A world-first study conducted by the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, in Hobart has identified risk factors for falls by jumps racing jockeys.

A world-first study conducted by the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, in Hobart has identified risk factors for falls by jumps racing jockeys.

The study, published online in the international journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, investigated factors associated with falls by licensed thoroughbred racing jockeys, participating in either steeplechase or hurdle racing conducted from August 2002 until July 2009.

Riding racehorses is a dangerous profession, particularly for jockeys riding in thoroughbred jumps races. There have been no jumps races in NSW since the 1990's, and in 2007, jumps racing ceased in Tasmania. Jumps racing now exists only in Victoria and South Australia.

In Australia, thoroughbred jumps racing jockeys have a fall rate 12.5 times greater than that of their flat racing counterparts. On average, a licensed jockey in Australia can expect to have a fall every 19 rides in jumps racing. This represents a fall in 5.3 per cent of rides, with 9.7 per cent of these falls resulting in injury.

Senior author, Menzies' Principal Research Fellow, Associate Professor Leigh Blizzard, says that, to date, there has not been a study of factors that contribute to falls by thoroughbred jumps racing jockeys.

"Previous studies of falls in  jumps races have focused on factors that contribute to falls by the horses, but our results have for the first time identified jockey-related factors that make important contributions," Associate Professor Blizzard said.

Important predictors of falls identified in hurdle racing were higher club level, larger field size, greater prize money, provisionally licensed jockeys and older jockeys.

In steeplechase racing, important predictors were type of jump (with lowest fall rates in races over Mark III jumps compared to standard fences), provisionally licensed jockeys, jockeys having had previous rides at a meeting, and larger field size.

First author and chief investigator of the paper, Menzies' PhD student, Ms Peta Hitchens suggests that some of these factors are linked to the level of competition.

"We believe that jockeys riding horses under these conditions are racing in higher quality races in a more competitive environment, which may mean they are racing at faster speeds and in closer proximity to each other.

"Our findings also suggest that inexperience of the jockey and less accomplished horses contribute to a higher falls rate," Ms Hitchens said.

It is hoped these results will lead to the development of targeted strategies to improve occupational health and safety standards in racing.

"Our findings point to the need for better preparation of horses to compete in high pressure racing, and better training and conditioning of jockeys with specific focus on skills required when riding inexperienced or less accomplished horses."

"If our findings are confirmed, they could form the basis for developing strategies to improve occupational health and safety standards in thoroughbred jumps racing," Ms Hitchens said.

Information Released by:

Fiona Horwood, Communications Manager

Phone: 6226 7751 Mobile: 0409 357 384

Email: Fiona.Horwood@menzies.utas.edu.au

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