Funding boost for jockeys' weight research programme

A programme which it is hoped will radically change the way jockeys and stable staff control their weight is to receive a grant of more than £200,000 from the Racing Foundation, the body set up to distribute racing's share of the proceeds from the sale of the Tote.

A specialist team from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) led by Dr George Wilson is to develop the nutritional intervention programme over the next three years.

The team at LJMU, which also includes the head of nutrition for cycling’s Team Sky, has already spent seven years researching the health implications of extreme weight-making practices in jockeys and has designed healthier, alternative weight-making programmes.