TASMANIA: Subsidies To Combat Jockey Crisis
Thursday, 23 October 2008: The subsidies will offset travel expenses for jockeys and apprentices flying to Tasmania.
The TTRC has been forced to introduce a range of new policies in a bid to keep sufficient numbers in the local riding ranks to sustain normal race field sizes.
Ther are currently only 17 licensed jockeys and apprentices in Tasmania.
The TTRC will assist jockeys and apprentices with expenses and travel costs related with riding at Tasmanian race meetings from November 1.
Tasmanian based riders will be eligible for a petrol subsidy and interstate riders an airfare subsidy based on their number of rides per race meeting.
Tasmanian trainers will be sent text messages to advise which local and visiting jockeys are available for race meetings.
Troy Atkin, president of the Tasmanian Jockeys Association, says the number of riders continues to fall in Tasmania.
"Over the last seven years we've dropped 43 per cent, that's definitely definitely a worrying sign," he said.
TTRC chairman Rod Thirkell-Johnston says it is becoming harder to attrcat local young people into the racing industry as apprentices.
"This is a very serious issue, attracting young people to the industry, and providing good career paths for them," he said.
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