March 2014
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Crabbie’s Grand National Aintree **Guest Badges for Jockeys riding at the meeting – IMPORTANT**
Any Jockeys riding at the meeting will need to request badges for family members IN ADVANCE to Clare Hazell at the PJA. Tickets will not be available for guests without prior request – please don’t just turn up with your guests and expect to get them in!
Sponsorship
As in previous years, Aintree have agreed to pay Jockeys a double riding fee for wearing the relevant Aintree sponsors branding on their breeches. Other Sponsorship partners at the meeting will be given the option of taking branding sites, however if this is not exercised the option will revert back to Crabbie’s. The top five Jockeys who ride at the meeting wearing the branding will receive £1,500.00, £1,000.00, £750, £500 and £250 respectively. In addition the leading Conditional Jockey will receive £500.00. The racecourse will pay a further 5% to the PJA.
The first race of the meeting, the Anniversary 4YO Hurdle, will be run in the IJF’s name and jockeys will therefore be wearing the IJF logo for this one race.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital – Jockeys’ visit
Great British Racing are organising a Jockeys visit to Alderhay Children’s hospital in Liverpool on Friday morning at 10am. If you are riding at the meeting and are able to attend, please contact Steph Jones on
[email protected], Tel: 020 7152 0236 or 07843 560548. Thank you for your support.
Sharron Murgatroyd
It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Sharron Murgatroyd. She was an inspiration to everyone as the tributes that have flowed in from jockeys past and present attest, including from our Joint-President AP McCoy: “She was an amazing lady with a great outlook on life, despite what it had dealt her. It had been very tough for her but I never heard her complain and she was great for keeping your perspective when something happened, good or bad.” Our thoughts and prayers are with all her family and friends. Clare Hazell
As many of you are probably aware, Clare Hazell, will be leaving the PJA on the 11th April, having worked for the PJA for 12 years and for the National Jockeys Booking Agency for 9 years prior to that based in the PJA Office.
Clare has been offered an opportunity that is too good to pass up, and she will be joining the Point to Point Authority to run things there. We were all bitterly disappointed to hear that Clare would be leaving us but absolutely delighted for her as the opportunity is thoroughly deserved.
I am sure all members will join me in thanking Clare for the tremendous job she’s done over the last 12 years and wishing her all the very best in her new role.
Whilst Clare will be very much missed, I am pleased to confirm that Izzy Desailly will take
over many of Clare’s responsibilities and will now be our Commercial and Membership Manager, so at least we know we have an excellent replacement already. Additionally, we will be recruiting someone else to the team in an administrative role.
REGULATORY Mandatory Flat Jockeys’ Seminars
All full Jockeys, 3lb and 5lb claimers, as part of their licence, are required to attend a halfday seminar arranged by the BHA; the seminars also include a PJA update from Paul Struthers. Three seminars will be held during 2014 for Flat Jockeys. These are:
•
Friday 11 April – The Regency Park Hotel, Bowling Green Road, Thatcham, Berks, RG18 3RP
•
Wednesday 16 April – The National Stud, Newmarket Suffolk, CB8 0XE
•
Wednesday 14 May – York Marriott Hotel, Tadcaster Road, York, YO24 1QQ
These will start at 9.15am and finish at 12.30pm – they are mandatory and a condition of your licence. You must make the necessary arrangements to attend it in full.
Any Jockeys who ride predominantly over jumps but also hold a flat licence and came to the last round of Jump Jockeys Seminars in 2013 will be excused from attending the Flat seminars.
Late arrivals and non-attendees will be required to submit their reasons in writing to the BHA and an appearance before the Disciplinary Panel may result. If the Disciplinary Panel should find you in breach the penalty range is 2-10 days suspension with a recommended entry point of 5 days.
Rule and Penalty Changes for 2014
The BHA have made some minor amendments to the Penalties applying to jockeys in the 2014 Guide to Penalties and Procedures, which can be found on the PJA website here.
(B)59.3 – Taking the Wrong Course There is no change to the entry point of 12 days but the top end of the range has increased to 21 days to allow Stewards to apply a proportionate penalty if it was a probably winner
that had taken the wrong course.
(B)67.4.3 – Weighing in more than 2lbs heavy The BHA have agreed to reduce the penalty from 2 days to 1 day if a jockey weighs in at more than 2lb overweight and is outside the first four.
Additionally, the BHA have introduced a new Rule of Racing that gives the Stewards the power to order the withdrawal of any horse “which takes charge of or dislodges its rider on the way to the start.” This will be at the Stewards discretion. It will not effect a jockey’s entitlement to a riding fee.
REMINDER – Stewards’ Enquiry DVD of incident
Following an enquiry, Jockeys are always asked if they want a DVD of the incident. Our advice is that even if you feel at the time you will not be appealing against any suspension, you should always have a DVD as you might subsequently change your mind. The DVD will be given to you free of charge at this point. If you request one after the incident a charge will be incurred. IF you wish to appeal and are based a distance from the PJA Offices at Newbury please try and ensure you get the DVD in the hands of someone based in Hungerford or Lambourn and then arrange for someone from the PJA to collect it.
