Godolphin U-turn as they scrap ban on work-riders who exceed weight limit

Godolphin, who faced criticism this month when it was revealed they were imposing a strict weight limit that would have prevented work-riders from being allowed to ride out if breached, have performed a U-turn on the policy.

The initial staff notice, dated January 8 and posted on social media against Godolphin regulations, informed employees that any rider above 67kgs (10st 7lb) at the monthly weighing of staff, which had been due to start on February 1, would immediately cease riding and be allocated temporary duties in the yard.

However, in a statement on Tuesday Godolphin said they would no longer impose the weight limit and would instead leave the matter to the discretion of their trainers.

It read: "Godolphin has given the matter of rider weight considerable thought and our trainers will be using their discretion and experience on this matter in the future.”

Following the revelation of the weight limit, Godolphin had insisted: “The few riders who are not below 67kg are carefully assisted in losing weight in a sensible and healthy way.”

But Dan Martin, senior nutritionist for the Professional Jockeys Association, claimed the team's timescale of just over three weeks between the notification and the originally planned first weigh-in could encourage some riders to resort to "the dark arts", including self-induced vomiting.

In addition, George McGrath, chief executive of the National Association of Racing Staff, had said: “Any trainer, assistant trainer or head person will tell you about the rider that weighs 50kg but needs a forklift truck to get a leg up, while the rider who may weigh in excess of 67kg just floats up on the horse. Put simply, it’s not how heavy you are, it’s how heavy you ride."

Responding to the change of policy, McGrath said on Tuesday: "It's positive that Godolphin have backtracked a little. I'm not dealing with anyone at the moment who's potentially losing their job at Godolphin due to the weight they're riding out at, but Godolphin have probably been pulled to their senses a little bit regarding the original staff notice."

George McGrath: welcomed policy changeCredit: Dan Abraham

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