Of all the fundamentals and treatments jockeys pay attention to, there is arguably one which trumps them all especially when you factor in the physical and mental rigours that they go through each week. Sleep of course and getting the right amount is key.
Going at speeds of nearly 50 miles per hour and as exposed as you can be, you have milliseconds to make a decision, while sleep deprivation can have a big effect on reducing reaction times and effectively increasing the risk of injury.
The vestibular system (balance) is also key for a jockey and a lack of deep sleep (REM) is understood to lead to micro-errors in weight distribution and unbalance a horse; essential for a jockey in stirrups.
A lack of sleep for a jockey can also spike ghrelin (the hunger hormone) and for a jockey on a strict 1200 calorie, daily diet it makes cravings almost impossible to resist; as such making it all the more important that jockeys get the required amount of sleep.
Many Things Can Help A Jockeys’ Sleep
It is likely that a jockey follows as much professional advice as possible when it comes ensuring they are in peak condition and, no doubt, sleep has a big part to play. Indeed, with such a packed schedule, there is an argument that a lack of sleep can significantly affect a jockey’s mental health.
Depression rates among jockeys are “twice the norm”, says Dr Adrian McGoldrick. Anyone suffering is not alone in battling a disease that is “totally, treatable, totally curable” with the right help and the right support #ItsOkayToTalk #RTEracing pic.twitter.com/g6OLxoFMMb
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) December 26, 2018
Sleep and getting the right amount is essential for people in general and many attribute this to having the correct sleeping conditions. Beds have become a key part of people’s lives and this probably couldn’t be any more important for a jockey. Even something as simple as having accessories such as king size mattress toppers could make a big difference to a jockey’s night sleep.
Conditioning can also be a key link between a jockey’s daily routine and sleep. Things such as getting a daily massage and a sauna or ice bath can relax the muscles enough to give them the required amount of sleep.
It is also fundamental for a jockey to be able to fall straight to sleep; stress and increased brain activity can contribute to a deficit of required dormant hours so pre-sleep routine is considered just as important as everything else.
Long Days Necessitate The Need For Sleep
It is quite common for jockeys to race into the early evening, while some also compete in night races as well. Add their early start into the equation; many are usually putting a horse through its paces at 5am for their trainer so, depending on a jockeys’ schedule, sometimes a ‘split-sleep’ day is required to make sure they get the right amount of sleep and recovery.
There is an argument that the older a jockey gets the more important sleep becomes, especially given the likely, increased amount of time the body needs to recover. Obviously, it isn’t just the racing element for a jockey either. They naturally are a big part of a horse’s training schedule; the more familiar they are with the horses they ride (and vice versa), the bigger the likelihood of success is.
That is when sleep becomes even more important. If a jockey hasn’t had the right amount of sleep, it reduces the risk of them being able to connect with the horse on an emotional level which some might argue is just as important.