War of words as BHA says PJA plea to reconsider sauna closures 'undermines a huge body of work'

The Professional Jockeys Association on Tuesday called for the reinstatement of racecourses saunas, prompting a strongly worded response from the BHA which accused the body of "not only reversing its public position but also undermining a huge body of work" on the subject.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the PJA pushed for the permanent closure of saunas to be reconsidered amidst growing outcry from riders on the subject, saying it "has created physical and mental wellbeing issues for jockeys that far outweigh any perceived risk of dehydration by sauna use". 

Jockeys have long used saunas to make weight, but they were off-limits during the Covid-19 pandemic and were banned from racecourses permanently in 2021.

Last week, former champion apprentice Jason Hart estimated “90 per cent” of jockeys sweat to make their riding weight, while leading members of the weighing room Tom Marquand, Neil Callan and Richard Kingscote are among those to have called for saunas to be reintroduced on course, but the BHA said it would not bow to that pressure.

The BHA took a similar stance in response to the PJA statement, which read: "The PJA is in no doubt, having consulted with senior psychologists, that the most urgent medical issue threatening the health of jockeys is that of the anxiety and stress associated with the need to make weight.

"Jockeys are using a range of inappropriate and more risky methods including very hot baths, use of sweat suits whilst driving, restricting fluid intake for long periods of time, or even flipping."

'Their ability to make weight has become more challenging'

During Covid, a 3lb weight allowance was in place, but that was dropped in March last year when minimum riding weights were raised 2lb.  

"In hindsight, the PJA accepts that it should have insisted on cast-iron guarantees from the BHA and others that the Covid weight allowance would remain in force before accepting the removal of saunas," the PJA statement read. "It is not sufficient for the BHA and RCA [Racecourse Association] to argue that there can be no further inquiry into the matter when compelling new evidence is presented.

"The PJA argues that the sauna closures, together with the absence of effective on-course supports to manage weight, has led to jockeys facing far greater risks to their wellbeing. Jockeys have tried to manage without saunas, and a revised personal safety allowance, for over 15 months, however a substantially increased number need the option of a sauna on raceday.  Many are using gyms very close to the racecourse in order to lose a couple of vital pounds.

"For jockeys, what has been called their psychology agency has changed. They may have a sense of ownership of their weight and dehydration but in truth their ability to make weight has become more challenging. Without the opportunity to use a sauna on the racecourse where checks and supervision can be provided, their levels of stress and anxiety and their ineffectiveness to manage weight safely and accurately has increased.

"The PJA is concerned because evidence from several major research studies show that reductions in psychological agency can have profound effects on physical health, and jockeys are currently reporting a very significant rise in mental health help-seeking – a valuable service which the PJA helps provide."

BHA: PJA statement 'undermines a huge body of work'

In response, the BHA stressed every decision regarding racecourse saunas and rider weight allowances had been based on expert medical evidence and "following extensive engagement with and full support from the PJA", including the decision to close saunas permanently following the Covid pandemic.

It also said the two organisations had been working together and with others in the past year to develop proposals, both short and long-term, to support jockeys with managing their weights, but that saunas had never been put forward as a "credible proposal" and that the PJA's public statement "undermined a huge body of work undertaken in a spirit of genuine goodwill".

The BHA statement read: "In making these decisions the BHA and others are reliant on representative bodies to accurately and consistently reflect the views of their members.

"For the past year, the BHA with the PJA and others has been working intensively and at pace – taking an evidence-based approach – to develop short and long-term proposals to support jockeys in managing their weights. At no point in that process were saunas put forward as a credible proposal.

"In calling for the reinstatement of saunas, the PJA has not only reversed its public position but also undermined a huge body of work undertaken in a spirit of genuine goodwill.

"It is simply false to present the return of saunas as a quick and easy fix for jockeys’ weight management, not least because that ignores the obvious significant practical and economic challenges posed by such a demand.

"But more importantly, it ignores all of the medical advice which was considered by the BHA and PJA, ahead of the decision to remove saunas. That expert advice was clear that acute dehydration immediately prior to competition could reach levels where it represents a safety risk to horses and jockeys. That expert advice was also significantly more extensive than the one study mentioned in the PJA statement.

"We remain committed to working with the PJA and others to discuss any reasonable compromises. With goodwill on all sides we are optimistic we can agree practical short and longer-term measures in the best interests of jockeys' physical and mental wellbeing can be found."

Read these next:

'I'd say 90 per cent of jockeys are dehydrated' - Jason Hart underlines rider dissatisfaction over saunas 

BHA stands firm over removal of saunas despite growing complaints from riders 

Racing Post Members' Club: subscribe for just £9.99 this summer 

Do you want £200+ of free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.