Given the risks inherent in Thoroughbred racing, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has put into place two programs designed to ensure the best care possible when a jockey is injured: Incompass Solutions’ Jockey Health Information System and NYRA’s own Jockey Medical Advocate Program.

Conceived by Keeneland last spring, and created in collaboration with InCompass, The Jockey Club Technology Services Inc., the Jockeys’ Guild, and Keeneland, the Jockey Health Information System is a secure online database that stores jockeys’ updated medical histories and makes it possible for emergency medical personnel at racetracks to instantly access that information in the event of injury.

Following the successful launch of the Jockey Health Information System at the recently concluded Keeneland Fall meeting, the New York Racing Association is adopting the new system.

In addition, starting with the October 29 opening of the Aqueduct Fall meeting, NYRA instituted a Jockey Medical Advocate Program, designed to assist jockeys taken to area hospitals after an accident. Under the program, a Registered Nurse serving as Jockey Medical Advocate will be on-call during all NYRA races. In the case of injury, the Jockey Medical Advocate will meet the injured rider at the hospital to ensure that he or she is well cared for, and assist both jockey and family members with medical and administrative matters.

“NYRA is committed to the health and welfare of these athletes, and these two important new programs demonstrate that support,” said David Smukler, NYRA Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations. “We very much appreciate the leadership of The Jockey Club and Keeneland in developing the Jockey Health Information System and are proud that, along with our Jockey Medical Advocate Program, we’ve taken significant steps forward in supporting the health and welfare of these jockeys.”

Additional information about the Jockey Health Information System is available by visiting the “Safety Initiatives” section of The Jockey Club website (www.jockeyclub.com).