Horse racing / Vin Lowe / 13 June 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

Neville Wilson received the Order of Australia Medal in the Queen's Birthday honors this week, writes Vin Lowe.

As President of the Victorian Jockeys Association for the past 15 years much has changed in the life of a jockey during his reign.

It wasn't long ago that the master/servant relationship between jockeys and trainers - and to a greater extent, owners - ruled the racecourse. Nowadays, the shoe is on the other hoof as jockeys are the revered face of thoroughbred racing.

They are not only consulted but are quick to initiate action if a problem is unearthed. I recall on occasion being summoned to the jockey's room to find out a piece of rail was not aligned correctly or that a patch of track might be 'shiftier' than the rest of the course.

Jockeys are mindful of their obligations to the connections of the horses they ride by seeking the best running but also like to ensure that their 'workplace' - the track - is safe. One rider death is one too many and Australia has had enough funerals for hoops in the last 10 years to show that 'duty of care' has to be the mission of all participants. Under Neville Wilson the Victorian Jockeys Association has grabbed the mallet and hammered the jockey stakeholder role deep into racing's heart.

Working conditions for the modern day jockey have come a long way. Under the shiny silks today is a safety vest - protecting rock hard bodies from errant hooves and steel rail uprights.

Under VJA Chief Executive Des O'Keefe riders are guaranteed a riding fee pay rise each year. The industry has agreed to fund personal insurance and there is a safety net in place in the form of a support fund for jockeys who hit on hard times as a result of injury. And if a rider does suffer an injury the VJA ensures immediate support in the shape of a qualified counsellor.

Regulators have accommodated the issues of health and well being by raising the weights allotted to horses in handicap races to realistic - or more accurately - achievable levels. To top it off the proportion of female to male riders is increasing which is significant with the volume of racing now being programmed.

The future is full of challenges, too. From 1 August new 'use of whip' rules will come into play. It may be a can of worms or it might sail through without a hitch but it will be a major culture shock for many.

Jumps jockeys might be the poor cousins of the flat hoops but they are under siege and feeling pressure to do their part to reduce fatalities in jumps races. And the industry wants to squeeze every last drop of wagering dollar by increasing the amount of night meetings which is sure to impact on the 'work/life balance' currently juggled precariously by some jockeys.

Neville Wilson - still riding as he approaches his 63rd birthday - is a worthy recipient of the OAM. The dairy farmer from Weerite and legend of the western districts joins his great mate Roy Higgins MBE honoured by the Queen - for someone who was never going to get the chance to win a Scobie Breasley Medal it is a just and fitting reward.

There is an unfulfilled promise to have aluminium running rails replaced with plastic on all tracks in Victoria - and I can't see 'Nifty' resting until that comes to pass.