How we Support

How We Help

Can you imagine having a job where an ambulance has to follow you around? That’s the reality for our jockeys every day. It’s easy to take for granted the risks jockeys take every time they race, and when things go wrong it can be career-ending, and even life-ending in some cases. The National Jockeys Trust exists to support jockeys and their families as a result of serious injury or illness, providing assistance when necessitous circumstances arise. We’re here to help.

Who Does The National Jockeys Trust Help?

Our goal is to provide funds and other benefits to jockeys, in order to relieve them of their financial difficulties and help them gain stability during times of crisis. Did you know:

• More than a third of Australia’s 860 jockeys are involved in accidents every year
• 89% have had at least one fall during their career that required medical attention
• Each year 40% of jockeys will have a fall that will prevent them from riding for an average of five weeks
• A number of jockeys will suffer permanent disability each year
• Injury, illness or death can cause serious financial hardship to jockeys and their families as they try to cope with medical bills and manage significant loss of income.
• Serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease and kidney disease make up a significant proportion of claims that the Trust assists with.

Who Is Eligible For Support?

Any person, including an apprentice, who holds or has held a jockey licence in Australia. We determine eligibility for support against specific criteria on a case-by-case basis, and this can include:

• Financial and other support for jockeys injured at work
• Financial and other support for jockeys experiencing serious illness requiring extended time off work
• Funeral expenses and other support for the families of deceased jockeys

Doesn’t Insurance Cover Everything?

In some cases, WorkCover can adequately cover the costs associated with recovery from a race fall, if a claim is successfully lodged and approved. However, in many cases jockeys do not receive all the benefits of WorkCover, depending on the legislation in the state where they were injured.