Turf Club Not Following French Lead

In the wake of the decision of France Galop to introduce a 2kg allowance for female jockeys, the Turf Club have confirmed no such move is likely in Ireland any time soon. French female jockeys will be permitted a 2kg allowance in 90% of French races with group and listed races exempt from the initiative but Turf Club Chief executive Denis Egan poured cold water on any prospects of it being introduced in Ireland. “There are no plans to replicate it,” said Egan. “There is a European doctors' meeting at the end of February, where I'd imagine it will be up for discussion. There will also be an international conference in relation to jockeys' health, safety and welfare, which I chair, at the end of October, where it will be discussed, too. But it's not on our agenda at the moment.”
The Irish Jockeys Association also made its views on the move known with spokesman Andrew Coonan describing it as potentially “discriminatory” against male jockeys. “I can't see it being brought in here,” said Coonan, who is also a solicitor.” It's anti-competitive and any male jockey would be entitled to feel it is discriminatory against him. Legislatively, I would imagine there would be significant difficulty with it.”