Review Of Weight Structures For Flat Racing At its meeting today the HRI Board reviewed the weight structures of all Flat races following a detailed report from its Programmes Committee. The HRI Board accepted the Committee´s conclusion that there was a strong rationale to increase weights where possible in order to improve the long-term health of jockeys, particularly apprentices who in some instances have large claims to draw and whose medical findings were the most worrying, given that it would not materially affect competitiveness. Commenting on the changes Jason Morris, Director of Racing said: 'The HRI Programmes Committee considered submissions from many parties including the Jockeys Association, Trainers Association and RACE, in addition to the Body Weights report*, and these changes are based on thorough consideration of all the issues raised. All parties agreed on the need to provide greater education and support structures for jockeys in relation to nutrition, lifestyle, physiology, psychology and physiotherapy.' HRI has therefore agreed the following changes for 2006, which will see an increase in the weights for 98% of flat races in Ireland, which will come into effect starting at the Curragh for the opening day of the season on Sunday 26th March (unless otherwise indicated below): HRI has increased the minimum weight in flat handicaps by 4lb from 8 stone to 8st 4lb. It was noted that the number of rides below 8st 4lb had reduced from 1,365 (or 12.2% of all rides) in 2003 to a figure of 597 (or 5.3%) in 2005. HRI has increased the minimum weight in flat Weight-For-Age (WFA) races from 8st to 8st 7lb. These represent 52% of all flat races. HRI has increased the minimum weight in open maidens (presently 8st 11lb) by 1lb for 2yo maidens (to 8st 12lb), by 3lb for 3yo only and 3yos & up maidens (to 9 stone), and by 5lb for 4yos & up maidens (to 9st 2lb). The basic weights in 2yo maiden auction races have been raised by 2lb, with a new minimum of 8st 7lb. HRI has set 8st 12lb as the standard minimum weight in Black Type races (71 of the 102 races), with 8st 11lb to be retained in a number of the most important events (13 races) and weights down to 8st 7lb in a few cases. The top weight will be capped at 10st in all Black Type and Conditions races in order to sustain their quality. HRI has left the top weights in handicaps largely unchanged, although on days when there are clashing cards with flat races, the top weight in all aged handicaps may be increased by up to 4lb to 10st 4lb, while the maximum top weight in WFA races (excluding Amateur races) has been set at 10st 5lb. HRI has agreed that in flat handicaps it will raise the weights to the maximum weight which it stipulates within the race conditions. (To apply from start of May) HRI has extended this new policy in relation to raising the weights to National Hunt handicaps, but the rise will be capped at 11st 7lb rather than the maximum weight stipulated in the race conditions. (To apply from start of May) HRI has amended the balloting sequence in flat handicaps to assist better quality 3yos in getting a run in all aged races, by eliminating based on ratings rather than weights amongst those horses in the handicap when the weights are published. (To apply from start of May) HRI has agreed to introduce a split level lower entry fee for lower rated horses in the most valuable flat handicaps (i.e. 0-100 or Open), cutting their initial entry fee in half (from 0.6% to 0.3%), but still leaving the overall cost of running the same. (To apply from start of May) HRI will review the position in relation to the minimum weights and all the other related weight structure changes at the end of the season in the light of more comprehensive medical research to be undertaken this year. * 'An Investigation into Appropriate Weight Standards in Top Level Flat and National Hunt Jockeys', a HRI funded report by Dr Giles Warrington, Dr Adrian McGoldrick and Dr Michael Griffin.
