The Bangalore Turf Club has announced new norms with regard to issue of fresh licenses to jockeys commencing from April 1, 2008. In an effort to make the sport more keen and competitive, the Club wishes to do away with jockeys who have not been performing in the recent past. Vide a letter dated March 21, they have stipulated that jockeys must have a minimum of 30 rides and 3 winners during the preceding year, before their application for a new licence is considered. The jockeys are totally taken aback with this sudden development and have been asked by their association to refrain from applying for new licenses, which they would normally have done last week. The association has requested the BTC authorities for a joint meeting in order to sit down and clear the various ambiguities that may arise in the future. The President of the Jockey's Association, Sinclair Marshall has issued a clarification of their stand and the same is being reproduced below for the information of our readers. In a discussion with Indiarace, Sinclair clarified that they are very happy to see progressive steps being taken at the BTC. What they are against is the fact that these are being operationalised without giving any thought to the repercussions that may arise from such actions. According to him, it was time to stop indiscriminate issuing of licenses to jockeys. BTC had issued more than 20 licenses to apprentices in the last year. Many of them were unable to get a ride from their masters. A few of them were not able to do justice to their mounts and were a hindrance to the other jockeys in the race. It was time to set up a proper jockeys’ school so that there were proper tests prior to the grant of a licence. He further opined that once the new norms are put in place, there shall be many old timers who shall loose their licenses. He wished that the Club should take note of their service to the sport and re-classify them as "Work Jockeys". These gentlemen could use their experience and help the stables in breaking-in of 2 year olds. At the same time, it would give them the dignity to retire gracefully. The most important point on his agenda was the criteria of three winners and thirty mounts. According to him, it is a worldwide phenomenon that not many top-class riders achieve a 10 per cent strike rate. He felt that it was unfair to give this short notice of six months, and was hopeful that the authorities would watch the performances of the current lot over a period of 12 months and then decide about their future. He had his facts and figures ready for the managing Committee of the Club, and was hopeful of a fruitful discussion when they finally meet up with them in the near future. CLARIFICATION ISSUED BY THE JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION The Members of the Jockeys Association of India are unhappy and have not agreed to the fresh norms adopted by the Bangalore Turf Club Ltd due to the following reasons. Sl. No 4 ( c & d) It is noted that during the Bangalore and Mysore season 2005–06 there were nearly 80 A’ & B’ jockeys who shared 8345 mounts. A Jockey is supposed to get an average of 104 rides. In the year 2006–07 there were 73 jockeys who shared 8651 mounts. Here again, a jockey is supposed to get an average of 118 rides. Apart from the A’ licensed jockeys several B’ jockeys also shared the said mounts. But this is not the case as the top 10% of the jockeys amassed most of the rides. The forthcoming Summer Meeting have 26 race days and as there is no racing in any part of the country most of the jockeys riding all over India usually ride at this particular centre. Even the Mysore Summer Meeting is also shared by the above mentioned jockeys. Thereby depriving some of the A’ licensed jockeys. At the Turf Authorities meeting it was brought to the notice regarding excessive licensing which is also one of the major factors for not getting sufficient mounts. The fresh licensing should be put on hold till such time the ratio of horses and the jockeys tally. Many jockeys who are regular at work are not able to get sufficient mounts to survive, leave aside of making it mandatory to a minimum of 30 mounts and 3 winners in a year for renewal of licence. Most of the jockeys are regular at work and are the back bone of many stables for riding work and preparing horses. The requirement of 3 winners stipulated by the BTC is unreasonable as only 5% to 6% of Jockeys in the entire country have a strike rate of 10% of rides to winners. The BTC must appreciate that the jockeys in question who find it difficult to get mounts cannot possibly be expected to have a strike rate of over 10% to complete their quota of 3 winners. Sl No 14 We request the BTC to continue the existing licensing period from 1st April to 31st March as in practice with other Turf Clubs in India and all over the world which is a validity period of one year must continue. We wish to point out a lot of inconvenience to the jockeys if the licensing period is split into two. The premium paid towards insurance cover is for the period of one full year and not every six months, which amounts to Rs 8,500/- per jockey per year. A few jockeys who are riding abroad for better prospects would also find it difficult to continue and complete their riding engagements as per the contract according to the fresh adopted norms. Whilst the Jockeys Association of India appreciate the Stewards of the BTC concern for overall improvement to meet international racing standards, this could be achieved if urgent improvement to the existing infrastructure is implemented. Topping the list is as follows:- · There are approximately 845 races in a year shared between Bangalore and Mysore, out of the above total one race per month to be reserved for apprentices jockeys only, one race per month to be reserved for jockeys who have not ridden a winner i.e., winter meeting 5 races, for apprentice jockeys and 5 races for jockeys who have not ridden a winner. To review and investigate those jockeys performances/statistics who have not ridden a winner or who have not had sufficient mounts in the above reserved races then a decision could be taken to either renew the jockeys license thereby giving him another chance to improve his performance/statistics, failing which a work jockey’s license to be granted after consultation with the Karnataka Trainers Association, Bangalore Turf Club Ltd and the Jockeys Association of India and a suitable monthly salary worked out depending on the number of years of service put in by the jockey. We also request the club to stop issuing fresh licenses to apprentice jockeys in discriminately. We request the club to bring the above mentioned norms in a phased manner duly discussed across the table with the Jockeys Association of India, Karnataka Trainers Association which are agreeable to all parties concerned. The Bangalore Turf Club Ltd is fully aware that the expiry of all licenses is 31st of March, the notification issued on the 21st March 2008 hardly gives insufficient time to discuss the above norms. We have directed our members not to apply for a license until a meeting requested by our letter dated 26th March 2008 chaired by all the parties concerned. In conclusion we would like to state that although the intentions of the Bangalore Turf Club Ltd are honourable and justified, the execution can only be achieved by working along with the parties concerned rather than against them. S. Marshall President