Barry Geraghty: closure of racecourse saunas will not stop jockeys from sweating

Barry Geraghty believes the decision to permanently close saunas on Irish racecourses will not stop riders from sweating in order to make weight, saying he would have preferred for them to remain open at tracks if still riding today.

It was revealed on Monday that saunas, which have been closed on Irish tracks since the beginning of the pandemic, would not be reopened. Instead, an additional 1lb will be added to jockeys' body protector allowance to create a total safety allowance of 4lb.

Irish Jockeys Association secretary Andrew Coonan said that many riders would like to see the saunas reopened but the organisation would have to be guided by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's senior medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh.

Leading jockeys Denis O'Regan and Shane Foley backed the IHRB's decision, but Cheltenham Festival-winning rider Sean Flanagan disagreed and resigned from the IJA over its handling of the issue.

Geraghty, who retired from the saddle in 2020, told the Racing Post: "Some feel a benefit as regards their weight being more stable now because they're not losing weight quickly, but I always preferred having the option of a sauna if I was going to a racecourse with a few pounds to lose.

Sean Flanagan: unhappy with decision to permanently close racecourse saunasCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"If a rider feels they need to have the sauna taken away for them to manage themselves differently, that's a reflection on him or her."

Geraghty added: "Sean Flanagan mentioned a rider at Navan the other day having to ride in one of the early races on the card before going away from the racecourse to sweat and return for a later ride.

"I've been in that situation [of needing to lose weight during races]. Personally, I did some running and always found it better to have a sauna there, but there's a case to be made for both arguments."

Ruby Walsh recently called for saunas to be opened on racecourses, suggesting that riders can be tempted to lower their minimum riding weights when given extra weight allowances.

Geraghty concurred with those sentiments, describing giving riders an additional allowance as simply "moving the goalposts".

He said: "Plenty has improved for riders in recent years, but I still think people will sweat away from the track. I had to do it myself over the years, especially when I was younger.

"Getting into the car with the heaters on can be a bigger health risk. I dread to think what could happen to a rider trying to sweat while rushing on his way to the races after maybe riding out four lots that morning."

Read more:

Flanagan leaves jockeys' association over decision to permanently close saunas

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