Ricardo Nunes e Jockey Club de São Paulo

The mayor of São Paulo, Ricardo Nunes (MDB), announced last Wednesday (03) a plan that could transform the city’s historic Jockey Club into an equine therapy center.

The objective would be to employ the professionals who currently care for the horses on site. However, the proposal has generated controversy.

Differences between equine therapy and turf

Recently, Nunes sanctioned a law that prohibits horse racing with betting in the city. The measure, currently suspended by an injunction, threatens the continuity of the Jockey Club.

“The professionals who work with equine therapy are completely different from those who work on horse racing”, explains dental veterinarian Fabíola Soares Miolo. For her, the proposal reveals a lack of knowledge about the reality of the Jockey Club and its workers.

Equine therapy requires a specialized team of psychologists and occupational therapists, who have specific experience in dealing with horses. But Jockey Club professionals are independent and hired by the horse owners.

These professionals have skills focused on training young and agitated animals. “The horses themselves are not the same, especially at the stage of life that turf animals are in”, highlights Miolo.

Around 3,000 professionals care for approximately 600 horses at Jockey. Thiago Nastás Haidar, trainer and veterinarian, believes that a municipal equine therapy center could be positive, as long as it does not mean the end of racing.

“The Jockey is already a park open to the public, with a very rich fauna and flora. There are free toucans and parrots and specimens of brazilwood within the land”, comments Haidar.

Jockey Club: public space or equestrian potential?

Haidar also believes that there is a communication problem between the Jockey and society. Many do not realize that the space is public and freely accessible.

“No one pays to enter and visit the spaces. There is no space in the São Paulo and Santo Amaro horse stables to keep the horses. This way, we could have stables for them and jumping boxes at the Jockey Club too, in addition to other equestrian activities.”

Nunes’ proposal to transform the Jockey Club into an equine therapy center aims to create an alternative for racing professionals. But, at the same time, it faces criticism for the lack of understanding about the specificities of equine therapy and the needs of horses and their trainers.

Therefore, this transformation, if handled poorly, could end a centuries-old tradition and harm many professionals. Therefore, it is essential that decisions are made based on a broad and informed dialogue, involving all stakeholders.

After all, the Jockey Club is more than just horse racing, it is a historical and cultural heritage of the city of São Paulo.