Heated debate could be on cards but PJA wants racecourse saunas to stay closed

The Professional Jockeys Association hopes racecourse saunas will be permanently consigned to the past as it awaits a decision that will significantly influence the way riders manage their weight.

As a result of Covid requirements, Britain's weighing room saunas have been closed since the sport resumed last June, with jockeys instead handed a new 3lb weight allowance.

The BHA and PJA this week revealed the protocol limiting jockeys to one meeting a day will continue through 2022. However, it is believed extending the sauna ban and associated weight concession could be more complicated, with a BHA spokesperson stating that the imminent consultation process is set to highlight "a variety of views" among different stakeholders.

Speaking to the Racing Post earlier this year, Jamie Spencer welcomed the sauna ban, and said: "I would say the saunas won't ever come back – and they shouldn't come back, either.

"If you're taking off weight 15 minutes before a race your brain is frazzled. It affects your temper as well. People who would previously have snapped very easily have become much more level. You don't see fellas as angry as they used to be. It would be ridiculous to go back to the old ways."

Jamie Spencer: 'It would be ridiculous to go back to the old ways'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Echoing those comments on Thursday, Dale Gibson, PJA executive director (racing), said: "Without trying to imply nobody else should have a say on this, the vast majority of the input should come from jockeys because it's a jockey welfare issue.

"The riders have got used to not having saunas and, as somebody said to me recently, why would you dehydrate yourself ten minutes before going out to ride?

Jamie Spencer: 'If you don't like the way I ride, don't bet on me or don't book me for a ride' (Members' Club)

"I was lucky, in that I didn't have to get into a sauna in 24 years, but lots of other people have needed them and used them for their weight management. Helped by the three-pound allowance, and combined with the one-meeting protocol, those people are now better for having saunas taken away from them."

Gibson added: "Whether or not the allowance remains at three pounds is debatable, but I feel it has to be a minimum of two pounds because one pound is neither here nor there."

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Dual champion jockey Oisin Murphy has given his take on the one-meeting protocol, arguing it has positives and negatives.

Murphy said: "It opens up opportunities for lots of riders, and for the vast majority it's brilliant, but it can be a little frustrating when Qatar Racing or Andrew Balding have horses at an afternoon and evening meeting.

"I wouldn't want to take chances away from other riders, I just like to be working a little harder than I'm allowed to. It's perhaps better for our mental health but every jockey thrives off success and winners."

Read more on this issue:

Ban on jockeys riding at multiple meetings to remain in place through 2022

Jockeys keen for one-meeting restriction to become a permanent 'game changer'

PJ McDonald calls on jockeys to see 'bigger picture' over one-meeting rule

PJ McDonald: 'What we had been doing on a daily basis is absolutely crazy (Members' Club)

Now jockeys have been freed a return to the old dangerous norm must not happen (Members' Club)

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