 must surely act following a recent survey on saunas and dehydration — of which I have had exclusive access — amongst members of the Professional Jockeys' Association (PJA). As many of you will know, a few years ago saunas were removed because some felt they were detrimental to the health of jockeys. Now, though, there is evidence that decision has caused an even bigger issue to the life of a rider. The PJA has done a detailed survey amongst its members with over 60 per cent of its backers, the weighing room, giving their opinion. That's a high turnout, possibly a record, showing just how powerful the unrest and level of feeling is brewing inside the weighing room. The results showed that eight out of ten jockeys need to dehydrate at least once a week. One in five dehydrates daily. Jockeys tend to do this via hot baths, running, sweat suits and reducing fluid intake. Use of all these methods has increased significantly since the last survey on this topic in 2021. Essentially, over a third of jockeys now feel physically and mentally worse than they did before saunas were closed. When considering the stresses of their job, three-quarters of jockeys think the lack of racecourse saunas is a major negative. One of those hit hardest by the lack of saunas is Adam Kirby, who rather than being at Goodwood was sat on his tractor at home when I caught up with him. He told me: 'No saunas for a jockey is like a tennis player going out to play with no strings on his racket. 'It's as serious as that. There is no polite way of putting it. 'I d){kind=link}
JOCKEYS believe many of their colleagues are suffering both mentally and physically due to the lack of saunas on courses.
As a result, they have pleaded with the powers that be to reverse the current status quo, but the riders feel their concerns are falling on deaf ears.
Now, though, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) must surely act following a recent survey on saunas and dehydration – of which I have had exclusive access – amongst members of the Professional Jockeys’ Association (PJA).
As many of you will know, a few years ago saunas were removed because some felt they were detrimental to the health of jockeys.
Now, though, there is evidence that decision has caused an even bigger issue to the life of a rider.