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Rob Simmons / Eclipse Sportswire

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and the Jockeys’ Guild are launching a major initiative to support jockey well-being.

The announcement was made by HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus and Jockeys’ Guild president Terry Meyocks at the conclusion of the first day of the International Jockey Concussion, Safety and Wellness Conference. HISA and the guild established a groundbreaking partnership with Onrise, a leading athlete-specific mental health company, to provide jockeys with easily accessible mental health care in their primary language.

As part of HISA and the guild’s ongoing commitment to improving jockeys’ overall well-being, the partnership with Onrise will offer a confidential platform with access to mental health support through the insights and experiences of trained retired athletes, licensed therapists and psychiatrists. Jockeys can move between different levels of care or use multiple services simultaneously. Through this partnership, jockeys can access reliable mental health support and guidance, helping to reduce the stigma of seeking help and fostering a culture of openness and care within the sport.

Onrise currently partners with the Major League Soccer Players Association, Inter Miami CF, the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association, the Premier Lacrosse League and all three women’s professional volleyball leagues in the U.S., among others. These jockeys join more than 15,000 athletes who already have access to Onrise services. All qualified jockeys will be eligible for Onrise’s services at no cost.

“Jockeys face immense physical and mental demands, and their mental health is critical to their long-term success and well-being,” Lazarus said. “Jockeys are highly skilled professional athletes who confront unique stressors. By partnering with Onrise, we are providing jockeys with a safe space to connect with professional athlete peers who understand their experiences, offering them valuable support as they navigate the pressures of this demanding career.”

“We are proud to partner with HISA and Onrise to provide jockeys with a crucial resource for mental wellness. For decades, Jockeys’ Guild has worked tirelessly to advocate for the safety, health, and well-being of our athletes, and this partnership marks another important step in that mission,” Meyocks said. “Through this collaboration, we are offering our qualifying members the opportunity to connect with athletic peers who truly recognize what they’re going through, helping them take care of their health in a way that has never been done before in our sport. The Guild greatly appreciates HISA’s commitment to the mental wellness of jockeys.”

“Onrise is privileged to partner with HISA and Jockeys’ Guild to support athlete mental health and overall wellness in this critical time for horse racing,” Onrise CEO Kimberly Quigley said. “We are thrilled that HISA and Jockeys’ Guild have entrusted Onrise to provide mental health care and support for these jockeys and appreciate both organizations’ commitment to ensuring that their athletes have the tools that enable them to succeed on and off the track.”