no pay, no riding at jumpouts in Vic

[Murray Fish]

Jockeys take jumpout stance

Ryan Reynolds@Reynolds_R26 November, 2024

 

Victorian Jockeys' Association CEO Matt Hyland

Victoria's senior jockeys have announced they won't ride in jumpouts at some of the state's biggest training centres until they are paid for it.

In an email to stakeholders on Tuesday, the Victorian Jockeys' Association announced that its senior riders would not be available to ride at Cranbourne, Pakenham, Mornington, Caulfield, Balnarring, Ballarat and Flemington jumpouts from Sunday, December 1 until they are remunerated.

Apprentices, who are employed by a trainer, as well as picnic and jumps jockeys, are paid to ride in jumpouts, whereas senior hoops, who number between 60 and 70 in Victoria, are not.

Regional training centres like Geelong, Warrnambool and Wangaratta are not included in the current move.

VJA boss Matt Hyland says his members are happy to ride in jumpouts but they want to be paid for their services.

He added that approximately 500 horses a week jump out across those training centres and make up about 80 per cent of all jumpouts.

The VJA asked senior jockeys who have paid agreements with stables to only ride for those stables from December 1 until an agreement is reached.

Jockeys are paid $110 plus super to ride in official trials.

According to Hyland, 'a large majority' of the state's senior riding ranks support the move.

Hyland said the VJA has worked with Racing Victoria for the past eight weeks but added that the issue has been ongoing for eight years. He said jockeys have pushed for jumpouts to be converted to official trials, allowing them to be paid.

"It's always been a complex issue, however, the reality of it is who would work and not get paid?" Hyland said.

"The stakeholders have been notified. They've provided feedback which is not in line with the VJA's position. The reality is that it's been happening for eight years.

"The members are not going on strike. They're withdrawing their services of unpaid work."