Jockeys’ Union Highlights “Inadequate” Facilities for Female Riders as Majority of Racecourses Miss Upgrade Deadline

The jockeys’ union has reported that its female members are encountering “inadequate safeguarding and discriminatory facilities” after 80% of British racecourses failed to meet a deadline for modernizing and upgrading their weighing rooms. Only 12 of 60 racecourses completed the targeted upgrade work by the original deadline. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) had established an October 2024 target for all racecourses to enhance their facilities, aiming to “meet the current and future needs of jockeys of all ages and genders”. These improvements were intended to include the provision of additional private changing and shower facilities, communal eating areas and warm-up areas, and new communal working areas for valets. However, the BHA disclosed on Tuesday that only 12 of the 60 courses had finished the required work by the deadline. The authority now anticipates that 37 racecourses will have completed these upgrades by a revised deadline of December 2027. Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), commented: “We do understand that this project comes at a cost, but the reality is that for far too long at too many courses our female members have had to tolerate inadequate safeguarding and discriminatory facilities.” He further stated: “It is completely unacceptable that our female members are still required to enter the male changing room at the majority of racecourses in order to do their job.” The BHA expressed its “disappointment” regarding the pace of change, attributing it to financial and planning challenges faced by racecourses. The Racecourse Association (RCA) indicated that the project requires an investment exceeding £40 million and that “given the significant financial headwinds faced by racecourses the timelines have been altered to reflect this major factor”. The RCA also added: “Throughout this project, the safeguarding and welfare of participants has been at the forefront.” It further emphasized: “Whilst the finalised upgrades of all weighing rooms will take time, it is important to re-emphasise that all safeguarding requirements have and will continue to be met.” Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the BHA, remarked: “Of course the BHA is disappointed this work hasn’t been concluded more quickly.” He continued: “But in saying that we have got to acknowledge and recognise those financial headwinds and competing capital investment expectations that the industry is placing on racecourses.” Dunshea also stated that the BHA is “committed to working collaboratively with the racecourses and the PJA to get the work done” and that there are “interim measures that racecourses must commit to” until the work is completed. Leicester Racecourse was the initial course to meet the targets, having opened its refurbished weighing room in December 2023. The PJA commented: “Those courses that have completed their works deserve praise, particularly small independent racecourses such as Fakenham, Leicester, Pontefract, Ripon and Taunton.” The Newmarket July course stands as the sole racecourse hosting a major racing festival that has met the targets, while venues like Cheltenham and Aintree are among those that have not. In 2021, Lizzie Kelly, a retired Grade One-winning jockey, informed the Daily Mail: “The physical layout of many weighing rooms can lead a young female jockey into potentially uncomfortable situations. That is a massive issue and needs to be addressed urgently.” She further questioned: “Can you imagine the uproar if Emma Raducanu had to go into the men’s changing room before a match at Wimbledon?” The BHA attributed the slow progress to “planning and building restrictions and the availability of useable space,” noting that some weighing rooms are listed buildings and others are situated on or near floodplains. However, the BHA concluded: “The onus is on everyone with a stake in this project to now make this a reality across the country. It’s what our participants deserve and what British racing expects.”