The association between jockey experience and race-day falls in flat racing in Australia

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Apprentice thoroughbred racing jockeys have a higher fall rate than their more experienced counterparts. The authors describe rates of occurrence and investigate risk factors for falls among less-experienced thoroughbred flat racing jockeys in Australia who commenced their race riding career between August 2002 and July 2009. METHODS: Data on race-day falls were extracted from stewards' reports. Denominator data were provided by Racing Information Services Australia on races conducted in Australia. HRs were estimated using time-to-event (survival analysis) methods. RESULTS: Factors found to be associated with falls by less-experienced jockeys (as indicated by number of career rid..