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Injury2009; 41(5); 533-539; doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2009.05.009

Fall and injury incidence rates of jockeys while racing in Ireland, France and Britain.

Abstract: This article presents and analyses injury incidence rates for amateur and professional racing jockeys in Ireland, France and Britain by means of a retrospective study and review of published data. Amateur jump racing was seen to have the highest fall risk in these three countries (between 115 and 140 falls/1000 rides). Jump racing also had the highest rates of injury/ride amongst both amateur and professional jockeys. Flat racing, however, had the highest rates of injuries/fall (34-44%). Of all the injuries in both jump and flat racing populations of amateur and professional jockeys, 15% were concussive head injuries, and more than half of these involved loss of consciousness. Professional jump jockeys in Ireland fell less frequently than those in France or Britain. Their injury/fall rate and injury/ride rate were highest in Britain. Professional flat racing jockeys in France had the lowest rates of injuries/fall and injuries/ride, while those in Ireland had the highest.
(c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2009-06-13 PubMed ID: 19524903DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2009.05.009Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 discusses a study and review of injury incidence rates among amateur and professional jockeys involved in flat and jump racing in Ireland, France and Britain. The study reveals that the fall risk is highest in amateur jump racing and that despite having lower fall rates, flat racing records the highest rates of injuries per fall.

Study and Analysis of Injury Incidence Rates:

The researchers embarked on an extensive review of previously published data alongside a retrospective study aimed at understanding injury incidence rates among racing jockeys. The types of races in focus were:

  • Jump Racing: This form of racing showed the highest overall fall risk, with between 115 to 140 falls per 1000 rides. The researchers also noted the highest rates of injury per ride in both amateur and professional jockey categories.
  • Flat Racing: Even though flat racing had lower fall rates compared to jump racing, it surprisingly had the highest rates of injuries per fall, ranging from 34% to 44%, implying that when falls occurred in this type of racing, they were more likely to result in injury.

Nature of Injuries:

The types of injuries experienced by racing jockeys were also broken down and analyzed:

  • Concussive Head Injuries: These formed 15% of all the injuries sustained in both jump and flat racing. More than half of these concussive head injuries involved a loss of consciousness by the jockey, indicating the severe nature of these injuries.

Geographical Differences in Injury Rates:

The research also found certain geographical differences in injury and fall rates:

  • Professional jump jockeys in Ireland fell less frequently than those in France or Britain. However, the highest injury rates per fall and per ride were seen amongst these jockeys in Britain.
  • On the contrary, for professional flat racing jockeys, those in France had the lowest rates of injuries per fall and per ride, while Irish jockeys had the highest.

In summary, the research underscores the inherent risks faced by both amateur and professional jockeys, with the level of risk varying based on the type of racing and the location. It emphasises the importance of in-depth understanding of these risks, which is crucial for implementing effective preventative measures and safety protocols in the world of professional horse racing.

Cite This Article

APA
Rueda MA, Halley WL, Gilchrist MD. (2009). Fall and injury incidence rates of jockeys while racing in Ireland, France and Britain. Injury, 41(5), 533-539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2009.05.009

Publication

Injury
ISSN: 1879-0267
NlmUniqueID: 0226040
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 5
Pages: 533-539

Researcher Affiliations

Rueda, Manuel A Forero
  • School of Electrical, Electronic & Mechanical Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Halley, Walter L
    Gilchrist, Michael D

      MeSH Terms

      • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
      • Accidents, Occupational / statistics & numerical data
      • Animals
      • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
      • Brain Concussion / epidemiology
      • Brain Injuries / classification
      • Brain Injuries / epidemiology
      • France / epidemiology
      • Horses
      • Humans
      • Incidence
      • Injury Severity Score
      • Ireland / epidemiology
      • Retrospective Studies
      • Sick Leave
      • United Kingdom / epidemiology

      Citations

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