Irish jockeys

Horse Racing Ireland will increase the minimum and maximum weights allowed for jockeys under both codes. From Feb. 1, the minimum weight will be increased three pounds to 8st 7lb for flat races, four pounds to 10st for National Hunt races and three pounds to 10st 7lb for Qualified Rider races. The changes were decided based upon recommendations from a cross-industry Jockeys Supports Working Group set up by the HRI Programmes Committee. Dr. Jennifer Pugh, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's Senior Medical Officer, said, "I very much welcome these changes...

Following the news that the Irish Government has banned UK travel, no Irish-trained horses or Irish jockeys will compete in the UK through Dec. 31, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Tuesday. The travel ban will expire on New Year's Eve. In addition, declarations for UK-trained horses to race in Ireland will not be accepted during that time frame. "The concern from Government is very clear: these are exceptional times and a travel ban with the UK is a once-in-a-generation occurrence," said Horse Racing Ireland Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh. "Irish racing...

Jockeys competing in any group or graded race no longer need to self-isolate upon their return to Ireland, the Racing Post reported on Monday. Previously, only jockeys competing at the Grade or Group 1 level were exempt from quarantine. However, jockeys are still required to undergo a trio of COVID-19 tests-prior to traveling and twice once they travel back to Ireland. "It's positive news," said Irish Jockeys Association Secretary Andrew Coonan to Racing Post. "Flat riders travelling abroad will be helped by this but principally at the moment it will...

Irish jockey Danny Sheehy is now the third rider to test positive for COVID-19. His brother Mikey tested positive this past weekend. Mikey is a housemate of Shane Crosse, who was positive for the virus on Friday. "Following precautionary tests taken over the weekend, jockey Danny Sheehy has returned a positive test for COVID-19," Horse Racing Ireland said in a statement. "He was asymptomatic prior to the test and is now self-isolating. Contact tracing continues. "All other tests taken over the weekend, including contact tracing and those at the yard...