Horse Racing Ireland announces extended break for Irish jump jockeys in June

Irish jump jockeys will have a 24-day holiday in June after Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) extended the break for professional jump riders from June 7 to June 30 following consultation with the Irish Jockeys Association (IJA).

The eight meetings between those dates will be restricted to conditionals and riders who have not ridden more than 15 winners in the previous 12 months to June 3, 2021.

There is no jump racing from June 19 until June 30, providing a 12-day break for all jockeys.

Jason Morris, HRI’s director of racing, said: "These changes will apply to the eight jumps meetings beginning at Listowel on Monday, June 7 through to the fixture at Down Royal on Friday, June 18.

Horse Racing Ireland director of racing Jason Morris

"As there is no jumps racing from that date until the meeting at Tipperary on Thursday, July 1, this doubles the break for our leading jump jockeys from 12 to 24 days, while at the same time increasing opportunities for other riders for the early part of that period."

He added: "The jumps fixtures immediately after this week’s Punchestown festival at Down Royal on Monday, May 3 and at Ballinrobe the following day are already restricted to conditional riders and those that rode less than 15 winners last season.

Following on from these changes, the traditional three-meeting break afforded to the leading jump jockeys in early September will be discontinued.

Morris said: "These altered race conditions were proposed by the IJA, and both the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners and Irish Racehorse Trainers Association are supportive of these changes."

Jennifer Pugh, the IHRB’s senior medical officer, welcomed the move, saying: "I am delighted to see this extended break for the leading jump jockeys in June which will allow them to recharge both physically and mentally."

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