MEDICAL MATTERS Dr Anna-Louise Mackinnon, the PJA Doctor can be contacted on 07770 237937
Recording of Jockeys Falls
The PJA have been working with the BHA and the RCA investigating how a formal system can be introduced to ensure that jockeys go to hospital armed with a video of their fall. 1-in-4 of vertebral fractures are currently being missed first time around and we believe that one of the problems is that A&E teams do not fully understand that a Jockey will have fallen from height and at speed, as opposed to someone popping off a pony in a ménage.
Whilst introducing a formal system is taking some time to scope and agree, the PJA has
reached agreement with the RCA on implementing a trial “system”. This is not be mandatory and there will be occasions where logistically it doesn’t happen, but the majority of racecourses have already implemented systems to ensure it does happen and the early feedback from hospitals and RMO’s is very positive.
There have been several vertebral fractures since this came in and they have all being picked up on initial presentation to A&E. If might be coincidence but anything that helps the A&E teams understand the mechanism of injury can only help.
Baseline Concussion Testing
Baseline concussion tests are part of the licensing process and are mandatory, not optional, for all licence types except point to point riders. They form part of the essential ‘safety net’ for jockeys and are part of the excellent injury management system that we have in place. As a reminder:
•
You need to have one done every year
•
Call the testing centre of your choice to book your own appointment with the nurse
•
Photo ID must be presented at the test (and also at the post-concussion test)
•
No shows and late cancellations (-24 hrs) will be fined £80.00 which comes straight out of jockey’s Weatherbys account
Any questions, worries or queries please contact the BHA Medical Office during office hours on 020 7152 0138 or Anna-Louise on 07770 237937.
Depression
Do you think you may be depressed or are you worried someone you know may be depressed? If so you are not alone. One in five of us will suffer from depression at some point in our lives. Depression is treatable and does not always have to be treated with antidepressants. The following websites give further information about depression.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Depression/Pages/Introduction.aspx http://www.mind.org.uk/help/diagnoses_and_conditions/depression
You can speak confidentially to Dr Anna-Louise Mackinnon if you need any help with depression. Other sources of help include:
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Your GP
•
Samaritans - 08457909090
•
Racing Welfare Helpline - 0800 6300443
From the Horses’ Mouth – a nutritional service for Jockeys
Chocolate – we all love it, but should we and how much is OK to eat? Click here for interesting facts on your favourite chocolate treats.
MEMBERS SERVICES The Professional Jockeys Association Pension Scheme (the PJAPS)
Jockeys who qualified for an entitlement in the PJAPS for rides in 2013 Flat season or the Jump 2012/2013 season will shortly receive paperwork from Aegon (Scottish Equitable). This will confirm the payment made to your Personal Pension Plan and also give you an upto-date valuation. If you have notified us of your accountant’s details, a copy will also be sent to them.
Please DO NOT return the Cancellation Notice that, by law, will be enclosed with your paperwork. If you do, Aegon (Scottish Equitable) will cancel the payment and return your contribution to the Trustees of the PJAPS.
We remind you that funding for the PJAPS comes from a deduction from total Prize Money and not from you directly. For tax purposes, however, you must declare it as income and your accountant will then apply the relevant pension allowance. Jockeys who qualified for an entitlement who haven’t completed an application form should consider doing so. Failure to complete and return the form after three seasons of the first entitlement will result in forfeiture of the entitlement on a rolling basis. Forfeited money is distributed between those Jockeys who have signed up and who qualify in that season.
For full details of the PJAPS click here - it is worth taking the time to look at this. Please call the PJA office if you have any questions or would like to discuss the PJAPS
Riding Fee Split for Apprentices – Reminder
Riding Fee Split Licence
Claim
Jockey% Trainer%
Expenses Jockey%
Prize Money
Trainer%
Jockey%
Trainer%
Apprentice
7lbs
50
50
50
50
50
50
Apprentice
5lbs
55
45
50
50
50
50
Apprentice
3lbs
80
0
50
50
20
100
Mileage Allowance: 22.5p per mile or 50% of public/private transport. Receipts must be provided.
To download a mileage claim form, click here.
Badges for Retired Jockeys
We are delighted to announce that the Racecourse Association has agreed to enhance the Retired Jockeys Badge scheme.
As well as retired jockeys being entitled to an RCA Badge if they have previously held a Jump Licence for 10 years or Flat Licence for 15 years, the RCA has agreed that Jump Jockeys who held a licence for 15 years and Flat Jockeys who held a Licence for 20 years will also be entitled to an additional badge for their wife or partner. For jockeys whose careers have meant they’ve only been able to spend limited time with their families this is very much welcome.
