The International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys (ICHSWJ) was held in Hon Kong on the 11th & the 12th December 2025.
The conference brought together global experts, researchers, medical professionals, regulators, current and former jockeys, and industry stakeholders to discuss jockey health, safety, wellbeing and performance. The event was organised by the Jockeys Health and Wellbeing Committee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC).
The theme of the conference event was “Performance Medicine in Racing – Developing and Protecting the Jockey.”
The two-day conference programme took an evidence-based and applied practice approach, featuring presentations and dynamic panel discussions on topics critical to jockey health, welfare and performance. Highlighted sessions included:
- Inside the Mind of the Jockey: Performance, wellbeing, and insights from real-world experience
- Fit to Ride: Physical preparation and rehabilitation strategies
- Advancing Safety in the Saddle: Injury surveillance, prevention, and protective innovations
- Concussion Management: From injury to recovery
- Minimum Riding Weights: Toward individualised, evidence-informed approaches
- Supporting Jockey Careers: Including transition into retirement
- Nutrition for Performance: Practical strategies for jockeys’ dietary needs
In addition to the keynote and plenary sessions, the conference also featured poster sessions which showcased research as well as country updates, and roundtable discussions to encourage networking and collaboration. The Sport and Human Performance Research Centre (SHPRC) and the Weight Category Sports Theme through Irish Jockey Research Group were well represented with a number of members contributing to the conference programme through oral and poster presentations panel and roundtable discussions.
The key findings and messages from the conference highlighted the importance of:
- A growing shift toward evidence-based, interdisciplinary care for jockeys rather than traditional reactive and siloed methods.
- Recognition that mental health, concussion, nutrition and fit to ride strategies are key research priorities.
- Wider international collaboration in data collection, injury prevention and management strategies, as well as the move towards greater standards harmonisation across racing jurisdictions.
Delegates included professionals from a wide range of field including sports science, medicine, psychology, law, nutrition, coaching and injury epidemiology, as well as jockeys and industry representatives from over a dozen countries. Presenters emphasised that jockey health, safety and welfare are non-negotiable components of the sport, requiring systematic, science-backed interdisciplinary approaches to supporting jockeys. Senior voices in horseracing and jockey welfare, including Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (IFHA Chair and CEO of HKJC) and Darragh O’Loughlin (Chair of the IFHA Jockey Health and Wellbeing Committee), highlighted the importance of structured, scientifically supported care for jockeys.
This bi-annual conference took place in the lead-up to major Hong Kong racing events, including the International Jockeys’ Championship and the Hong Kong International Races, creating additional opportunities for wider engagement and networking with key horse racing industry stakeholders.
Professor Giles Warrington is a Professor (Chair) of Human Performance and Innovation in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS), University of Limerick. He is Co-Director of the Sport and Human Performance Research Centre (SHPRC), a member of the Health Research Institute (HRI).
Contact: Giles.warrington@ul.ie Follow on X ResearchGate LinkedIn
PESS News & Information 