HBLB to provide financial support for jockeys

The Horserace Betting Levy Board has stepped in to provide financial support to an insurance scheme for British jockeys.

UK.- The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) will contribute to the career-ending injury insurance scheme for British jockeys which found itself without funding at the end of November.

The board has stepped in with an £80,000 grant to allow the insurance scheme to continue for another six months until new funding can be secured. 

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Further funds will be contributed by the Professional Jockeys’ Association (PJA), which operates the scheme for its members. 

The PJA is looking for a longer-term sponsor or other funding from the sector after the scheme lapsed in November. It has been unable to find funding due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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PJA chief executive Paul Struthers said: “The PJA has now committed close to £500,000 out of our own reserves to keep our jockeys covered for the last two years and our members can now be assured that they are covered for a career ending injury for the next six months whilst we try to find a sustainable, long-term solution for this vital scheme.”

HBLB chairman Paul Darling said: “This scheme has been in place for almost 10 years, paid for by commercial sponsorship and contributions from jockeys. It provided a critical safety net for jockeys, for whom the risk of serious injury is part of everyday normality.

“It is essential that fresh funding is found to continue this scheme and I am sure that racing organisations will play an active part in ensuring that the scheme is continued.”