The RCA has also agreed that jockeys who suffer a career ending injury, will also be entitled to a temporary RCA Badge for the first two seasons after they have been ‘career ended’ if they do not qualify for another badge (eg a retired jockeys badge or if they have gone on to a second career as a trainer and get an RCA badge that way). Sudden, enforced retirement can be a very difficult thing to come to terms with and if this provides even a very small amount of comfort and assistance in dealing with such a major life-changing event then it will be worth it.
We would like to thank racecourses and the RCA, in particular Ian Barlow and Caroline Davies, for making this happen, and we will be contacting all those that this applies to in due course.
Badge Abuse
You are reminded that racecourse badges requested by Jockeys should only be for members of their immediate family or friends and many racecourses now ask that such requests are made in advance of the meeting. Any abuse of this policy could result in racecourses withdrawing this concession. It might also jeopardise the metal badge facility for PJA members. Please act responsibly.
Jockeys’ Telephone Helpline
The PJA share Racing Welfare’s 24 Hour manned helpline. The helpline provides confidential impartial help and advice to the Racing Industry and this includes all Professional Jockeys.
Don’t be alone pick up the phone! Tel: 0800 6300443.
Doncaster F1 Challenge
William Hill and Betfred are supporting a new Formula 1 challenge at Doncater racecourse and in doing so will be donating to Jack Berry House.
Commencing on William Hill Lincoln
day, Jockeys will be asked to drive a timed lap in a simulator. Channel 4 will be covering some of the laps and the winner will get to drive around a race track at a venue to be confirmed.
Dale Gibson was in attendance on Lincoln Day to assist with those wanting to attempt the challenge and can be contacted for further information on his mobile (07970 149415)
Newcastle Racecourse – Changing Room Facilities upgrade
Newcastle Racecourse are currently investing a Significant amount of money to upgrade their facilities in various areas of the track including the Jockeys changing room area. There will be some inconvenience as work continues during the coming Flat season but all work will be completed by the Northumberland Plate meeting, at the end of June.
The facilities’ upgrade include:
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New showers and sauna.
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Improvements to the food service area.
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Ladies changing room will also be extended.
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Due to planning restrictions on the building, a new rest room area has yet to be built but this will be resolved in time. A physiotherapy treatment area has also yet to be designated.
•
Valets’ working conditions will also be improved with the relocation of the shower area.
The PJA and Newcastle Racecourse have been in contact for many years in order to improve the Jockeys’ facilities at the racecourse. Please feel free to speak to James Armstrong when you ride at Newcastle or to Dale Gibson at the PJA if you have any concerns.
Racing Excellence
Congratulations to Louis Steward who has won the Racing Excellence Apprentice Hands and Heels AW Series 2014. He received £1,000 to spend toward his career development and a trophy from Paul Hanagan at Lingfield Racecourse on Saturday 22nd March.
Leader Boards (as at 25/03/14) Racing Excellence Conditional Training Race Jump Series – Tom Cheesman Racing Excellence Conditional Hands and Heels Series – Jack Sherwood
PJA ON THE COURSE A member of the PJA Team will attend the following race meetings:
April: 3-5 Aintree (Paul Struthers, Dr Anna-Louise Mackinnon, Izzy Desailly, Clare Hazell); 11 Newbury (Paul Struthers); 16 April Newmarket (Paul Struthers, Dale Gibson, Izzy Desailly); 26 Sandown (Paul Struthers); 30 Pontefract (Paul Struthers and Dale Gibson)
A JIM Team member will be available to treat Jockeys with acute or chronic Injuries from 1 ½ hours before racing at all National Hunt Meetings. In addition the following Flat meetings will be attended by one of the Team.
April: 1 Kempton; 2 Kempton, Lingfield; 3 Lingfield; 5 Lingfield; 7 Windsor, Redcar; 8 Pontefract; 9 Kempton, Nottingham, Lingfield; 10 Kempton; 11 Newbury; 12 Newbury,
Thirsk; 14 Pontefract, Windsor; 16 Newmarket, Beverley; 17 Ripon, Newmarket; 18 Musselburgh, Lingfield; 19 Kempton, Musselburgh; 21 Redcar; 23 Epsom; 24 Beverley; 25 Doncaster, Sandown; 26 Ripon, Haydock; 27 Kempton; 29 Kempton, Nottingham, Lingfield; 30 Pontefract, Ascot.
Disclaimer The PJA is not responsible or liable for any actions taken from use of content and opinion expressed within this publication. The Professional Jockeys Association wishes to make it clear that it does not endorse any particular product or supplier and cannot be held responsible in the event of a dispute or loss arising from any arrangement entered into with any Company or individual whose advertisement or promotion accompanies this letter. Anyone intending to enter into a contract or acquire goods or services offered by such advertisements should satisfy themselves as to the bona fides of the advertiser and of the goods or services being offered.
Copyright © 2014 The Professional Jockeys Association, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a member of the Professional Jockeys Association (The PJA) Our mailing address is: The Professional Jockeys Association 39b Kingfisher Court Hambridge Road NEWBURY, Berks RG14 5SJ United Kingdom Add us to your address book
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