The previously announced changes to apprentice and conditional jockey training arrangements will take effect from July 15, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Monday.
Originally revealed in December and due to have taken effect in March before the coronavirus pandemic hit, the changes ensure apprentice jockeys will receive a larger share of prize-money and their riding fee.
When first announced, trainers Andrew Balding, Richard Fahey and Richard Hannon were among those to voice their displeasure at the ending of the current system that saw Flat trainers retain up to 50 per cent of an apprentice’s riding fee and prize-money yield, in return for paying towards expenses.
To ensure the implementation and effectiveness of the changes, the BHA will re-establish the working group with the Professional Jockeys Association and National Trainers Federation to discuss the subject.
Tim Naylor, Director of Integrity and Regulation at the BHA, said: “This has always been a subject which has created strong feelings both from jockeys and trainers and their representatives.
“Our job has been to mediate to try and arrive at the best compromise possible, whereby there is not the potential for an uneven balance of power and also that trainer’s contribution to the early stages of an apprentice’s career is suitably recognised.
“Given all that happened with the Covid-19 pandemic and suspension of racing, the original implementation date was not viable. We also felt that it was not appropriate to bring in the new agreements in the initial stages of resumption, particularly as there were restrictions on apprentices riding.
“We fully accept that both from the point of view of apprentices and trainers there is more discussion to be had on this topic, and as such have re-instated the cross-industry working group to ensure there is a suitable forum to work together on any future concerns that arise.”
