PJA president sets 'brilliant example' by giving up rides due to Covid-19 fear

Even the president has to abide by Covid-19 regulations – that was the message from the Professional Jockeys Association after PJ McDonald gave up his rides on Monday.

The organisation underlined the importance of strict adherence to pandemic protocols as its Flat president came off seven booked mounts at Newcastle as his children were ill and awaiting tests for the virus.

It came after recent calls by BHA chief executive Nick Rust and chief medical adviser Dr Jerry Hill for racing professionals to follow health guidelines and not to go to work if they are unwell, and to have tests and come forward so as to minimise the risk of cross-infection.

McDonald said: "My children had been unwell for a week with cold-like symptoms and by Sunday had developed a chesty cough. Whilst I was pretty confident it was just a cold, it wasn't going away, so I sought advice from NHS Direct, who recommended a Covid test.

"We therefore had them tested yesterday and received the results today, which we were relieved to find out were negative for Covid.

"I spoke with Jerry Hill yesterday morning and because my children needed to have a test and had been unwell for seven days, we agreed it would be sensible for me not to ride yesterday until the tests come back.

Dr Jerry Hill: 'PJ has done exactly the right thing'

"It's important that as jockeys we take our responsibility to racing seriously, and it's better to be safe than sorry. If that means we have to miss a day or two of racing, it's hard but we've got to do it.

"Now that the tests have come back negative I'm good to go again and I’d like to thank the NHS and Jerry for their advice and support.”

Hill welcomed McDonald's actions as an example of how jockeys should act. "We're extremely grateful to PJ for taking these steps," he said. "He has done exactly the right thing and this is a brilliant example of someone acting responsibly on behalf of the sport.

"It's essential that we're all extra vigilant at this time as an outbreak of the virus amongst the sport’s participants could have drastic consequences.

"I would urge anyone who has been contact with someone who is under the weather, or has returned a positive test, to take the same steps as PJ and get in touch with me so that we can talk the situation through confidentially and take any necessary actions to protect your health and the health of those around you."

In a further example of how protocols are working former jockey Andrew Thornton, who is now a Sky Sports Racing presenter, and apprentice Laura Pearson have been given racecourse exclusions for attending meetings without completing the Racing2Learn course, as required by the BHA’s Covid-19 requirements.

Pearson, who declared on a questionnaire that she had completed the course, has been excluded for 14 days from September 30, and Thornton for seven.

Thornton said: "It was a completely innocent mistake. I thought I had done it and I hadn't – and it wasn't picked up."

More to read:

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Racing must 'do the right thing' in fight against Covid says BHA's Jerry Hill

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