In a move to strengthen head injury protocols throughout the thoroughbred sporting code, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is in the final stages of devising a Policy on Concussion Management, Neuropsychology Testing and the Return to Riding Following a Concussion.

The framework is designed to protect all Riders in New Zealand who suffer head injuries as a result of a concussion.

In the proposed Policy, a Rider who is diagnosed to have suffered a concussion will be required to undertake a Stand Down Period of at least 12 days and must be cleared fit to ride by an NZTR Medical Officer before returning to the track.

The Policy is in its final stages of development and has been sent to various stakeholders for deliberation, many of whom have endorsed the action made by NZTR.

Darin Balcombe, NZTR COO, commented on the ground-breaking move to improve jockey cognitive health.

“NZTR recognises the importance of and has responsibilities for the health, safety and wellbeing of the jockeys who ride under its jurisdiction.”

"Following a review of jockey concussion-related data and expert advice we have received, NZTR is in the final stages of developing protocols following a Rider’s diagnosed concussion.

“We identified concussion as an important risk in our sport and this Policy provides a framework for how this will be managed in the future.

“Once implemented, all Rider licences approved by NZTR are granted on the condition that the Rider successfully undertakes a Baseline Neurocognitive Test prior to being granted their licence.

“To assist with the diagnosis and recovery following a concussion or suspected concussion, each jockey’s neurocognitive function will be measured prior to injury. This enables a post-injury test to be compared to the jockey’s pre-injury baseline and will help determine whether it is safe for the Rider to return to racing.

“We see the implementation of the Policy as a positive step towards protecting the mental health and wellbeing of these athletes over both the short and long term,” Balcombe said.

Andrew Lacy, Executive Officer of the New Zealand Jockeys’ Association, endorses the activity made by NZTR.

“Jockey and Rider safety is paramount in our industry and anything that enhances this is something that we are supportive of.”

“They are professional athletes who put their bodies and minds on the line day in and day out.

“The jockeys are aware that concussion can be tricky to diagnose, so having the right protocols and testing in place is imperative to their health and wellbeing,” Lacy said.

The policy introduction aligns with other protocols applied by sporting codes across the globe, employed to better maintain the health and wellbeing of athletes in their various disciplines.

Recently, players in the Australian National Rugby League who are diagnosed with a "category one" concussion will have a mandatory 11-day stand-down period.

The Australian Rugby League Commission approved the new rule last week, following a class action against the Australian Football League from dozens of former players over alleged damage to their health from concussions.

An announcement around NZTR’s official implementation of the Policy on Concussion Management, Neuropsychology Testing and the Return can be expected by late April.