A service provider perspective in Irish horseracing on the availability of retirement specific support services for professional jockeys and perceived barriers and facilitators to their use.
Abstract: Retirement can come at any time in horse racing due to the unpredictable nature of the sport. Preplanning for the retirement transition in sport has been reported to lead to faster adjustment to retirement and better transition for athletes. The purpose of this study was to highlight the current support services available to Irish horseracing jockeys to aid with career transitions and to a) explore perceived barriers and b) perceived facilitators to their use. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 representatives from various racing bodies including the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board (IHRB), Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), Racing Academy Centre of Education (RACE), Irish Jockeys Trust (IJT), The Jockeys Association (JA), Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF), Equipp and The Jockeys Pathway. Questions included, demographic information, perceptions of current use of support services, perceptions of barriers preventing jockeys from using support services and perceived facilitators to the use of support services in the future. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data that included inductive and deductive approaches. The higher order themes identified as barriers to use of transition support services, were the culture within the Irish horseracing industry, and insufficient cross organisation communication. Higher order themes relating to facilitators of engagement were accessible further education opportunities for jockeys, normalising career planning and the development of an exemplar support service for jockey career transitions. Normalising career planning and implementing an exemplar support programme for retiring jockeys is vital to ensure jockey wellbeing needs are met as they transition at the end of their racing career.
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Research Overview
This study investigates the availability and use of retirement support services for professional jockeys in Irish horseracing.
It explores the perceived barriers that prevent jockeys from using these services, as well as factors that facilitate their engagement with such support.
Introduction and Background
Retirement in horse racing can occur unexpectedly due to the sport’s unpredictable nature.
Effective preplanning for retirement transitions in sports is linked to better and faster adjustment for athletes.
The research aims to shed light on current support services available to jockeys in Ireland and examine factors affecting their use.
Methodology
Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 representatives from key Irish horseracing organizations, including:
Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board (IHRB)
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI)
Racing Academy Centre of Education (RACE)
Irish Jockeys Trust (IJT)
The Jockeys Association (JA)
Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF)
Equipp
The Jockeys Pathway
Questions asked covered:
Demographic information of representatives
Perceptions on how jockeys currently use support services
Barriers perceived to prevent jockeys from using support services
Perceived facilitators that could promote future use of support services
The qualitative data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, combining both inductive and deductive approaches.
Findings – Barriers to Use of Transition Support Services
Culture within the Irish horseracing industry:
Cultural attitudes and norms may discourage jockeys from seeking support.
Potential stigma or traditional views around mental health or career planning.
Insufficient cross-organization communication:
Fragmentation and lack of coordination between racing bodies and support organizations.
Information about available services might not reach jockeys effectively.
Findings – Facilitators of Engagement with Support Services
Accessible further education opportunities:
Providing jockeys with straightforward access to educational programs encourages involvement.
Helps jockeys acquire skills valuable both within and beyond their racing career.
Normalising career planning:
Changing cultural attitudes to make career transition planning a routine part of a jockey’s career.
Reduces stigma and increases openness to utilizing support services.
Development of an exemplar support service:
Creating a best-practice, comprehensive support program tailored to jockeys’ transition needs.
This program would serve as a model to improve wellbeing and support during retirement.
Conclusions and Implications
Normalising career and retirement planning is essential to improving jockey wellbeing during career transitions.
Establishing a high-quality, well-coordinated support service tailored for jockeys can facilitate smoother transitions out of racing.
Addressing cultural barriers and improving communication between organizations is critical to service uptake.
The study highlights important insights for policymakers and horseracing organizations to enhance support systems for professional jockeys facing retirement.
Cite This Article
APA
Langton L, Cullen SJ, Warrington G, Pugh J, McGoldrick A, Losty C.
(2026).
A service provider perspective in Irish horseracing on the availability of retirement specific support services for professional jockeys and perceived barriers and facilitators to their use.
PLoS One, 21(4), e0348055.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0348055
Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, South East Technological University, Waterford, Ireland.
MeSH Terms
Retirement
Humans
Ireland
Horses
Male
Athletes / psychology
Female
Sports
Animals
Middle Aged
Adult
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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