Every jockey has their own method behind losing weight before racing. Extreme measures are sometimes called upon such as full-day fasting while others sweat off pounds in the sauna or bath pre-race. It is also a mutual practice between both flat and National Hunt jockeys to exercise in nylon sweat-suits – going out on long jogs or powerwalks.

These harsh pre-race routines can really take their toll on jockeys, especially that of young apprentices who are forced to maintain an extraordinarily light bodyweight of between 8st and 8st 7lbs for the early part of their careers.

To steer as far away from these extreme measures as possible, jockeys are beginning to rely more on healthy diets and clever training practices. To further enlighten us, leading apprentices Robbie Downey and Tom Madden, winner of eight races, reveal their secrets on staying healthy, nimble and strong in the saddle.

MAKING THE WEIGHT

Madden, an 18-year-old apprentice jockey from Naas, Co Kildare explained: “I ride out every morning so my weight is balanced. It tends not to fluctuate too much, which is very helpful to me as an apprentice. I am claiming 5lbs, so I can still use my claim off bottom weight with relative ease.

“On the once-off occasions I need to lose a pound or two before a race, I use the saunas on track. In the majority of racecourses in Ireland they have saunas, and if not I would go for a small jog around the track.”

I can relate to Madden but am slightly envious of his routine as in Ireland the declarations are typically released 24 hours before race day, excluding weekends, which can sometimes be overwhelming for jockeys. It means that if the worst comes to the worst, jockeys have only a full day to lose their excess weight. In my experience in the saddle there were times when I had to lose up to 10lbs overnight. It was far from pleasant.

Downey is a 19-year-old apprentice jockey from Kilcock in Co Kildare and he seems to have an equally good work practice in relation to his weight. “My weight has been very steady and stable all year. During the course of the winter I do find my weight rises as there is very little racing here in Ireland. Once I note what weights I’m doing, I judge my food and exercise regime for the forthcoming days.

“I regularly run the night before racing and run the racecourse prior to racing starting. I try my best not to leave myself in situations whereby I need to lose vast amounts of weight in one day. I like to keep on top of my weight and not allow my body to get too heavy.”

EXERCISE AND TRAINING

Regarding exercise and training neither of the two leading apprentices are controlled by a strict regime. However the difference in training of a natural lightweight like Madden whose bottom weight this season was 7st 10lbs to Downey’s 8st 3lbs is telling.

Madden explains that he hasn’t yet reached a stage where weight is a problem: “I don’t really have a training regime as such. I am very lucky in that riding out every morning keeps my weight on track. I enjoy keeping on top of my fitness by going out for an occasional jog, but I haven’t yet reached the stage whereby I am running to sweat off excess weight.” The proof of the pudding, excuse the unfortunate pun, is evident in Madden’s successes in 2015, and he has been in the winner’s enclosure in 25 flat races to date.

Downey can ride off a pound lighter than Ireland’s minimum riding weight in 8st 4lbs, his training is a little more organised than the very fortunate “Socks” Madden. “I train up to four nights a week during the summer to keep on top of my weight. In the winter when racing concludes to just once a week on a Friday night in Dundalk, I use the gym less.

“I like to do bits of everything in the gym; from running to cycling and swimming. I try my best not to use the sauna at all. It’s not a thing I particularly enjoy and try to do everything in my power to stay out of it,” explained Downey, winner of 52 flat races in total to date.

METHODS OF TRAINING

“I find using the gym regularly, regular jogs and eating with relative caution to be the best method of training for my flat jockey’s lifestyle. To be a flat jockey you have to be fit, as race-riding is extremely demanding. It is also necessary to be light so your food intake is enormously important,” explains Downey.

On the other hand you have a natural lightweight in Madden who says he eats quite normally. “My daily diet is very similar to that of any normal person. I feel very privileged in that I can eat with relative normality and still enjoy all the luxuries of being a flat jockey. I am inclined not to eat as much as normal and increase my water intake. This prevents me from feeling dehydrated and light headed.”

In contrast with Downey, I remember in my days as an apprentice jockey with Mr Bolger and Mr Prendergast not so long ago, I tried to control my weight to the best of my ability. However I was a natural nine stone. It was a battle I ended up losing.

If I needed to lose 4 to 6lbs I would start training two or three days before the race and do two runs a day. Each jockey suffers from different things - some fight the scales and others struggle with mental challenges. It’s a highly demanding career which requires extreme resilience.

“I don’t go out of my way to find different or healthy foods, simply what’s in the house or the local shop satisfies me. As regards special food diets or routines I don’t really have any. I am very fortunate in that I can eat as I please.

“Come race days I cut my food intake marginally but I don’t skip meals or anything of that nature. On race days I typically eat a small breakfast while riding out. I go home for lunch before leaving for the racecourse. I like to have my main meals eaten two to three hours before I go out to race ride. I regularly nab a sandwich or something small and not too filling to increase my energy levels before I race,” explains Madden, one of Irelands lightest riders.

Similar to Madden, Downey also doesn’t live his life with a diet plan. “I eat relatively anything, but I do try to stay away from fatty foods. Most mornings I don’t eat breakfast. I usually just keep it to a coffee on the road to work in Mr Lynam’s yard.

“However I do like my food and I will always have a good sized lunch and dinner. On race days, I wouldn’t usually have anything heavy or substantial to eat. I have a cup of coffee en route to work in the morning and then pick at little amounts of food in the weighing room to keep my energy levels up.”

AVOIDING THE SCALES

We all know that the weighing scale is high on the list of a flat jockey’s worst nightmare. I found that constant trips to the scale mentally challenged me and it didn’t help my overall cause. “I weigh myself virtually every morning. My scale is kept just at the bottom of my bed. I like to keep on top of my weight so it never strays too far from where I want to be,” explained Madden. Downey also weighs himself daily. “During the summer racing season I weigh myself most mornings to keep on top of my weight as it is extremely vital as a flat jockey. However during the winter I like to relax a little and wouldn’t weigh myself as often – maybe cutting back to once or twice a week.”

From my analysis, I can conclude that each jockey has their own individual plan and methodology on how to achieve the following demands - how best to lose weight, what foods to eat and not to eat, how far they can push themselves on a daily basis and to what extremes exactly they are willing to go to for another ride.

The life of a jockey is not one to be taken lightly. For the less discerning member of the public, it is merely sitting on the horse’s back and steering the steed for a matter of minutes, however there is far more skill and work involved behind the scenes to achieve such a level of success.

It is not until you delve deeper into the life of a jockey that you begin to understand the daily struggles to maintain personal fitness, ideal riding weight and the right mental attitude and fortitude to overcome the increasing demands of professional race riding.

Ben Dawson is an undergraduate on UCD’s Animal Science-Equine four-year degree programme. This is one of the Bachelor of Agricultural Science programmes offered by the School of Agriculture and Food Science. It focuses on the applied sciences that underpin animal and veterinary biosciences, with emphasis on the horse. A five-month work placement within the industry is an exciting component.

Web: ucd.ie/agfood/