JOCKEYS who have ridden 20 winners or more during the recent turf flat season are being given a long Christmas holiday.

Following representations from the Irish Jockeys’ Association, Horse Racing Ireland has agreed to create four-week break for the leading flat jockeys, which will run from December 22nd to January 18th.

The three Dundalk meetings on January 5th, 7th and 14th will be restricted to races for either apprentice riders who claim a 5lb, 7lb or 10lb allowance, or for jockeys who rode less than 20 winners during the previous turf season.

Jason Morris of HRI said: “In 2021 HRI extended the break for our leading jump jockeys from 12 to 24 days during June, which was very well received.

“Likewise, we have doubled the break period for the leading flat jockeys from 14 to 28 days, while at the same time increasing opportunities for other riders at the start of the year.”

Jennifer Pugh, senior medical officer with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, commented: “Following on from the extended break for National Hunt jockeys in June of this year, it is encouraging to see HRI take a similar approach for flat jockeys.

“With a busy all-weather season now in place, in what was typically the off-season for flat jockeys, they now remain busy for 12 months of the year, with no opportune time for rest and recuperation while racing continues.

“The mental health issues and high level of burnout faced by jockeys have been well documented by the Irish Jockey Research Group, so it is welcome to see the findings and recommendations of these studies come to fruition to further enhance jockey wellbeing.”