BHA defends move to raise riding weights despite criticism from jockeys

The BHA has defended its move to raise the riding weights for Flat and jumps races by 2lb, which wasmet with heavy criticism from jockeys, saying the decision was reached after consultation with the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA).

It was announced on Tuesday that minimum weights in Flat races would rise from 8st to 8st 2lb and over jumps from 10st to 10st 2lb from Saturday, March 26 as a way of replacing the 3lb Covid allowance that had been permitted since the resumption of racing in June 2020.

The BHA reiterated in a statement on Wednesday morning that the Covid allowance – which was brought in after the closure of saunas on racecourses during the pandemic, a move that has since been made permanent – was only a temporary measure and the new 2lb rise was agreed upon by the cross-industry Racing Group with contributions from the National Trainers Federation and PJA.

The BHA's statement said: "The 3lb Covid allowance was a temporary, emergency measure introduced to support jockeys when saunas and gyms were closed as an infection control measure.

Why are jockeys up in arms about the change to the minimum weights in Britain?

"As part of the consultation regarding the potential removal of saunas, longer-term solutions were discussed to ensure that jockeys continue to be supported should saunas be removed."

The rise will affect maximum as well as minimum weights for all races, with the BHA adding: "The 3lb Covid allowance has not been removed in its entirety, as has been suggested. It has been replaced by a 2lb rise in both minimum and maximum weights in all races other than Pattern races (where weights structure will be reviewed on a race-by-race basis) and Flat amateur races.

"Decisions such as this require a balancing of the varying views collected through the consultation to determine the most appropriate recommendations. The resultant recommendations were then presented to the cross-industry Racing Group prior to being ratified by the BHA board."

The decision had been met with near unanimous disapproval by jockeys, with Richard Kingscote stating the move "is not going to help any of us".

Richard Kingscote: one of many jockeys to criticise the BHA's decision to replace the 3lb Covid allowanceCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Speaking at Lingfield on Tuesday, he said: "For two years we've managed with no saunas because of the extra weight, now we've no saunas and no extra weight. That's only going to lead to young lads throwing up. If you're stuck for doing overweight or throwing up, there's some young lads that'll make bad decisions."

The BHA's statement added: "The raising of the maximum weight in handicaps has the effect of shifting the weights up, meaning all riders will carry 2lb more than previously was the case in the vast majority of British races pre-Covid, and just 1lb less than during temporary Covid measures.

"A 3lb allowance for safety equipment, introduced following the requirement to wear a level 2 body protector, will remain in place, as will a further 1lb allowance for all Flat jockeys during the winter months to account for an extra layer of warm clothing.

"The 2lb weight rise was agreed by the industry Racing Group, which includes cross-industry representation. The process that was followed to implement these changes included consultation with jockeys, through multiple meetings with the PJA.

'It's not going to help any of us' – jockeys critical of minimum weights rise

"This is an issue which affects more than one part of the sport, and as such consultation also took in views from other sectors. Concerns were expressed by NTF about the potential impact on some horses of routinely setting higher weights.

"The 2lb weight rise is 1lb less than was requested by the PJA through the consultation, and is an outcome which reflects consideration and balancing of all of the conflicting views presented by the parties consulted with.

"Further to the consultation with their representative body, the BHA would of course be happy to discuss and explain the changes with any jockeys who would like to speak further with us."

An online petition was started on Tuesday evening calling for the 3lb allowance to be kept in operation and had garnered more than 800 signatures as of 10.45am on Wednesday.

Read more:

Heated debate could be on the cards but PJA wants racecourse saunas to stay closed

Jim Crowley backs sauna ban as 'another step forward' for jockeys' welfare

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