THE livelihoods of 28,000 staff involved in the Irish horse racing industry came under immediate risk on Tuesday as the government announced that all sporting events would be suspended until at least April 19th.

The unprecedented move - aimed at stemming the spread of Covid-19 - meant that racing could no longer be held even behind closed doors. Now the Irish industry has been left in the same position as its counterparts in the UK and France, where total suspensions are also in force.

Some 188 of those employed in the industry here are jockeys, many of whom saw their ability to earn a wage obliterated overnight. It is a trying time for horse racing but the Irish Jockeys Association (IJA) have pledged to do everything in their power to support riders in all capacities, but in particular financially.

Speaking to The Irish Field one day after the government announcement, Andrew Coonan of the IJA said it is a stressful period for those facing a significant drop in income.

“Unfortunately jockeys find themselves in a position that many people in the country find themselves in. They quite literally have no job and as a result no earnings. Like many people around us they have families to support and all sorts of outgoings, it’s an extremely stressful time for them.”

Coonan also laid out the steps being by the IJA to support jockeys in the current climate. While the association have a scheme to help jockeys who have lost their ability to earn as a result of injury, no scheme exists for a cessation of the sport but measures are being taken to support riders.

“Our payment continuance scheme only covers jockeys who are experiencing loss of earnings through injury, but we have known that this situation [cancellation of racing] might occur and have been preparing for it,” Coonan explained. We have been in contact with each jockey about the government’s Covid-19 payments and will assist each jockey as best we can.”

The situation is a difficult one for the support group to navigate as many jockeys have different employment statuses. Some are self-employed, some are contracted to race ride and are employed as work riders, and some jockeys have established companies in which they employ themselves.

Coonan told The Irish Field that the IJA will be working to ensure jockeys are aware of their entitlements.

“At the moment we are providing assistance for them in terms of where they stand regarding the Covid-19 payments. We have given them information about how to access the payments as well as assistance in getting bank and mortgage moratoriums. This will hopefully help in reducing their outgoings as much as possible but the pressure and stress on them remains as some level of outgoings will remain.”

The pandemic unemployment payment of €350 may be a significant shortfall in earnings for some, or fall short of current expenditure for others. The financial advice offered by the IJA will be a significant help to riders and the IJA will provide further information on non-government funded support.

“There is the Jockey’s Trust which riders can apply to if they run into financial difficulties or are going to run into difficulties,” Coonan said. They are entitled to and encouraged to apply on an individual basis for assistance from these funds. At a time like this, these funds will prove to be hugely important for us.”