The rise of in vogue weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy has hit racing, with jockeys across Australia using the popular medications to help manage their weight for raceday.
Betsy understands multiple riders have been able to access the popular medications, which require a prescription from a doctor, as part of the battle to keep their riding weight manageable.
The class of medications, which are mainly administered via a series of regular injections, have been discussed at racing’s regulatory level, but stewards at this stage remain comfortable to keep them off the list of substances banned for use by riders.
Debate continues in certain circles regarding appropriate weights in racing and whether more allowances should be made. The sport is also struggling to attract male riders, with realistic weight one reason given as to reason for the shortage.
When contacted by Betsy, Racing Victoria’s Chief Medical Officer Ben Baressi declined to comment about the potential scope of use for the drugs within the industry and whether they are safe for use by jockeys, but the use of new-age weight-loss drugs is now accepted within the sport.
Ozempic, Mounjaro, Retatrutide and Wegovy all fall under the category of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
While GLP-1s were originally developed for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, they have risen to prominence via ‘off label’ prescriptions for other effects, namely weight loss.
They work, in part, by reducing appetite and, in theory, could help an already-light jockey shed a small amount of weight that is otherwise difficult to lose via traditional means like dieting, exercise and raceday sweating.
The drugs have spawned a phenomenon worldwide and become commonplace in everyday society.
A University of NSW study released in 2025 revealed that at least half a million Australians are taking GLP-1 medications Ozempic and Mounjaro every month – up 10-fold since 2020. The study didn’t include sales of Wegovy or Retatrutide.
In December, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration issued new safety warnings for several high-profile GLP-1 receptor agonists, linking the medications to serious side effects including depression and a reduced effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
The drugs are also on the radar of the World Anti Doping Agency, with anecdotal evidence indicating their use by elite athletes across many sports.
“I’m sure some (athletes) would have tried it to lose a few kilograms, no question,” Professor Olivier Rabin, WADA Senior Director of Science and Medicine told The Observer in the UK last year.
“If you can improve your weight-to-power ratio you’re going to have a benefit in cycling, running, and possibly in swimming as well.”
“We want to see whether we detect patterns of abuse of this drug or this class of substances in sport.”
“So we keep an eye on them because there’s been a change in paradigm in the way weight can be controlled because of those drugs.”
“So there is an interest from all sides, from the performance enhancing aspects and health protection of the athletes with this class of substances (and) will they end up being on the (banned) list.”
