Injured jockey Jason Maskiell shocked by racing gear cost loophole

A fall during an unpaid jumpout has left injured jockey Jason Maskiell with broken bones, damaged gear and an unexpected insurance shock.

Jason Maskiell was shocked to be told he would be left out of pocket following a jumpout fall. Picture: Racing Photos

Jockey Jason Maskiell has found an expensive definition of the difference between jumpouts and official trials.

The issue of barrier trials and jumpouts in Victoria has divided opinion between participants for some time, flaring late last year when many of Melbourne’s senior riders refused to ride in jumpouts until they were paid for their efforts.

That argument has calmed in recent months but Maskiell found out the difference between jumpouts and barrier trials after a fall last week at Pakenham.

Maskiell suffered a broken wrist and punctured lung in the fall.

His injuries forced paramedics to cut off his riding vest while stewards took his helmet following the incident.

Maskiell thought he would be reimbursed for his equipment as per the procedure for race or barrier trial falls but was shocked with the response to his inquiries to Racing Victoria stewards and the Victorian Jockeys’ Association.

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“We’re not covered for our gear riding in a jumpout,” Maskiell said.

“I’m covered for workers’ comp and when I’m off, I get paid but my actual race gear, my vest and my helmet, I’ll have to pay for.

“They said it was because it wasn’t an official trial. They said they didn’t think I was covered for jumpouts, only official trials.

“I just would have thought it’s exactly the same except we’re not getting paid.”

The anomaly is likely to leave Maskiell up to $1500 out of pocket when he purchases new specialised riding gear.

However, he won’t have to worry about getting a new vest and helmet for a couple of weeks.

“I went for X-rays again on the lung and they’re going to get back to me on Wednesday to see if it’s improved,” Maskiell said.

“The wrist will be six weeks. They said both things will be six weeks.

“That means I rode the horse for free and I have to pay $1000 or whatever it is for my race gear, and I don’t get the race ride anyway because I’m injured.”

Jockey Jason Maskiell suffered a broken wrist and a punctured lung in a trackwork fall last week. Picture: Racing Photos

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The fall and subsequent financial penalty were unwanted birthday presents for Maskiell.

His injuries have cost him rides at the upcoming Darwin Cup carnival as well as forcing him into an overnight float journey – his punctured lung prevents Maskiell from flying – to his home state of Tasmania to see his ill grandfather.

Maskiell said the issue was unlikely to stop him riding in jumpouts, which are vital to jockeys’ hopes of securing race rides.

“I never even realised it was a thing until I had my fall. I just find it mind-blowing,” Maskiell said.

“I guess you have got to keep riding in them just to get the race rides, but it’s definitely something to think about.”

Originally published as Injured jockey Jason Maskiell shocked by racing gear cost loophole