Mental Health is as big an issue for jockeys as the physical dangers they face The tragic news from the UK last week that promising apprentice rider Tommie Jakes had taken his own life at the age of 19 is truly awful. Poor Tommie joins a long list of jockeys who have died in a similar way down the years. The extreme highs and lows of race riding seem to act as a catalyst for some people to spiral into depression. Even the most successful jockeys will ride far more losers than winners during their careers. For some, the lows they experience after losing races become increasingly pronounced, and as their confidence wanes, depression creeps in. The alarming statistics behind jockey mental health In 2019 the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) commissioned a survey into the prevalence of mental health difficulties among jockeys compared to other sportspeople. One of the starkest findings was that injured jockeys were 46 times more likely to meet the criteria for depression than non-injured jockeys. They also reported higher levels of dissatisfaction associated with meeting the criteria for distress and generalised anxiety. Men account for 80% of suicides, and suicide is the number one cause of death for people between the ages of 15-34. The vast majority of jockeys are young males, which places them in the most susceptible category statistically. Studies have found that jockeys as a group are 2.5 times more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than the general public. Article highlights: Injured jockeys are 46 times more likely to develop depression than non-injured jockeys Jockeys as a group are 2.5 times more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than the general public The industry has introduced tools like the Leafyard App to provide mental health support Jockey coaches could play a crucial role in early identification of mental health issues Placing the most vulnerable group in society into such a high-pressure environment with volatile highs and lows, it is not a surprise that the incidence of mental health issues among jockeys is so high. Supporting jockeys' mental wellbeing The industry is well aware of the importance of mental wellbeing for jockeys. In 2021 the Irish Injured Jockeys and Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board launched the Leafyard App which is designed to "provide tools, activities, and support to help with any general mental health concerns." In the modern game most young jockeys now employ coaches to hone their riding skills. These coaches are all current or ex-jockeys that will be acutely aware of the mental pressures of the sport. These jockey coaches are probably best placed within the industry to spot riders experiencing problems with their mental health and it could certainly help if they were trained up in this area. Being skilled to spot issues at an early stage and enable these young riders to work through their problems could make a real difference. It might save others from the utter heartbreak that Tommie's family and friends are going through at this time. May he rest in peace. Recent racing highlights beyond Cheltenham Moving to other matters, with the National Hunt season now in full swing and talk already turning to Cheltenham, it is refreshing to see that not all performances are immediately linked to the Spring Festival. Envoi Allen's victory in Down Royal's Champion Chase on Saturday stands up on its own merit. The gallant 11-year-old has now won the North's premier race three times in the last four years and taken some big scalps along the way. Despite also being a three-time Cheltenham Festival winner - Champion Bumper, Ballymore Novices Hurdle and Ryanair Chase - there was no immediate talk of the festival in the post-race interviews. Instead it was a celebration of the fantastic career of one of jumps racing's most loved horses. His career has spanned eight seasons and has so far yielded ten Grade 1 victories, providing lots of wonderful memories. The victory of Ethical Diamond in the Breeders' Cup Turf shows that even Cheltenham's most successful ever trainer is not all consumed by the March Festival. Willie Mullins can justifiably chalk this win up as one of the highlights of an already extraordinary career. The 69-year-old has nothing left to achieve in the National Hunt game, and it wouldn't be a surprise to me to see him focus more on the flat going forward. Mullins heads to Australia now with Ethical Diamond's connections on what he describes as "unfinished business" with Absurde contesting Tuesday's Melbourne Cup. A victory in the 'race that stops a nation' appears to be the Champion Trainer's number one goal these days, and with his immense talent and unrivalled ammunition it is surely only a matter of time before he achieves it.
