ, Morgan KL, French NP.A concurrent case-control study of 12 UK racecourses was made between March 1, 2000, and August 31, 2001, to identify and quantify the factors associated with the risk of horses falling in steeplechase races. Cases were defined as a jumping effort at a steeplechase fence that resulted in a fall and controls were defined as a successful jumping effort over any steeplechase fence at any of the 12 racecourses within 14 days before or after the case fall. Information on the horse, the jockey and the race were collected and all the fences on all the courses were surveyed. Conditional logistic regre...
Ivancic PC.We reported two cases of jockeys who sustained fracture/dislocation of the mid-thoracic spine due to traumatic falls during horse racing. We examined the injury mechanism based upon the patients' diagnostic images and video footage of races, in which the accidents occurred. Admission imaging of patient 1 (a 42 years old male) revealed T5 burst fracture with bony retropulsion of 7 mm causing complete paralysis below T5/6. There existed 22° focal kyphosis at T5/6, anterolisthesis of T5 relative to T6, T5/6 disc herniation, cord edema and epidural hemorrhage from T4 through T6, and cord injury f...
Collar EM, Zavodovskaya R, Spriet M, Hitchens PL, Wisner T, Uzal FA, Stover SM.To gain insight into the pathophysiology of equine lumbar vertebral fractures in racehorses. Objective: To characterise equine lumbar vertebral fractures in California racehorses. Methods: Retrospective case series and prospective case-control study. Methods: Racehorse post mortem reports and jockey injury reports were retrospectively reviewed. Vertebral specimens from 6 racehorses affected with lumbar vertebral fractures and 4 control racehorses subjected to euthanasia for nonspinal fracture were assessed using visual, radiographic, computed tomography and histological examinations. Results: ...
Mattacola CG, Quintana C, Crots J, Tumlin KI, Bonin S. During thoroughbred races, jockeys are placed in potentially injurious situations, often with inadequate safety equipment. Jockeys frequently sustain head injuries; therefore, it is important that they wear appropriately certified helmets. The goals of this study are (1) to perform impact attenuation testing according to ASTM F1163-15 on a sample of equestrian helmets commonly used by jockeys in the United States and (2) to quantify headform acceleration and residual crush after repeat impacts at the same location. Seven helmet models underwent impact attenuation testing according to ASTM...
Hobbs SJ, Tatlisulu A, Johnson A, Rowlands SD, Lucey M, Martin JH, Graydon RW, Northrop AJ.The maximum galloping speeds of racehorses during a race are influenced by the functional performance of the ground ('going') amongst other factors. For turf racecourses in Britain, the ground is descriptively classified and numerically quantified on the morning of a race meeting by the clerk of the course and subsequently published to assist decision making. Importantly, this includes deciding whether a horse should or should not run. The going is also assessed and classified during the meeting by racing analysts using the normalized winning times from each race result. Differences between go...
Allen SE, Taylor S, Given J, Verheyen KL.The British horseracing industry is committed to reducing equine fatalities in jump racing. Race-related fatalities are a major welfare concern and threaten the sport's social licence to operate. Objective: To describe the risk of, and determine risk factors for, fatality in British jump racing. Methods: Retrospective cohort. Methods: Analyses included all starts made in British jump races between January 2010 and April 2023. Available information for each horse, race, racecourse, trainer and jockey was collated and combined with details of all fatalities recorded by official veterinary office...
Horan K, Pfau T.Racehorses and jockeys can incur injuries, not only during gallops, but also during routine trotting exercise to access gallop tracks or warm-up. Understanding how jockey position affects racehorse movement may influence safety, and this may vary across different surface conditions. This study used inertial sensing technology (XSens MTw sensors) and linear mixed models to quantify and determine the significance (p ≤ 0.05) of jockey riding position ('rising' versus 'two-point seat') and surface type (artificial, grass and tarmac) on: 1) time offsets between stance and flight phases; 2) ho...
