The Turf Club today announced that Integrity Racing Statistics for 2006. The main statistics cover racecourse stewards enquiries, drug testing of both jockeys and horses, Appeals Body and Referrals Committee hearings, licences issued, non runners, medical issues, handicap ratings, off-times and point to points.

The key statistics are as follows:

•    Appeals Body and Referrals Committee hearings were 11 higher, mainly due to an increase in the number of prohibited substance cases dealt with which included 6 morphine cases from 2002.  The Appeals Body dealt with 14 appeals of which 5 were chaired by the Independent Chairman, Ronan Keane.

•    70 riders were drug tested and one sample tested positive while 5 of the 2,920 horse samples taken, tested positive.

•    The number of licences issued to riders decreased by 13% with the number of apprentices licensed at the lowest level ever.

•    There was a decrease in the number of falls, both on the flat and over jumps, although the injury rate per ride remained at a similar level to 2005.  The number of point-to-point fallers increased by 10%.

•    73% of all races either started on time or within one minute of the official starting time.

•    195 performance warnings were issued.

•    The number of full time stable staff increased by 13%.

Commenting on the statistics, Turf Club Chief Executive, Denis Egan said “the figures were broadly in line with the previous years with some exceptions.

In relation to drug testing, Denis Egan expressed “disappointment that the first positive rider sample was found.”  He also noted that “a second rider who is licensed in Ireland also tested positive abroad.”  He concluded by noting “only 5 horses of the 2,920 samples take from horses were positive.”

In relation to the number of riders licences issued, Denis Egan expressed “serious concern in the decline in the number of apprentice licences” which reached its lowest ever level.  He noted “that there has been a 63% decline in the number of apprentices signed on by trainers since 2004 with only 10 being indentured for the first time in 2006.”  This he said “unfortunately is not a surprise in view of the statistics presented in the Body Weights Study with regard to the increase in the body weights of teenagers.  He concluded by saying that “it is imperative that as an industry we address these matters immediately to ensure that the stream of jockeys coming through the ranks continues.”  In this respect he noted that “the Stewards of the Turf Club had recently reconvened the Apprentice Advisory Committee under the Chairmanship of Naas Accountant, John Greely, to review all aspects of the apprentice system.”

Commenting on the medical statistics, Denis Egan said “there was a decrease in the number of falls on the racecourse which was welcome.”  He said “it was particularly pleasing to note that only one flat rider was stood down for dehydration during the flat season which was great news bearing in mind the across the board rise in the weights at the start of the season.  The number of National Hunt riders stood down due to dehydration remained at 4.”  He said “riders were more aware of the importance of not riding while dehydrated and the newly introduced Jockeys Continuing Education Courses should improve the situation further.”

Denis Egan noted that 73% of all races started within one minute of the official starting time and paid tribute to everyone who contributed to this achievement and in particular to the racing officials and valets.  He said “this was most important as Irish racing is now televised daily and it is vital that races start as close as possible to the appointed time to ensure maximum coverage.”

Note to the Editors

1.    Members of Apprentice Advisory Committee:
John Greely – Chairman
Keith Rowe – Chief Executive RACE
Jim Kavanagh – Chief Executive Irish Racehorse Trainers Association
Michael O’Donoghue – Turf Club Official
Pat Malone – Turf Club Official
Christopher Geoghegan – Apprentice
Joanna Morgan – Former Champion Lady Jockey/Trainer
Seamus Gibson – Secretary to Turf Club Licensing Committee

Download Statistics 2006