The pressures on professional riders are well-documented and in the wake of Liam Treadwell’s death the sport plans to do even more to offer support to those affected
“I absolutely hated racing that season,” says Harry Teal, reflecting on the time, just a couple of years ago, when he was struggling to establish himself as a jockey while in the grip of a serious depression. Not that he recognised the illness for what it was; instead, he tried to soldier on without help for the best part of a year.
“I felt there was a tremendous amount of pressure put on me. I was going racing and thinking, I’m going to do things wrong … and then I would do them wrong. And then I’d feel worse because I’d got it wrong. Relationships at home were falling apart, friends, family. I was distancing myself from everyone. I would go home and fall into a dark hole.”
Written by Chris Cook
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jun/28/horse-racing-helping-jockeys-tackle-mental-health-issues under the title “Horse racing helping jockeys tackle mental health issues | Chris Cook”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
