Jockeys 'blindsided' by BHA decision to scrap weight allowance says PJ McDonald

Frankie Dettori and Jamie Spencer (left) watch a replay in the weighing room before being called into a stewards' inquiry at AscotCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The row between jockeys and the BHA intensified on Wednesday with PJ McDonald, joint president of the Professional Jockeys Association, saying riders had been "blindsided" by the authority's decision to scrap weight allowances and instead boost riding weights by 2lb from the start of the Flat turf season.

McDonald said jockeys "were better off the old way with the saunas" and suggested some would go back to wearing sweat suits in their cars.

Top rider Tom Marquand said the 3lb weight allowance, brought in because jockeys could not use saunas because of Covid restrictions, had been "life-changing" and that there was little understanding in the weighing room why it could not continue.

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Published on 26 January 2022inNews

Last updated 19:41, 26 January 2022

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