As Des O’Keefe, the general manager of the Australian Jockey's Association, recently noted, being a jockey is the only job in the world where “you are followed by an ambulance every time you go to work in the expectation that something disastrous can happen.” We look at the challenges jockeys face in their workplace, and the systems currently in place to assist them in the case of injury or death, as well as plans for improving conditions in the future.

Some statistics on deaths and injuries in Australia’s racing industry:

• In 200 years of organised racing, 308 riders’ deaths are officially recorded.
• Over the next decade we can expect another 12 to 15 deaths on average.
• Many more jockeys will suffer serious injuries including brain damage and quadriplegia.
• Less serious injuries routinely incurred by jockeys include fractured clavicles, torn cruciate ligaments, fractured wrists, multiple fractured ribs and head injuries.
• 40 per cent of Australia’s 800 jockeys are injured in falls that put them out of the sport for at least five weeks each year.

The current system of support for injured jockeys in Australia:

• The majority of the 840 jockeys and apprentice jockeys employed in Australian racing are paid about $150 per race plus a small percentage of the winnings; the job involves lots of unpaid track work and time out for injury.
• There is no relevant employer against whom a jockey can claim Sick Leave entitlements. For all purposes other than workers compensation, they are independent contractors.
• Their self-employed status also limits the extent to which they are covered by workers’ compensation.
• Each state differs in the extent to which jockeys are covered by workers’ compensation; NSW and Victoria are the highest payers at approximately 80% and 90%, but after a period of 6 months, the rate reduces significantly. This poses serious problems for affected jockeys, many of whom suffer long-term injuries.
• Each state has its own autonomous racing authority, responsible for its own RTW coordination. In some states, the authority is deemed to be the employer of its jockeys, (eg Racing Queensland) in some cases it is not (eg Racing NSW). To complicate matters further, apprentice jockeys are ‘employed’ by the race course during the race, and by their trainer, or ‘master’ at other times.
• Prescribed rates of workers compensation benefits are generally far below a jockeys average weekly earnings, so an extended rehabilitation period could have significant financial impact.
• The Australian Jockeys Association (AJA) was formed to campaign for better conditions and support for jockeys. Along with the ACTU, the association has been actively lobbying both state and federal governments for greater assistance.
• The National Jockeys Trust (NJT) was established in 2004 to provide financial assistance for injured jockeys. In an effort to raise the $5 million necessary for the Trust to become self-sustaining, punters on Melbourne Cup Day were asked to donate 5 percent of their winnings to the NJT website.
• Racing Victoria sets a high standard in terms of providing injured jockeys with assistance from a sports psychologist and a doctor with rehabilitation, but in most cases, it is the jockey’s doctor who liaises with the relevant state WorkCover organisation.
• In order for a compensation claim to be made, a medical certificate is required declaring a jockey to be unfit for work. There are various grades of medical certificate, culminating in a ‘Fit to return’ certificate. These are usually issued by the jockey’s personal doctor.
• The racing authority often only becomes involved when the jockey is deemed not fit to return to riding.

Challenges with rehabilitation and return to work for jockeys:

• Most jockeys commence riding at a very early age and may not have completed other qualifications or ever worked in any other occupation, resulting in a lack of readily transferable skills or qualifications.
• Recurrent injuries can be a severe deterrent to resuming previous duties as racing is inherently physical and dangerous, and multiple and successive injuries are common.
• Depression may arise from the inability to return to riding and in some cases, the loss of “celebrity” status.
• Weight maintenance issues, particularly during the rehabilitation period when the individual is restricted in their ability to exercise. Substance abuse for purposes of weight control is also a danger.

On the positive side, Carlie Burge, OHS Claims Manager at Racing Victoria, says that working with jockeys is a pleasure, as "they are so fit and motivated to return to work."

Alternative career options:

• In country areas, most jockeys have a second job as their racing commitments usually only take place on a Saturday. This may be a fall back employment option for some.
• Other options for employment at the track include:
  • Trainer;
  • Trackwork;
  • Barrier starter;
  • Clerk of the course; and
  • Steward.
• Racing Victoria refers jockeys with career-ending injuries to the Victorian Institute of Sports support program for vocational guidance.

Plans for the future:
The push for more government assistance continues to be the focus. According to Paul Innes, CEO of both the AJA and the NJT, $600 million is contributed through betting taxes to both state and territory government coffers.

“The Australian racing industry is the fourth biggest employer in the country,” he says.

“We are asking for one-off grants to the NJT from state governments to supplement donations from industry and the race-going public to give injured jockeys the care and support they deserve.”