Levy Board Comes to Rescue of Jockey Insurance Scheme
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Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Jockeys make their way to the paddock at Sandown Racecourse
The Professional Jockeys Association has welcomed the news the Levy Board has agreed a contribution to ensure the continuation of the career-ending insurance scheme for jockeys for a further six months while future funding for the scheme is sought.
The Levy Board's grant of up to £80,000 (US$104,800) will be added to money provided by the PJA, which arranges the scheme on behalf of its members. It is only a short-term fix however, and the PJA will continue to look for the sponsor or alternative funding from within the sport needed in order to sustain the scheme.
PJA chief executive Paul Struthers said: "We are very grateful to the Levy Board for this generous grant, in particular to chairman Paul Darling and chief executive Alan Delmonte, which will allow us to continue the conversations we are having with both potential commercial partners and the wider sport.
"The PJA has now committed close to half a million pounds out of our own reserves to keep our jockeys covered for the last two years and our members can now be assured they are covered for a career-ending injury for the next six months while we try to find a sustainable, long-term solution for this vital scheme."
The Levy Board has emphasized its contribution is a one-off. 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.
"I and others at the Levy Board were deeply concerned when the scheme had to lapse at the end of November after the PJA had been unable to find a new sponsor in the current economic climate, or other funding from within racing. The HBLB has stepped in to ensure the scheme is immediately reinstated.
"I stress this is a one-off contribution. We will now keep a close liaison with the PJA as it looks to find a new sponsor. It is essential fresh funding is found to continue this scheme and I am sure racing organizations will play an active part in ensuring the scheme is continued."