Today, in Australia, most jockeys are Anglo-Saxon and most are finding it increasingly difficult to survive in the very competitive racing industry.
Weight constraints mean that these riders, some of whom are quite tall, have to put themselves through "torture," starving and wasting their bodies in steam-rooms to remain at a competitive weight and get those important lucrative rides.
However, with the Australian population gradually getting bigger what does the future hold for these riders. We already have a number of Japanese jockeys riding in Australia and learning the skills and this may be the way of the future-I'm suggesting less than 10-15 years. Natural lightweights from Asia will have many advantages over local riders if they can attain a similar level of skills. In the USA most of their top hoops are Puerto Rican or one of the races which is genetically smaller.
A lot of todays jockeys cannot tolerate the constant battle with keeping their weight down, but, to increase weight limits in races would place too much pressure on finely tuned thoroughbreds and detract from the spectacle of racing.
There is no easy answer to this looming problem. I suppose there would be no major problem if our current top echelon of riders was gradually replaced by natural lightweight from other regions of the world. As long as they can ride properly, I suppose it does not matter to the punter.
If you have any thoughts on this matter please share them.

Cheers.

I tend to agree with your sentiments.

Actually just caught up with one Michael Clarke recently, who told me his constant battles with weight put him out of contention forever.

We talked quite a lot about his haydays with the late great C.S. Hayes and his golden era.

He also brought up this very fact regarding international (Asian) jockeys and how if they don't go to Hong Kong for the lucrative prizemoney, may soon try their skills in Australian racing.

As to what he is doing now, not quite sure - he said he is still involved in racing but couldn't get him to expand much further.

I believe he has been a mentor to many junior jockeys and a consultant regarding struggling with weight off the record.


[ This Message was edited by: Chrome Prince on 2003-05-03 16:30 ]

DO YOU THINK THAT WITH THESE NEW APPRENTICESHIP SCHOOLS SOME OF THESE NEW BREED OF JOCKEYS HAVE LOST THE FEELING FOR HORSES THAT COMES WITH BEING BORN AND BRED WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
I WOULD LOVE AN OPINION FROM THE JOCKEY COMMUNITY.

Darkydog,

I watched a program last night with Greg Hall as guest.
He said that at eight years of age he was mucking out stalls at 3:30a.m. then rode horses trackwork. Later, after tending to the horses needs, he had breakfast and went to school, where he promptly fell asleep.
He equated it to "slave" conditions and it wouldn't happen today( I think he earned $8 p.w.). He also stated that he slept outside the horse stall and put horse blankets on the harsh cold concrete floor and one over him for warmth. As any Victorian will attest, it gets mighty cold in the Victorian winter and all this, for an eight-year-old boy.
What a story!!
It puts a whole different dimension on those hoops who achieve financial success after striving hard and "doing the right thing" by owners and trainers all their career. It was a real eye-opener.

Cheers.

XANADU.SURE DOES.WISH I HAD SEEN THE PROGRAM.

darkydog2002,

Yes, a real "human interest" story in the cold logic of the thoroughbred industry. No wonder why they stive so hard to succeed in this competitive business.
Last night on Sky, Johnny Tapp interviewed Danny Nicolic, what an impressive he made!
He's professional and good for the image of racing and I for one usually get a good run for my money when he is on!

Cheers.