Bonecrack
May 20th 2008 09:06
Justine Henin retired from professional tennis this month. A sudden and surprising announcement given that she is only twenty-five years old and the top of her profession (world number one). At only 165 centimetres (jockey height) it is believed that the wear and tear of constant competition has worn her down both physically and mentally.
Justine had trained to be a tennis player from the age of five. A single-minded quest that would mean that education and other options and possibilities were secondary. Her focus was on tennis. And fortunately she was a resounding success.
A jockey must similarly be single-minded. Historically (for jockeys) education has been nothing more than an impediment and fled from as soon as possible. Stricter regulations ensure that no longer will there be a teenage Piggott riding, or a twelve year old Peter St Albans - but most likely it will still be the sole and only focus of a life, and failure to succeed will prove a disaster that will resonate for many years to come.
Last weekend Luke Nolen suffered a terrible fall in a race at Doomben and was unconscious for more than five minutes. He has undergone surgery and is expected to return to the saddle again sometime in the not-too-distant future. He suffered head and facial injuries, and it is suggested that he may also require a knee operation.
(photo: juno searle heraldsun)
Retirement for jockeys can come suddenly and with surprise. Even the most successful (Nolen won the 2007 Cox Plate aboard El Segundo) may lose a career and livelihood in a breath. Glenn Boss suffered two breaks to his neck when his mount slipped during a torrential rainstorm in Macau in 2002. He might just as easily have been confined to a wheelchair as be lauded with racing immortality after his subsequent three in a row Melbourne Cup victories aboard Makybe Diva. Glenn Boss is one of the most successful jockeys to ever ride in Australia, but one gloomy night in Macau his career and life (his wealth and satisfaction) may have proved stillborn instead of stellar. Similarly Damien Oliver has recovered from an horrific accident. Lucky or unlucky: for a punter it is a simple coin toss of profit and loss. But for an unlucky jockey the loss may prove devastating.
If blessed with ability and manageable weight a jockey may have a productive financial life from age fifteen to mid forties. But as with most professions, earnings at either end of a career are usually less than during those few peak years. And early (or eternal) retirement may only be one fall or accident away. One workplace mistake, one unforeseen accident or simply a loss of concentration.
More than three hundred jockeys have died in race falls since racing began in Australia over 160 years ago, And there is the trail of the seriously injured and maimed. It can be a profession of great financial rewards with all the advantages of fame, but few get the opportunity to end on their own terms with fortune and health intact and (as for Henin) the opportunity for a new life. For jockeys there is seldom a gold watch and slow transition into retirement.
A report released by the Labor government in Victoria in 2001 revealed that 60% of the jockeys surveyed had suffered financial hardship when retired, and for 70% this sudden end came unannounced (and unwelcome) because of injury, increasing weight, or just lack of interest (from trainers) and decreasing opportunity.
Jockeys find it difficult to adjust to life after racing. The friends they know are still engaged in the world or racing and early morning rise. A new career (a non-racing job of any type) means dislocation with the people and world in which they have grown up.
A jockey welfare program has evolved from the ‘Study into the Welfare of Retired Jockeys’ report of 2001. Two investment funds have been established to meet the special needs of jockeys. One is a superannuation scheme, the other is a career benefit scheme which is an ancillary scheme to meet the needs of an early retirement. Financial planning has also been made available and most importantly an education and training program that includes career transition, retraining programs and professional development programs.
Jockeys will experience many health problems pertaining to broken bones and physical stress with arthritis, hip and back complaints being common. And also a depressive mental state from losing connection to their essence for living.
Retirement will always be a difficult time for those who associate their sense of self (and self worth) with their profession and industry. Retirement plans and policy for jockeys had long been neglected. Any initiative that can improve the health and wealth outcomes of retired jockeys is long overdue and a great benefit to the athletes that keep our racing industry functioning.
The link below is to a (mini) documentary that deals with the dangers of horse racing. The sentiments relating to the bravery of the jockeys are well founded. Most people could only imagine the courage involved to be perched atop a horse travelling at breakneck speed and just one slip from death or disability. But this documentary also highlights the untimely deaths of racehorses, although in the context of this film, seemingly as a secondary concern. It never should be so.