Reddington E, Winter S.Elite sporting careers are made up of a succession of transitions and adjustments across multiple layers. Part of the microenvironment is an athlete's romantic partner who moves through the transitions alongside them, being impacted along the way. Though researchers are yet to explore jockeys and their partners experiences within the horse racing context. Framed through the transition environment working model (Henriksen et al., 2024) and supported by the family systems theory (Broderick, 1993), this study aimed to explore the career experiences and retirement transition of a retired Champion ...
Becard B, Sapone M, Martin P, Hanne-Poujade S, Babu A, Hébert C, Joly P, Bertucci W, Houel N.The saddle's adaptability to the rider-horse pair's biomechanics is essential for equestrian comfort and performance. However, approaches to dynamic evaluation of saddle fitting are still limited in equestrian conditions. The purpose of this study is to propose a method of quantifying saddle adaptation to the rider-horse pair in motion. Eight rider-horse pairs were tested using four similar saddles with small modifications (seat depth, flap width, and front panel thickness). Seven inertial sensors were attached to the riders and horses to measure the active range of motion of the horses' forel...
Taned M, Zandi MB, Salek Ardestani S, Abdoli M, Spangler ML.Race performance in Thoroughbred horses is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Understanding their genetic architecture is essential for designing effective breeding programs. Objective: This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters and trends for key performance traits in Iranian Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Performance data, including race completion time (RCT), rank at the end of the competition (REC), and average speed (AS), were obtained from the Iranian Equestrian Federation (2002-2021). Pedigree data from 14,391 individuals were analyzed using CFC software. Gene...
Pennington MV, Zoller JL, White-Springer SH, Harlin JF, Huseman CJ, Leatherwood JL, O'Reilly CL.Competition stress is a common factor influencing the success of performing athletes. However, few studies have quantified the physiological stress responses in horses and riders surrounding an equestrian event. Objective: The objectives of the current study were to determine salivary cortisol concentrations (SCC) as an indicator of stress in fifteen horse and rider pairs competing in western stock horse events and to investigate the relationship between SCC and performance. Methods: Subjects included male and female Quarter horses aged 3-15 years and equestrians aged 18-22 years. Salivary sam...
Gunsmaa G, Gurbazar U, Badarch TU, Ichikawa M.The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of safety regulations governing traditional Mongolian horse racing on the frequency and severity of injuries among child jockeys. Regulations introduced in 2019 mandate the wearing of helmets and protective clothing, prohibit the participation of jockeys aged < 7 years, and ban horse racing during the cold season (November-April). National injury surveillance data were used to compare the profile of injuries that occurred among children aged < 15 years in the 4-year periods before and after the introduction of the regulations (2015-2018 ...
Newton LJ, Dobbin N, Goodwin P, Crampton JS.Competitive horse racing is the second largest sport in Great Britain by spectator attendance, employability, and revenue. It is a lucrative yet hazardous sport, with high injury rates, particularly from falls. Clavicular fractures are one of the most common injuries reported, yet their management, especially regarding return to racing, is under-researched. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors associated with the time to return to competition following a clavicular fracture in jockeys competing in Great Britain. Methods: This review of medical records utilised data from the Bri...
Losty C, Sreenivas S.Feminist sport researchers examine the unique experiences of female athletes as crucial in promoting women's sport participation and parity in opportunities (Lebel et al., 2021). Insight into the unique stressors encountered by female jockeys in Ireland (Irl) and the United Kingdom (UK) may provide sport scientists, practitioners and policy makers with a greater awareness of the specific supports they need (Losty & Sreenivas, 2023). Deeply personal and complex decisions for female athletes, such as starting a family, can be shaped by various professional performance factors. The impact of beco...
Legg KA, Cochrane DJ, Gee EK, Chin YY, Rogers CW.Thoroughbred race-riding requires jockeys to attenuate horse movement and maintain postural stability whilst galloping at high speeds. This study aimed to investigate the head movement of jockeys in relation to race-riding experience. Accelerometer and heart rate data were collected from twelve apprentice and two senior jockeys during 85 exercise rides and 82 trial rides. Mean head displacements were determined for each jockey by double integrating the filtered acceleration data. A mixed effect multivariable linear regression model was used to investigate the relationship between jockey experi...
