Doctors concerned at jockeys' methods to keep down weight

The medical profession has expressed concern at the health implications for jockeys who are going to extreme lengths to maintain their light weights, writes Alison Healy

Doctors say the increasing weight and general build of the Irish population is posing major problems for aspiring young jockeys who wish to enter the racing profession.

The lightest weight for a jockey in a flat race is about seven stone. But most top flat-jockeys weigh about eight stone and four pounds, while most jump-jockeys weigh in at about 10 stone.

"Basically, the human race is getting bigger, and it's becoming more and more difficult for some riders to keep their weight under control," Dr Walter Halley, chief medical officer of the Turf Club, told The Irish Times.

Dr Halley was particularly concerned at the "highly dangerous" constant use of saunas by jockeys to keep their weights down.

Apart from fluid loss, this can also cause salt loss, and serious damage to the kidneys and liver.

Dr Halley said he had stopped jockeys from riding in the past because they were so dehydrated.

Some jockeys were also choosing saddles for weight, rather than safety reasons, and this could result in serious injury, he added. Some saddles were now as light as half a pound, and posed serious safety concerns.

This year, the Racing Apprentice Centre of Education (RACE) increased its maximum weight entry requirement from 8½ stone to nine stone, after numbers of candidates fell.

It went from a class of 20 the previous year, to 33 this year. Less than two weeks ago, top-jockey Johnny Murtagh took a career-break in an effort to stabilise his weight, after a back injury affected his exercise regime.

As a result of growing concerns, the Racecourse Medical Officers' Association (RMOA) has decided to carry out a study on the weight issue for the Turf Club, which regulates racing in Ireland.

Dr Halley said many apprentices coming onto racecourses were unable to fully use the "10 pound claim" designed to help new jockeys, because they were already too heavy.

Jockeys' attempts to reduce weight have been well-documented over the years, and include constant dieting, laxatives, diuretics and excessive use of saunas.

Lester Piggott was said to have lived on a diet of coffee and cigars to ride his minimum weight of eight stone and six pounds. His natural weight would have been about two stone more.

Dr Halley succeeded in banning an extra-light stirrup due to fears that it could break and cause a serious accident.

Dr Adrian McGoldrick, of the RMOA, said that the average weight of young apprentice jockeys entering RACE had increased by about 20 pounds since it was founded in the 1970s.

"Obviously people are getting larger and it's much more difficult for jockeys to retain a light weight," he said.

Dr McGoldrick said that he would like to see an across-the-board increase of two to three pounds.

However, any increase would have to tie-in with the international situation, he said.

Earlier this year, the Observer in Britain reported that scores of small, light men from Asia, Africa and eastern Europe were being brought to Britain to work as jockeys and stable staff because Britons were becoming too big.