Justine had trained to be a tennis player from the age of five. A single-minded quest that would mean that education and other options and possibilities were secondary. Her focus was on tennis. And fortunately she was a resounding success.
A jockey must similarly be single-minded. Historically (for jockeys) education has been nothing more than an impediment and fled from as soon as possible. Stricter regulations ensure that no longer will there be a teenage Piggott riding, or a twelve year old Peter St Albans - but most likely it will still be the sole and only focus of a life, and failure to succeed will prove a disaster that will resonate for many years to come.
Last weekend Luke Nolen suffered a terrible fall in a race at Doomben and was unconscious for more than five minutes. He has undergone surgery and is expected to return to the saddle again sometime in the not-too-distant future. He suffered head and facial injuries, and it is suggested that he may also require a knee operation.
Luke Nolen in horror fall
(photo: juno searle heraldsun)
Retirement for jockeys can come suddenly and with surprise. Even the most successful (Nolen won the 2007 Cox Plate aboard El Segundo) may lose a career and livelihood in a breath. Glenn Boss suffered two breaks to his neck when his mount slipped during a torrential rainstorm in Macau in 2002. He might just as easily have been confined to a wheelchair as be lauded with racing immortality after his subsequent three in a row Melbourne Cup victories aboard Makybe Diva. Glenn Boss is one of the most successful jockeys to ever ride in Australia, but one gloomy night in Macau his career and life (his wealth and satisfaction) may have proved stillborn instead of stellar. Similarly Damien Oliver has recovered from an horrific accident. Lucky or unlucky: for a punter it is a simple coin toss of profit and loss. But for an unlucky jockey the loss may prove devastating.
If blessed with ability and manageable weight a jockey may have a productive financial life from age fifteen to mid forties. But as with most professions, earnings at either end of a career are usually less than during those few peak years. And early (or eternal) retirement may only be one fall or accident away. One workplace mistake, one unforeseen accident or simply a loss of concentration.
More than three hundred jockeys have died in race falls since racing began in Australia over 160 years ago, And there is the trail of the seriously injured and maimed. It can be a profession of great financial rewards with all the advantages of fame, but few get the opportunity to end on their own terms with fortune and health intact and (as for Henin) the opportunity for a new life. For jockeys there is seldom a gold watch and slow transition into retirement.
A report released by the Labor government in Victoria in 2001 revealed that 60% of the jockeys surveyed had suffered financial hardship when retired, and for 70% this sudden end came unannounced (and unwelcome) because of injury, increasing weight, or just lack of interest (from trainers) and decreasing opportunity.
Jockeys find it difficult to adjust to life after racing. The friends they know are still engaged in the world or racing and early morning rise. A new career (a non-racing job of any type) means dislocation with the people and world in which they have grown up.
A jockey welfare program has evolved from the ‘Study into the Welfare of Retired Jockeys’ report of 2001. Two investment funds have been established to meet the special needs of jockeys. One is a superannuation scheme, the other is a career benefit scheme which is an ancillary scheme to meet the needs of an early retirement. Financial planning has also been made available and most importantly an education and training program that includes career transition, retraining programs and professional development programs.
Jockeys will experience many health problems pertaining to broken bones and physical stress with arthritis, hip and back complaints being common. And also a depressive mental state from losing connection to their essence for living.
Retirement will always be a difficult time for those who associate their sense of self (and self worth) with their profession and industry. Retirement plans and policy for jockeys had long been neglected. Any initiative that can improve the health and wealth outcomes of retired jockeys is long overdue and a great benefit to the athletes that keep our racing industry functioning.
The link below is to a (mini) documentary that deals with the dangers of horse racing. The sentiments relating to the bravery of the jockeys are well founded. Most people could only imagine the courage involved to be perched atop a horse travelling at breakneck speed and just one slip from death or disability. But this documentary also highlights the untimely deaths of racehorses, although in the context of this film, seemingly as a secondary concern. It never should be so.
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