JOCKEYS with significant social media output are to be asked to support a long awaited and much needed industry-backed PR campaign on equine welfare.
This despite many of them feeling their own health has been ignored by the powers that be.
My understanding is that the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Great British Racing (GBR) will begin the first stage of a new project next week.
My Saturday NAP is Zarzyni in the 3.00 at Musselburgh for David and Nicola Barron
The idea is to focus on equine welfare and positively showcase the standards of safety and welfare in the sport.
Initially, this will be done online with a platform containing information and data which will allow everyone to collectively challenge and correct inaccurate information which is put out by those who oppose the sport.
It seems a fine concept, albeit in typical BHA catch-up style something that should have been done a long time ago.
BHA believe it is essential to get jockeys on side.
And, of course, most sensible riders will be happy to be supportive.
However, my understanding is that a number of jockeys think it is pretty rich that those who have made their lives so difficult in recent times now want their help.
The majority of jockeys remain furious that saunas have been ripped out of weighing rooms on financial grounds.
They simply don’t believe they are a health hazard as the BHA has tried to indicate. This is backed up by numerous studies that actually claim saunas are beneficial to everyone.
Many in the weighing room are also still up in arms over what they feel were failed promises over a weight allowance that was subsequently lost following the Covid breakout.
And discontent still rumbles over the new whip rules that were introduced just over a year ago.
On those three counts, the BHA still refuse to debate the issues publicly with me, although I have asked on dozens of occasions for them to do so.
Jockeys should be congratulated for putting their grievances to one side for the good of the sport. But it doesn’t change the current status quo between the BHA and PJA.
Stage two of this welfare project will look to broaden the campaign and take it to a wider audience.
It’s not about seeking to persuade those people who are fundamentally opposed to the sport and will always be opposed.
It is instead about the people who are currently interested in racing but are concerned about welfare and could be turned away from the sport, or those who could be racing fans in the future but for who welfare concerns are a barrier.
One jockey hoping for a cracking season is Sean Levey, set to partner leading Qipco 2000 Guineas hope Rosallion, on whom he landed the 2023 Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp over the Arc weekend.
Now in February I interviewed Richard Hannon, Rosallion’s trainer, who told me: “He’s an extremely good horse. I can’t wait for the spring – he’s potentially as good as I have trained.”
Since then Hannon has said the same to others, sparking some cynicism that the handler has often said this about his charges over the years.
However, this time he might just be right.
It’s worth listening to what Levey told me: “Rosallion has done extremely well through the winter and has developed nicely. His work has shown us that.
“I’m really looking forward to him this year. He’s going to start off in the deep end (in the Guineas) and we all just hope he’s as good as we all think he is.
“Richard is under the impression he’s the best horse he has trained in a long time and to be honest I’m in the same camp.
“I definitely think he’s better than the good ones we have had over the years. So fingers crossed everything goes well leading up to the Guineas and everyone gets to see what a good horse he is.”
Rosallion is currently a 7-1 second favourite for the first colt’s Classic of the season behind City of Troy, the great hope of Ballydoyle who is odds on at 8-11.
Next in the line-up is another Ballydoyle challenger in Henry Longfellow at 16-1, the same odds as Night Raider, unbeaten in two starts at Southwell for Karl Burke and an impressive victor a couple of weeks ago in the colours of Clipper Logistics.
Ralph Beckett is step to challenge with Task Force, although he has to prove his stamina.
The Flat season is close to hotting up. It looks like everyone will need the jockeys on side.
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