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The External Workload of Thoroughbred Horse Racing Jockeys

Author

Listed:
  • Kylie Legg

    (School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11–222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand)

  • Darryl Cochrane

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Private Bag 11–222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand)

  • Erica Gee

    (School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11–222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand)

  • Chris Rogers

    (School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11–222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
    School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11–222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Kylie Legg & Darryl Cochrane & Erica Gee & Chris Rogers, 2020. "The External Workload of Thoroughbred Horse Racing Jockeys," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7572-:d:413316
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Iris M. Bergmann, 2019. "Interspecies Sustainability to Ensure Animal Protection: Lessons from the Thoroughbred Racing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-30, October.
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