PJA chief says trainer-apprentice finances need resolving now

The Professional Jockeys Association has argued the failure of some Flat trainers to follow an agreement requiring them to pay expenses to apprentices must be resolved "once and for all" as two of the sport's top jumps trainers explained why they take no money from young riders.

On Tuesday Andrew Balding and Richard Hannon revealed they no longer plan to hire new apprentices at a time when the PJA is urging the BHA to reduce from 50 per cent to 25 per cent the portion of 5lb and 3lb apprentices' earnings trainers receive every time one of their employees' mounts picks up prize-money, regardless of who they were riding for at the time.

The PJA is willing to have expense commitments dropped, having so far been unsuccessful in attempts to get the BHA to better police a system jockeys allege is being abused.

Andrew Balding: will not take on new apprentices for the foreseeable futureCredit: Alan Crowhurst

PJA chief executive Paul Struthers said: "There are many excellent employers of apprentices, and we understand and accept some of the arguments being put forward by the training community.

"However, the simple fact is there is a formal, signed agreement that trainers and apprentices jointly sign, as required by the Rules of Racing, which sets out what is contractually expected of both trainer and apprentice.

"This obliges a split of expenses when an apprentice is claiming 7lb and 5lb, including the payment of travel expenses at 22.5p per mile.

"It also confirms apprentices are required to pay all their expenses when claiming 3lb, reflecting that they should still be in receipt of a full wage despite the fact they are likely to be away from their employer’s yard for substantial periods of time.

"While, of course, there are those who adhere to this agreement, and even some who go well beyond what is required, the fundamental problem is too many see the terms and conditions contained within the agreement as optional.

"That isn’t right or fair, and from a safeguarding perspective needs to be resolved once and for all."

The National Trainers Federation defends the differing system in place in jumping – conditionals keep all prize-money and lose only half a riding fee to trainers when claiming 7lb – by saying conditionals arrive in yards at a more advanced stage with shorter careers to come.

Paul Nicholls: 'In my opinion, the system we have in jumps racing is the right one'Credit: Edward Whitaker

However, both multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls and Nigel Twiston-Davies, like many others, do not take that 7lb riding fee cut.

Nicholls said: "I always have five or six conditionals and we always do the same thing by signing over my half of their riding fee the minute they start here. I've never taken any of their money.

"For me, in this day and age, that's the only fair thing to do. I dare say that's what the other jumps trainers do as well.

"In my opinion, the system we have in jumps racing is the right one. We're not entitled to take any of the conditionals' prize-money and I wouldn't take it even if the rules said we were entitled to a share."

Twiston-Davies said: "I could keep 50 per cent, but I always sign it straight over to them. Their racing lives are short enough and I don't think I deserve the money.

"I've never taken a penny off them, which is probably stupid of me, as I've had Sam, Willy, Ryan Hatch and Jamie Bargary as conditionals, plus many before them. The way we do it works superbly for us. I've never advertised for staff in my life."

Nigel Twiston-Davies: 'I've never taken a penny off them.'Credit: Edward Whitaker

PJA board member Michael Hills admits he has sympathy with trainers but supports the organisation's desire to see Britain emulate the finance split used by Racing Victoria in Australia.

"I can see both sides of the argument," said Hills. "The record of Richard Hannon and Andrew Balding at producing jockeys is exceptionally good.

"Richard also made a good point about apprentices receiving a wage but still being allowed out of the yard some mornings.

"However, as a jockey coach, I know for a fact some trainers take advantage of their apprentices."

Hills added: "I've seen so many apprentices do very well initially but end up with nothing. The money they earn in those early days can be so important. Even the insurance on a car costs a fortune.

"The PJA has been asking the BHA to do something for a long time and the Racing Post has brought the subject to light.

"My view is once apprentices have got past the 7lb stage they should get to keep more of their prize-money.

"At that point they are more experienced, they'll be using jockey coaches and have to be considered proper apprentices. They should be keeping 75 per cent of their prize-money."