Irish Jockeys Association helping riders within 24 hours via fast-track system

Irish Jockeys Association secretary Andrew Coonan says the introduction of a fast-track system to financially assist riders in difficulty during the coronavirus crisis is proving beneficial, with riders gaining approval to access funds within 24 hours of making an application.

With no fixtures due to take place in Ireland until at least May 5, jockeys may be facing a precarious period financially and have the option of applying for aid.

Coonan believes the IJA scheme, which is funded by the Irish Jockeys' Trust and Irish Injured Jockeys Fund, is already having a positive impact during a challenging period.

"We are living in unique times," Coonan said. "The last and only time I recall this system being put in place was during racing's shutdown due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak, a period when we weren't so well advanced with schemes for funding.

"This has been longer, more dramatic and impacted a far wider audience in the entire population."

He added: "Thankfully, the scheme has proved very beneficial. We're actually turning it around within 24 hours now. Once you get approved, you receive assistance that is effectively done as a three-week payment."

Jockeys with concerns over the complexity of applying for the coronavirus scheme benefits also have the facility to request advice from the IJA.

"Some of the riders would have a dual system, whereby they are employees in the morning and self-employed contractors in the afternoon by riding for different people," explained Coonan.

"Therefore, they come into a two-tier system within the eyes of the Revenue [Commissioners], so it's important to get clarification for all the riders on all aspects of their earnings. It hasn't just been a case of providing financial assistance, but also in assisting people."

He added: "Each rider is assessed on personal means because some will obviously have bigger financial commitments than others."

An empty weighing room: racing has not taken place in Ireland since March 24Credit: Edward Whitaker

Irish racing's nine-meeting spell behind closed doors should help a future return to action, according to Coonan, who also noted no rider to his knowledge had tested positive for Covid-19 during that period.

He said: "We may not have realised at the time but streamlining behind-closed-doors racing could prove very beneficial to us - effectively, we've had a dry run at this.

"It proved very successful and thankfully during that period of time we had no rider in the subsequent two weeks test positive that I'm aware of. All riders have been asked to report to Dr Jennifer Pugh if they have any symptoms."

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