THEY’RE performing miracles these days at the Irish Injured Jockeys’ rehabilitation suite at the RACE campus in Kildare town.

Top jump jockey Mark Walsh hasn’t been able to run in a year due to a leg injury, yet was running with ease recently on a new contraption purchased by the IIJ called the ‘AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill’.

Costing north of €60,000, the treadmill allows users to walk and run while supporting only a fraction of their body weight. This feature is particularly beneficial for jockeys recovering from injuries, as it minimises stress on joints, bones, and soft tissues. By reducing the effective body weight, the treadmill enables exercise without exacerbating existing injuries. This allows jockeys to commence rehabilitation sooner.

IIJ chairman Ruby Walsh stated: “The introduction of this equipment at our rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys allows us to use the treadmill as an integral part of our comprehensive recovery programmes. By integrating this technology, our centre offers state-of-the-art services that facilitate a quicker and safer journey back to peak physical condition.”

Michael Higgins, IIJ chief executive, added: “We are continuously seeking ways to support injured jockeys, and thanks to the incredibly generous donors to our charity, we have acquired this equipment. Three jockeys used it yesterday and they found it amazing. It’s like walking on the moon. Jockeys in Britain have access to a similar machine and we are just catching up.”