Jockeys' Guild seeks to block rules on safety vests

The Jockeys’ Guild said it has asked a Kentucky judge to block rules that went into effect in June that set standards for safety vests and require riders to divulge details to the commission about their sponsorship agreements.

Guild officials said in a release that the organization filed the request for a temporary restraining order in Franklin Circuit Court in Frankfort because “there is not sufficient data to determine if the standards required by the emergency regulation are the safest standards.” In addition, the Guild said that the new regulations governing sponsorships and advertising would discourage companies from reaching agreements with riders during the upcoming Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 5-6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

The commission adopted the new regulations in June 15 on an emergency basis, meaning that they went into effect immediately for six months. The regulations are being reviewed by the state’s legislature as part of a six-month process to formally adopt the rules. Last week, the state’s Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee delayed the consideration of the safety-vest rules until its November meeting because of concerns voiced by riders and horsemen.

The regulation requiring jockeys to disclose the terms of their sponsorship agreements were adopted after a flap arose between some owners and riders during this year’s Kentucky Derby.