Disputed changes to apprentice and conditional system will start next week

Changes to apprentice and conditional jockeys' agreements relating to pay and expenses will come into effect from July 15, the BHA said on Monday.

The previously announced move to give young jockeys a much larger share of prize-money and riding fees, while being made responsible for their own expenses, had been delayed by the coronavirus crisis and subsequent shutdown of racing, but will now be in place next week.

Leading Flat trainers Richard Hannon, Andrew Balding and Richard Fahey were among many from their profession who were critical of the changes, one of their points being that opportunities for claiming riders would diminish following the introduction of the new system.

The BHA's change in policy did not have the backing of the National Trainers Federation but was supported by the Professional Jockeys Association.

At the same time as announcing the changes would kick in next week, the BHA acknowledged the ongoing differences of opinion by inviting the NTF and PJA to re-establish the working group set up to discuss the issues initially.

Under the current system, Flat trainers retain up to 50 per cent of an apprentice’s riding fee and prize-money yields, depending on their claim and regardless of who they rode for, in return for paying the jockey's expenses, such as travel and certain items of kit.

The new terms in full

The PJA believed this system was abused by some trainers and it was initially set to change from March, with apprentices to receive no less than 80 per cent of their riding fees and prize-money, but with trainers no longer required to pay their expenses.

Tim Naylor, director of integrity and regulation at the BHA, said on Monday: "This has always been a subject which has created strong feelings both from jockeys and trainers and their representatives. Our job has been to mediate to try to arrive at the best compromise possible, whereby there is not the potential for an uneven balance of power and also that a trainer's contribution to the early stages of an apprentice's career is suitably recognised.

"Given all that happened with the Covid-19 pandemic and suspension of racing, the original implementation date was not viable. We also felt it was not appropriate to bring in the new agreements in the initial stages of resumption, particularly as there were restrictions on apprentices riding.

"We fully accept that both from the point of view of apprentices and trainers there is more discussion to be had on this topic, and as such have reinstated the cross-industry working group to ensure there is a suitable forum to work together on any further concerns that arise."

Andrew Balding: one of the Flat trainers who has criticised the changesCredit: Edward Whitaker

The NTF said in a statement on Monday: "Regretfully, the National Trainers Federation cannot welcome the implementation of these changes.

"While there had been a long consultation with the NTF, the BHA's audit, which formed the basis of the proposals, did not take full account of the financial costs to trainers of producing apprentices, nor the other risks involved in providing race-riding opportunities.

"Trainers with a successful record in developing riders remain opposed to the changes; in their opinion the removal of the economic incentive to support young riders in their early career will lead to fewer quality jockeys and have a harmful impact on British racing in the long term.

"It remains to be seen whether further development of the trainer-apprentice relationship can mitigate the likely damage to the pipeline of riding talent."

The PJA said: “While we have been frustrated by the additional delays, we welcome the fact that the changes are finally coming in. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the NTF on some of the outstanding elements that we have been discussing and on the bigger issues that impact all our members.”

Conditional jockeys retain all of their prize-money and, from next week, their entire riding fee as well, having previously forfeited 50 per cent of that as 7lb claimers.

Read more on this subject:

Financial boost for apprentice jockeys after BHA bolsters prize-money share

Andrew Balding pulls plug on aspiring apprentices after BHA rule changes

Mick Easterby: 'It will be much harder to convince owners to use apprentices'

Why the apprentice pay system had to change - PJA chief Paul Struthers

BHA chair Phelps hits back at critics of apprentice pay rule change

Mick Appleby: trainers have overreacted to apprentice pay changes

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