Concerns over inadequate facilities for female jockeys as racecourses miss upgrade deadlines

Horse Racing

The Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) has raised concerns about the inadequate facilities for female jockeys in British racing, highlighting the fact that many racecourses have yet to meet modern standards.

Despite a directive from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) requiring racecourses to upgrade their amenities by October 2024, a recent report revealed that a significant majority, about 80% of racecourses, have missed the deadline for these essential improvements.

These upgrades were designed to create facilities that cater to the diverse needs of all jockeys, ensuring that female jockeys have private spaces to change, shower, and rest, as well as communal areas for eating and warming up.

This need for updated facilities is increasingly important as the popularity of horse racing continues to soar. The sport has seen a surge in attendance, with more fans attending live races and placing bets both in-person and online. With the boom in popularity, horse racing has seen more fans dedicating time to reviewing jockey and horse stats, reviewing racing prices and odds, and researching historical data before each race. There is an increasing focus on tracking the performance of horses and jockeys, making it crucial for racecourses to provide top-notch, inclusive facilities. The growing popularity of horse racing, particularly among a more diverse and engaged audience, demands that the infrastructure supports the well-being and needs of all participants, from jockeys to racegoers.

Originally, the BHA set out to upgrade facilities across all racecourses to meet the needs of the modern, diverse workforce by October 2024. This included improving private changing rooms, providing more space for communal areas, and creating dedicated spaces for valets. However, as the deadline passed, only 12 out of 60 racecourses had completed these required changes. The BHA now faces the challenge of pushing forward with an extended deadline of December 2027, with hopes that 37 of the courses will be up to standard by then.

Paul Struthers, the Chief Executive of the PJA, has expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of progress. While he acknowledged that the costs associated with such upgrades are substantial, he pointed out that for too long, female jockeys have been subjected to less-than-adequate and discriminatory facilities. The current situation, where female jockeys are still required to enter male changing rooms at the majority of racecourses, is deemed unacceptable by the PJA, as it creates both practical and safety concerns for female riders.

In response to the slow pace of change, the BHA expressed disappointment but acknowledged the financial and logistical challenges that racecourses are facing. The Racecourse Association (RCA) has estimated that the full overhaul will cost over £40 million, and the delays have been attributed to financial pressures and competing priorities for capital investment. Despite the setbacks, the RCA emphasized that the safety and welfare of participants have remained a priority, even if the facilities aren’t yet fully updated.

Brant Dunshea, acting Chief Executive of the BHA, reinforced the commitment to ensuring the required work is completed, noting that some interim measures have been put in place to maintain safeguarding standards until the updates are finished. Leicester Racecourse became the first to meet the new facility standards, opening a fully refurbished weighing room in December 2023, with other smaller courses, such as Fakenham and Ripon, also completing their upgrades.

However, many of the larger, more prominent racecourses, including Aintree and Cheltenham, have not yet fulfilled the required changes. This has led to criticism from figures like Lizzie Kelly, a retired Grade One-winning jockey, who highlighted the discomfort and awkwardness female jockeys face due to outdated layouts and poor facilities. Kelly made comparisons with how unthinkable it would be for female athletes in other sports, like tennis, to be required to change in male-only spaces.

The BHA has explained that factors such as listed building restrictions and floodplain locations have contributed to the delays. Still, it has emphasized that the responsibility lies with everyone involved to ensure these essential upgrades are completed. The BHA concluded that this project is a necessary step forward to meet the needs of the growing number of participants in British racing and to create an environment where all jockeys can perform at their best.

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