The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today announced that Dr Jerry Hill MBE will retire later this year from his role as Chief Medical Adviser.
Dr Hill has served in the role since 2014 and has played a central role in advancing medical and healthcare standards across British racing. He will remain with the BHA over the coming months to support a smooth transition, including assisting with the recruitment and induction of his successor.
Dr Hill joined the BHA in 2014, having been Senior Racecourse Medical Officer at Lingfield Park racecourse, a Squad Doctor for the England Football Teams at the FA, as well as a member of the Football Association Medical Committee and former Sports Physician at the 2012 London Olympics.
During his time with the BHA, Dr Hill has forged close relationships across the sport and has been a tireless advocate for the welfare of jockeys and riders. He has championed the mantra that jockeys are elite athletes and that their healthcare provision and routines should reflect this, with an increased focus on physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and mental health care as standard practice.
Jerry played a vital role in the development of enhanced on-course medical care and physiotherapy services, working with racecourses. He also worked closely with organisations such as the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF), Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), Racecourse Association (RCA), Amateur Jockeys Association (AJA), and Point-to-Point Authority (PPA) to ensure that jockey and rider wellbeing remains central to the sport’s healthcare provision.
Memorably, Dr Hill played a leading part in the sport-wide collaborative effort to maintain British racing during the COVID-19 pandemic, with racing’s development of return-to-racing protocols ensuring that the sport was given the green light to be the first sport to return to professional action following the lockdown.
As a result, Dr Hill was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours for services to British Horseracing during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the George Ennor Trophy for Outstanding Achievement in Racing at the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA)’s annual “Derby Awards” in December 2020, and the Presidents’ Special Award at the Professional Jockeys’ Association “Lesters” awards, also in December 2020.
The BHA will begin the recruitment process for a new Chief Medical Adviser shortly. Dr Hill will remain in post to assist with the process and take part in the new appointee’s induction.
BHA Acting Chief Executive Brant Dunshea said:
“Jerry has made a significant and lasting impact on British racing. His passion, knowledge and leadership have helped shape a progressive approach to jockey health and medical care. He also played a crucial role in guiding our decision making and our engagement with government as the sport navigated the challenges of the pandemic, for which we are all hugely grateful.
“On behalf of the BHA and everyone in British racing, I want to thank Jerry for his outstanding service and wish him the very best for his retirement. I am also grateful that Jerry has agreed to remain in post until his successor can be found, and to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities”
Dr Hill said:
“It has been a privilege to work in a sport where the welfare of its people is taken so seriously. I’ve greatly valued the opportunity to work closely with jockeys and industry colleagues to help place the health of riders at the heart of the sport’s medical care. British racing is fortunate to have so many skilled and committed professionals working to support its participants, and I look forward to seeing that work continue.”
