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PloS one2022; 17(8); e0273310; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273310

Does sex of the jockey influence racehorse physiology and performance.

Abstract: The racing industry is supported by a predominance of female stablehands and work riders, but few become professional jockeys. Female jockeys have recently had notable race success. No study has assessed whether the sex of the rider may subtly influence racehorse physiology to affect performance. Here, using a validated exercise tracking system (the 'Equimetre'™) that records many physiological parameters simultaneously, this study characterised racehorse cardiovascular (heart rate, heart rate recovery) and biomechanical (stride length and frequency) parameters at various exercise intensities (slow canter to hard gallop) to address the question whether any parameter varied according to sex of the rider. A total of 530 Thoroughbreds, varying in age (2-7 years old) and sex (including geldings), from one racing yard in Australia, completed a total of 3,568 exercise sessions, monitored by a single trainer, on varying track surfaces (sand, turf, or fibre). Different work riders,103 in total (male, n = 66; female, n = 37) of which n = 43 were current or past registered professional jockeys, participated in the study. Data were analysed using analysis of variation (ANOVA) or mixed-effect models, as appropriate. Sex of the rider did not influence (P > 0.05) racehorse speed nor stride length at any training intensity. Racehorse heart rate and peak heart rate increased with training intensity (P 0.05). Racehorse heart rate recovery was influenced by sex of the rider, but only at the extremes of the reversed, usual training intensity on each surface (e.g. heart rate after galloping on sand was significantly lower with male riders, P = 0.03). Finally, analysis of 52,464 race results indicated a similar chance of a top-three placing for male and female jockeys. In conclusion, this study, using objectively obtained data, demonstrates for the first time no overt effect of the rider's sex on racehorse physiology in training and performance in racing. Such data could encourage greater female participation in racing and improve access of female jockeys to better quality mounts in racing events.
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Publication Date: 2022-08-31 PubMed ID: 36044425PubMed Central: PMC9432741DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273310Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research studied whether the sex of the jockey influences the physiology and performance of racehorses. The results found no significant impact on basic parameters, aside from slightly different heart rate recovery at extreme intensities.

Objective and Methodology

  • This research primarily aims to determine if there’s a difference in racehorse performance based on the gender of the rider.
  • The researchers monitored the physiological (heart rate and recovery) and biomechanical (stride length and frequency) parameters of 530 Thoroughbreds during 3,568 exercise sessions using a sophisticated exercise tracking system (the ‘Equimetre’™).
  • The data included 103 work riders (male, n = 66; female, n = 37), many of whom were current or past registered professional jockeys.
  • Various track surfaces (sand, turf, or fibre) were used, and analysis was carried out using analysis of variation (ANOVA) or mixed-effect models, where suitable.

Findings and Analysis

  • The study revealed that the sex of the rider did not significantly affect the horse’s speed or stride length at any given training intensity.
  • It was found that the heart rate and peak heart rate of the horse increased with training intensity, regardless of the rider’s gender.
  • However, heart rate recovery in horses was subtly influenced by the rider’s sex only at extreme reversed intensities. For instance, after galloping on sand, the heart rate was significantly lower with male riders.
  • Comparative analysis of 52,464 race results indicated that both male and female jockeys had similar chances of placing in the top three.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The research concluded that the sex of the rider has no obvious impact on the physiology and performance of racehorses in training and in racing.
  • This novel finding, backed by objective data, could encourage increased female participation in professional horse racing and pave the way for improved access of female jockeys to higher quality racehorses in racing events.

Cite This Article

APA
Schrurs C, Dubois G, Van Erck-Westergren E, Gardner DS. (2022). Does sex of the jockey influence racehorse physiology and performance. PLoS One, 17(8), e0273310. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0273310

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 8
Pages: e0273310
PII: e0273310

Researcher Affiliations

Schrurs, Charlotte
  • School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, United Kingdom.
Dubois, Guillaume
  • Arioneo, Paris, France.
Van Erck-Westergren, Emmanuelle
  • Equine Sports Medicine Practice, Waterloo, Belgium.
Gardner, David S
  • School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, United Kingdom.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Sand

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors received no specific funding for this work. Charlotte Schrurs is self-funding her PhD. All data were collected by Arioneo Ltd. David S Gardner is funded by The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham. Guillaume Dubois is an employee of Arioneo Ltd and had no influence on the reporting of results as presented. Emmanuelle Van Erck-Westergren is an Equine Sports Medicine specialist and consultant for Arioneo Ltd. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Schrurs C, Blott S, Dubois G, Van Erck-Westergren E, Gardner DS. Locomotory Profiles in Thoroughbreds: Peak Stride Length and Frequency in Training and Association with Race Outcomes. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 24;12(23).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12233269pubmed: 36496790google scholar: lookup
  2. Knox AL, Fenner K, Zsoldos RR, Wilson B, McGreevy P. Owner-Observed Behavioral Characteristics in Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTTBs) in Equestrian Second Careers. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 11;15(14).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15142046pubmed: 40723508google scholar: lookup
  3. Schrurs C, Dubois G, Van Erck-Westergren E, Gardner DS. Cardiovascular Fitness and Stride Acceleration in Race-Pace Workouts for the Prediction of Performance in Thoroughbreds. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 29;14(9).
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