The second running of ‘Jog for Jockeys’ in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund will take place at 12 noon on Sunday 29th July at three Irish Racecourses: The Curragh, Leopardstown and Limerick. Hector O’hEochagain and Nina Carberry came together to launch the 2012 event that last year over 780 people took part and raised €25,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Amongst the participants in the inaugural ‘Jog for Jockey’s were well known faces including jockeys Barry Geraghty, Katie Walsh, Nina Carberry, Gary Carroll, Shane Foley, Andrew Duff, Andrew McNamara, Ben Curtis and Wayne Lordan; Trainers Gordon Elliot, Willie McCreery and Conor O’Dwyer; RTE’s Hector O’hEochagain and Shane O’Donoghue; Rugby’s Mick O’Driscoll. RACE apprentice jockeys and staff from Derrinstown Stud.
Organiser, Audrey O’Dwyer said: – “We are delighted to be running the ‘Jog for Jockeys’ again this year. Just like last year there will be a great atmosphere on the three courses and we really do want people to take part – you can walk or run it, it’s really all about participation!”
Dr Adrian McGoldrick, Turf Club Senior Medical Officer said: – "Thank you to all who supported the first ‘Jog for Jockeys’. I would like to reiterate what I said last year by doing so you supported the bravest men and women in Irish sport. Every time they mount a horse to provide you and I with the enjoyment – the buzz and thrill – we all get from racing, they are putting their bodies on the line. What other sportsperson has a minimum of two ambulances and a doctor travelling behind them as they participate? Our riders travel at 35-40 miles per hour on a half ton of horsepower with the risk of falling at anytime from a height of three metres. Last year saw two of our Flat jockeys suffer very serious injuries. Among our National Hunt jockeys we recorded 13 cases of concussion, 36 fractures and multiple other injuries. Apart from the contributions to the Injured Jockeys Fund from owners, trainers and jockeys etc, fundraisers such as this are essential to maintain sufficient funds to support our jockeys when out injured and pay appropriate medical expenses. I was delighted to take part last year, there was a real feel good factor at the event and hopefully it will be a successful fundraiser for years to come.”
Follow www.jogforjockeys.ie on the web, Facebook and Twitter to find out all the latest news.
