Horserace Betting Levy Board

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has agreed a contribution to ensure the continuation of the career-ending insurance scheme for jockeys for a further six months while future funding for the scheme is sought.

HBLB’s grant of up to £80,000 will be added to monies provided by the Professional Jockeys’ Association (PJA), which arranges the scheme on behalf of its members. The PJA will take the opportunity to continue to look for a sponsor and/or alternative funding from the within the sport for the longer term.

HBLB Chairman Paul Darling said: “This scheme has been in place for almost ten years, paid for by commercial sponsorship and contributions from jockeys. It provided a critical safety net for  jockeys, for whom the risk of serious injury is  part of everyday normality. I and others at the Levy Board were deeply concerned when the scheme had to lapse at the end of November after the PJA had been unable to find a new sponsor in the current economic climate or other funding from within Racing. The HBLB has stepped in to ensure that the scheme is immediately reinstated.

“I stress that this is a one-off contribution. We will now keep a close liaison with the PJA as it looks to find a new sponsor. It is essential that fresh funding is found to continue this scheme and I am sure that Racing organisations will play an active part in ensuring that the scheme is continued.”

PJA Chief Executive Paul Struthers said: “We are very grateful to the Levy Board for this generous grant, in particular to Paul and Alan, which will allow us to continue the conversations we are having with both potential commercial partners and the wider sport.

“The PJA has now committed close to half a million pounds out of our own reserves to keep our jockeys covered for the last two years and our members can now be assured that they are covered for a career ending injury for the next six months whilst we try to find a sustainable, long-term solution for this vital scheme.”

For further information, please contact HBLB Chief Executive Alan Delmonte on 07931 701536