Owners to support Career Ending Insurance Scheme for Jockeys
The Racehorse Owners Association and Professional Jockeys Association are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached for owners to support the Career Ending Insurance Scheme for Jockeys to ensure that jockeys whose careers are ended prematurely by injury are protected. The agreement has been reached after long-term sponsor Stobart Group ended their sponsorship in 2019, with the PJA unable to secure a new sponsor despite an extensive search. The new agreement removes the scheme from commercial sponsorship and provides an ongoing sustainable funding model for the future, reinforcing owners’ vital financial contribution across racing.
We’d like to thank the Racing Foundation for their support, who agreed to fund the insurance on a short-term basis until 1st January 2022, which has enabled the insurance to be renewed for 12 months, ensuring jockeys have continuous cover.
The agreement will see owners pay a small surcharge of £3.91 on every ride starting from 1st January 2022 and will be reflected under the Rules of Racing.
Jockey fees will now also be presented as a single “jockey fee”, combining the riding fee, PRIS and Career Ending Insurance. The new format will simplify the current system and see a reduced banking costs for owners, as has been requested by many owners.
Jon Holmes, Chairman of the PJA, said:
“This is such an important policy, providing as it does a lump sum pay out designed to financially assist jockeys whilst undergoing their enforced transition into a second career. As an owner myself it feels like the right thing to do, and we are very grateful to the ROA Executive and Board for being so open to this agreement. We would also like to thank the Racing Foundation, without whom there would have been a significant gap in cover.”
Steven Astaire, ROA Board Member, said:
“The welfare of all those who work in horse racing, equine and human, is at the heart of many of our industry discussions over the course of each year. Owners are the largest contributor to welfare causes of any stakeholder in the sport, be that through payments to RoR or PRIS. This agreement goes even further. The Board of the ROA were clear that no jockey should be without career ending insurance and this agreement will give comfort to many across the industry. We are always keen to improve both human and equine welfare standards and Rider’s welfare is part of that picture.
“We have also simplified the owners’ statements making it simpler and more cost effective for Owners when paying jockey’s fees. One fee incorporating all costs and insurance is clearer and better for both parties.”
Rob Hezel. Chief Executive of the Racing Foundation, said:
"At the Racing Foundation we believe the industry has a duty of care towards those that take great risks to participate in the sport of horseracing.
“We are pleased to provide grant funding of £122,000 to ensure every jockey has continuous cover of Career Ending Insurance whilst this new and sustainable funding mechanism is put in place.”
The Career Ending Insurance Policy will be underwritten by Royal Sun and Alliance and brokered by Howden Group.