More must be done to protect the mental health of jockeys and those who suffer life changing injuries, an MP has said.
With horseracing “undoubtedly the finest sport there is”, Shipley MP Philip Davies called for a Parliamentary debate into the sport and the bravery of jockeys.
He said: “Horse racing plays a part in many communities local economy but it would not be possible without jockeys and their bravery. One in ten jump jockeys rides ends in a fall, Freddy Tylicki, a flat jockey recently suffered life changing injuries from a fall on the flat and Mark Enright recently spoke about the mental health problems he has faced and other jockeys have faced particularly in keeping their weight down to ride horses.”
Yorkshire boasts more courses than any other region in the UK and hosts more than 170 meetings each year.
Mr Davies said: “We need to see what government can do to help the horse racing industry tackle some of these matters.”
Commons Leader David Lidington said: “There are millions of people in this country who enjoy horseracing in all its forms and admire the guts and determination of jockeys. It is a very risky occupation but it is an occupation for which those jockeys volunteer and they accept the risks as part of their work but also derive huge pleasure and accomplishment from doing it.”