Recent study finds falls and injuries across all Irish horse racing decreasing

Alannah Reville is a certified athletic therapist currently working with the Irish Injured Jockeys.

Last year, she completed a master’s degree in DCU, during which she carried out her thesis on fall and injury statistics in Irish horseracing covering the period 2016 - 2024.

Following completion of her research, she submitted the work for publication in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, where it has now been accepted and published online.

This research represents the first updated analysis of fall and injury statistics in Irish horseracing in over 10 years.

The Study recommends that more targeted approaches may be needed to address persistent injury risk in amateur racing.

Findings - falls and injuries across all Irish horseracing decreasing

A Dublin City University (DCU) and Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) study examining fall and injury incidence in Irish horseracing has found that fall and injury risk varies between types of horseracing, with amateurs at a higher risk of falling, jump jockeys at a higher risk of injury, and flat jockeys at a higher risk of becoming injured as a result of a fall.

The study, titled ‘Chasing safety: Race-day falls and injuries in Irish professional and amateur horseracing from 2016 to 2024’ examines fall and injury data recorded by Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB)-appointed medical doctors using a standardised injury report form at every Irish race meeting between 2016 and 2024.

The study’s lead author Alannah Reville said:

“Injury rates in Irish horseracing have decreased since previous studies, which may be due to the implementation of new safety measures such as upgraded body protectors, increased weight requirements and the introduction of mouthguards.”

“However, amateur jockeys sustained a larger proportion of serious injuries such as fractures and concussion compared to professionals, although it is unclear whether this reflects increased risk or underreporting of minor injuries.

“Fall rates did not change since the previous study, indicating that existing prevention strategies may no longer yield additional reductions and highlights the need for more targeted approaches."

Key findings include:

• Over the course of the study (2016 - 2024), there was a 7% decrease in injuries/1000 falls in jump and a 10% decrease in flat racing. Falls and injuries decreased across all Irish horseracing since the previous study (7 - 28%).
• Amateurs had the highest fall incidence across Irish horseracing (110/1000 rides), and also had the highest proportion of serious injuries such as fractures and concussions, highlighting the need for greater attention towards amateurs.
• Jump jockeys had the highest total injury incidence (8/1000 rides)
• Flat jockeys had the highest injury incidence per fall (294/1000 falls)
• Amateurs had the highest fracture (3/1000 rides) and concussion (1/1000 rides) rates, whilst flat jockeys had the highest fracture (67/1000 falls) and concussion (59/1000 falls) rates per fall.
• The upper limb was most commonly injured in jump (37%) and amateur (52%) racing, and the lower limb (30%) in flat racing. Contusions were most common in jump (33%) and flat (32%) racing, whilst fractures were most common in amateur (49%) racing.

'Persistent Challenge'

Professor Siobhan O'Connor, study Project Lead said:

“Fall rates, while not increasing, do remain a persistent challenge for the industry. Following on from this research, through our partnership with the IHRB, and funded by DCU and the Jockey Accident Fund, we are leveraging 15 years of comprehensive racing data to develop a predictive model.

“By further identifying risk factors, we aim to deliver data-driven safety strategies that protect both horse and rider.”

About the author Alannah Reville

Niall Tierney spoke to Alannah Reville to find out what inspired her to carry out this research.

What gave you the inspiration to research this and to do it for your thesis?

I grew up riding horses and always had an interest in riding-related injuries.

During my undergrad, I came across all of the research Dr Siobhan O’Connor has done in Irish horseracing and I knew that’s what I wanted to do for my thesis.

I went to Siobhan and asked if we could work on something related to injuries in horse racing and thankfully she had an idea for a project for me.

What did you learn throughout your study and how has your research impacted your views on horse racing?

I was extremely lucky that while I was completing my thesis I was also on work experience in the jockey rehab centre in RACE.

So while I was seeing all the stats and numbers on the page, I was also able to see the true burden that these injuries place on the jockeys.

While I’ve always been involved with horses, I never had much knowledge on racing, but with the research and working with the jockeys I became a lot more interested.

As you progress in your career is there anything else you’d like to achieve?

At the minute I’m really enjoying working in the different roles that I currently have.

As well as working in the jockey rehab centre, I work as an athletic therapist in private practice, and I also do 1:1 and group strength and conditioning, so my calendar is pretty full.