THE thoroughbred meeting in Devonport on Sunday will not only celebrate the opening of the new racing season but it also coincides with Jockey Celebration Day that has become an annual event.
Jockey Celebration Day (JCD) is held nationally on the first Saturday in August each year and celebrates the achievements of former and current jockeys, commemorates those who have lost their lives and raises awareness and funds for the National Jockeys’ Trust (NJT) to help support injured or ill jockeys and their families.
As part of JCD at Devonport on Sunday there will be a minutes silence to remember past jockeys who have lost their lives and Chaplain Heather Turner will bless the track during an official ceremony and the jockeys on the top weights (number one saddle cloth) in each race will wear the NJT colours..
The principal purpose of the National Jockeys Trust is to provide support for former and current jockeys, and their families who are in necessitous circumstances as a result of serious injury, illness or death of a jockey.
Insurance benefits have improved significantly since 2009. But there’s still any number of riders from years gone by, and even from the present group, who seem to slip through the cracks when it comes to WorkCover and other insurance schemes.
NJT has provided over $2.2 million in assistance to in more than 200 jockeys and the families of jockeys who have been killed.
The occupation of a Jockey is the most dangerous land occupation in the world.
It is a requirement for an ambulance to follow the field in every race.
A jockey weighing 50-60kg riding a 550kg thoroughbred at 60km per hour does not allow much margin for error. Whenever a jockey is killed or permanently disabled a family is left in hardship.
There are 840 jockeys registered in Australia and here are some statistics that support the need for the NJT:
- In excess of 870 Australian jockeys have been killed in race falls since 1847
- Approximately 200 riders are injured each year on Australian racetracks.
- Combined with trackwork, we have nearly 500 falls annually.
- 89% of jockeys will have a fall that requires medical assistance
- 9% have fallen more than 20 times.
- Each year 40% of jockeys will have a fall that will prevent them from riding for an average of 5 weeks.
- Approx 5% of these falls would be termed career-ending injuries.
- Over 50% of Australian jockeys earn less than $60,000 per year (before expenses)
- It is estimated that in the next 10 years we will see 10-12 jockey deaths and 50 jockeys will suffer career ending injuries including paraplegia, quadriplegia and severe brain injury.
“The NJT’s work is made possible by our principal partners LUCRF Super, TAB, Sky Racing, private donations and fundraising activities thanks to the generous support of the horse racing community and industry participants.