HOW fit does a jockey need to be? It’s an area of racing that never receives that much attention. Durability is what receives the lion’s share of attention.
How you deal with injury? How quickly do you recover? These are the things that tax the mind, but seldom is the area of fitness focused on in sport where athleticism is not just the lot of the horse.
Jogging, we know in the racing world, has everything to do with managing weight.
The stresses of race riding are hugely significant but aerobic fitness is equally important in terms of maintaining athleticism.
How this is achieved when you race in a dehydrated state and with little in your stomach is a major challenge of the profession. And being able to manage it is one big reason why we can stick in there and compete.
If, with the above factors considered, you’re not fit enough to maintain your concentration through your fourth or fifth race of the day, then you will find the phone stops ringing pretty quick.
The reason I’m raising this issue is that I conducted a fitness test at William Muir’s stable along with about 15 other jockeys.
A specialist came, fitted us with heart monitors and took blood samples over three circuits on the gallops before and after racing.
The results of the circuits were then matched against each other to give an overall picture of fitness, without a nourishing breakfast, without the kind of healthy hydration levels most athletes would take as a given.
We were also tested on bikes with oxygen inhalers to test our lung capacity.
The results were pretty solid. I was surprised at how advanced some of the fitness levels were considering the stresses and lack of rest jockeys endure.
I spoke to Graham Lee about this whole area. Graham is doing about 8st 7lbs on the flat with ease now, down from 8st 10lbs.
How strength can be maintained when race riding and dieting is an area of sports science I’m not qualified to give an analysis of. But what I do know is that in respect of my own career, I’ve managed to hold a core strength which has foundations in years of work on my grandparents’ farm back in Galway.
“Farmer strength” probably won’t show up on my report. But along with a better than average level of fitness, it’s one of the reasons why I’m getting work, and thankfully a few winners for William Muir. It is a great yard to be a part of.
Mr Muir is very fair with all the riders, treats his staff well and notices things…things like good results in fitness tests.
I’ve ridden some quality two year olds for him lately and have enjoyed the opportunity.
This week, all eyes are on both Galway and Goodwood. I’m not travelling to Ireland this year. I had an offer from an old training friend to come across and ride one for him, but it would have been a luxury to do so.
“Better stay here and keep the fitness levels up,” I thought.
On a separate note, I want to wish a happy birthday to my friend Bill Haigh, who is 80 this week.
He is real old school and has been a great help to me in my career here, from the early days in the Swinbank yard in Yorkshire. Have a good one Bill.
