Minimum riding weights raised by BHA
Generic jockeys leave the weighing room at Newbury
The minimum riding weights for both Flat and National Hunt jockeys will be raised by 2lb on a permanent basis, the British Horseracing Authority has said.
The minimum weight to be carried by Flat jockeys will be 8st 2lb from Saturday March 26, while their jumps colleagues will be set a minimum of 10st 2lb from Friday, April 29.
This comes as a result of saunas no longer being in use on racecourses. To avoid compressing the weight structure maximum weights will rise in line with the increase at the bottom of the weights.
Initially weights were raised by 3lb following the resumption of racing after the first Covid lockdown to assist jockeys due to saunas being out of use.
But following extensive discussions, the consensus was a 2lb allowance should be permanent.
The 3lb Covid allowance will remain in place until the new revised weights structure is implemented.
Dr Jerry Hill, the BHA's chief medical advisor, is also working on a plan to introduce individual minimum weights for jockeys.
He said: "The closure of saunas on our racecourses represents a significant step forward for jockey wellbeing and a permanent raising of the minimum weight, while protecting competitiveness by raising the maximum weight, is the correct response to that development.
"Our jockeys are athletes who should be primed to perform to the best of their ability like any other. Shedding pounds by dehydrating in a sauna minutes before being given the leg-up onto a horse is not the best way to ensure that is the case."
