The move by Hong Kong to green light use of Japanese safety vest leads to renewed push in Australia

Racing Australia’s long-awaited review into jockey safety vests is yet to be publicly released, and the Australian Jockeys’ Association is leading a renewed push for major reform.

Shane Dye continues to push for major reform for the safety of jockeys Picture: Adam Head

A renewed push to allow Australian jockeys to wear the much-praised Japanese Descente riding vest is among an array of moves being advocated for by the Australian Jockeys’ Association.

Racenet last year ran a series of stories in regards to jockey safety, where some of the sport’s sharpest minds went on the record in their dismay of the current regulatory framework.

That charge was led by former champion hoop Shane Dye who was steadfast in his position that the currently mandated riding vest in Australia in fact increased, not reduced, the capacity for serious back, head and neck injuries in a fall.

READ | Shane Dye: Why are jockeys still wearing safety vests?

Following on from Dye’s pointed comments, a number of jockeys came forward in their support, led by Hall Of Famers Damien Oliver and Darren Beadman, who were unequivocal in their position, mirroring that of Dye’s.

The intense discussion and drive for change came on the back of a string of jockey falls in early 2023, which included the tragic death of Dean Holland.

As a first response to the significant attention the issue generated, Racing Australia announced a review into Jockey Safety Vests in June, 2023.

The review, undertaken by Dr Andrew Mcintosh, a recognised expert in impact injury biomechanics, had a broad Terms of Reference, and was understood to have been finalised last September.

READ | Review announced: Future of jockey safety vests up in the air

However, despite requests by Racenet to make the report public, Racing Australia has so far stopped short of doing so.

It is understood the findings are still being deliberated on between its member bodies and the AJA.

Apprentice jockeys Jasper Franklin, Tyler Schiller and Dylan Gibbons in their jockey vests at Rosehill.

Remarkably, almost a year on from the commissioning of the report, Australian jockeys are no closer in being able to don the highly-acclaimed Descente Japanese Jockey Safety vest.

Adding to the frustration of a vast number of jockeys is the fact that earlier this year the Hong Kong Jockey Club moved to green light their jockeys’ using the Descente Vest.

In rubberstamping its use, HKJC didn’t seek to carry out any additional testing, instead being comfortable to lean on the range of studies already commissioned in Japan.

Yet even more importantly, it listened to the most pivotal voice, the jockeys themselves, taking into account the almost universal view that it offered more flexibility and comfort, on the back of the concerns raised of the rigidness of other approved vests.

In a Racenet article last year, now retired champion hoop Damien Oliver went on record to declare Australian authorities “have the perfect solution” available to the concerns being echoed by jockeys.

READ | Oliver supports Shane Dye’s criticism of jockey vests

“The Japanese riding vest is a superior product to our local one,” Oliver said at the time.

“I know a few of the jockeys that have ridden in Japan, myself, Craig Williams and probably Hugh Bowman, say they have got the best vest.

“But the Japanese vest wouldn’t pass the Australian standard, which is ridiculous because it’s the best vest going around.

“That’s the style of vest that I think the jockeys would be most comfortable in because it allows them a bit more freedom of movement and allows them to roll with the fall a bit more.

“A model adopted on the Japanese vest would be the best solution locally I think.”

What is standing in the way of the vests being green-lit domestically is difficult to gauge.

But with racing meccas like Japan and Hong Kong being satisfied of its effectiveness and safety, it should now only be a matter of time until it is signed off for use in Australia.

Especially, given the desire of the most important voice of all — the jockey.

Racing Australia declined to comment.

Originally published as The move by Hong Kong to green light use of Japanese safety vest leads to renewed push in Australia