Sauna ban: Skilled Jockeys Affiliation urges BHA and racecourses to rethink closures

The Skilled Jockeys Affiliation (PJA) has known as on the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and racecourses to rethink their place on saunas.

In an announcement issued on Tuesday, the PJA mentioned the everlasting closure of the on-course services “has created bodily and psychological wellbeing points for jockeys that far outweigh any perceived threat of dehydration by sauna use”.

Minimal driving weights for each Flat and Soar jockeys had been raised 2lb by the BHA final yr after the choice was taken on the finish of 2021 to take away saunas fully from racecourses.

A 3lb allowance was launched in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic to compensate for the dearth of saunas, however the PJA now says it ought to “have insisted on cast-iron ensures from the BHA and others that the Covid weight allowance would stay in power earlier than accepting the removing of saunas”.

The assertion goes on to say: “The PJA is in little doubt, having consulted with senior psychologists, that probably the most pressing medical situation threatening the well being of jockeys is that of the anxiousness and stress related to the necessity to make weight.

“Jockeys are utilizing a spread of inappropriate and extra dangerous strategies together with very popular baths, use of sweat fits whereas driving, limiting fluid consumption for lengthy intervals of time, and even flipping.”

The PJA is looking for brand spanking new analysis into saunas to “examine the regulated use of on-course saunas within the jockeys’ office, perceive the bodily and psychological impression, and contemplate the jockeys’ lack of company that has been triggered by the lack of saunas”.