The Injured Jockeys Fund at 50 - support it with a Christmas sweater or at Barbury's point-to-point charity race
If you are stuck for a Christmas present for the man who has most things, why not buy him a Racing Post Christmas sweater being sold to support the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) in its fiftieth birthday fundraising drive. They are not exactly like racing silks, but they are certainly bright. And they might suit mum as well.
Only last week when he 'returned to work' after a longish injury layoff, AP McCoy tweeted: "Big thanks to the staff at [IJF's] Oaksey House for getting me fit and healthy."
If the sweaters do not appeal, you can go to the Point-to-Point Owners and Riders meeting on Sunday, December 7 at Barbury Castle and not only enjoy six races, but in celebration of the IJF anniversary you can watch a special charity race that will kick off the day’s action.
Eleven jockeys of varying vintage will be dusting down their breeches to ride over a mile at Barbury racecourse up on the Marlborough Downs. Since it was established in 1964 the IJF has evolved into one of the most recognised charities within horseracing, helping over 1,000 jockeys and their families and paying out more than £18 million in charitable assistance.
Former lady point-to-point champion Polly Walker (née Gundry) will be riding Unconventional, trained by her husband Ed Walker. With a six year absence from racing, Clare Hazel, from Wantage has been getting fit by riding out for Nicky Henderson. She will ride Fourovakind - a gelding bred by her family and hand reared as a foal by her husband, the trainer Matt Hazel.
The sponsor-less versionTik Saunders, daughter-in-law of Grand National winning rider Dick Saunders, has also been in training for the charity race. She told Marlborough News Online: “If ever there was a bullet proof reason to get some silks back on and ride in a race after a gap of 17 years - this is it! I am immensely proud to support The Injured Jockeys Fund, which was the amazing brainchild of the late John Oaksey”.
Awarding the prizes for the charity race will be para dressage rider Ed Chanin and Wayne Burton, both who have benefited from the IJF's Oaksey House facility following serious riding accidents.
Sweaters aside, there will also be a silent auction at the Barbury Racecourse. Feature lots will include hospitality in a private box for ten people at Wincanton Races, a visit to the historic Jockey Club rooms at Newmarket and a morning on the gallops with Barbury’s resident jumps trainer Alan King.
Click to enlargeThe point-to-point is open to everyone. Tickets cost £10 per person on the gate. Charity race at 11.00am.
There is more information on the Point-to-point Owners and Riders website.
Runners and riders for the IJF Charity Race at Barbury Racecourse Sunday, 7 December
1. OFFSHORE ACCOUNT ridden by Pandora Bailey, Hungerford Trainer: Tracey Bailey
Bay gelding 14 years
Colours: Royal Blue, Pink Stars, Royal Blue Sleeves, Pink Diablo, White Cap.
Offshore Account is now team chasing for Team Ride Away, 3rd in the Foxhunters at Aintree
2. STATE DEPARTMENT ridden by Tim Mitchell, Dorchester Trainer: Paul Swaffield
Bay gelding 7 years
Colours: Blue & White Quarters with a Red Sash, Blue Sleeves and Cap.
Tim rode Fantus to win the 1997 Foxhunters & rode Bond Jnr to win the 1995 Lady Dudley Cup. Retired in 2000 through injury and has since been working as a race reader for the Racing Post.
3. ORANGUTAN (Monkey) ridden by Maise Rollason, Kineton Trainer: Bronwen Hurley
Bay Gelding 12 years
Colours: Yellow, Pink X Belts, Quartered Cap.
Maisie Rollason is 16 years old and has competed in Pony Racing. Maisie is hoping to have a first ride Point-to-Pointing this season.
4. ROYAL ETIQUETTE ridden by Tik Saunders, Teeton Trainer: Lawney Hill
Bay gelding 7 years
Colours: to be confirmed.
Tik’s first winner Pointing was in 1982 and her first winner under National Hunt under rules was in 1983
Tik was the leading lady rider in the Midlands. She rode 36 Point-to-Point winners,
19 winners under National Hunt rules and 33 Arab Winners
5. SHALAMIYR ridden by Chris King, Watersperry Trainer: Craig Pilgrim
Grey gelding 9 years
Colours: Dark Blue, Grey Hooped Sleeves, White Cap.
Chris has actively been involved with racing since 1965 when he rode at Twesledown. Chris rode for 20 years and his last ride was in in 1985 winning the South Oxfordshire Mares race, which he had previously won some 20 years before. Chris rode over 100 winners, 19 under rules, and was lucky to ride some lovely horses including Eyecatcher and Indemelia. Chris is now a starter, steward and judge. He is an owner and trainer of Point-to-Pointers.
6. CHAPEL HOUSE ‘BENNY’ trainer / rider: Richard Harper
Bay gelding 11 years
Colours: Yellow Hoop and Armlets Check Cap.
"An old sort and they don’t come much older."
7. FOUROVAKIND ridden by Clare Hazel, Wantage Trainer: Harry Whittington
Bay gelding 9 years
Colours: Emerald Green, Dark Blue Hooped Sleeves, Star on Cap
Clare spent 12 years working at the Professional Jockeys Association then joined the Point-to-Point Authority in April 2014. Clare has been getting fit riding out for Nicky Henderson and today rides her family homebred.
8. UNCONVENTIONAL ridden by Polly Walker Trainer: Edward Walker
Bay mare 5 years
Colours: Light Blue with Brown Spots, Brown Cap with Light Blue Spots.
Polly Gundry got married in July this year to Edward Walker and have produced their first child Daisy. Polly rode Pointers from 1992 until 2011 and had 303 Point-to-Point winners and 50 under National Hunt rules. She was Ladies point-to-point champion 8 times.
9. YAIR HILL ridden by Sally Duckett, Newbury Trainer: Geoffrey Deacon
Bay gelding 6 years
Colours: Red, Grey Sleeves, Emerald Cap
10. CHANDLERS CROSS Trainer / Rider: Lou-Anne O’Hara, Leighton Buzzard
Chestnut gelding 12 years
Colours: White Body Red Sleeves White Stars, Red Cap White Stars.
11. OCEAN LAD ridden by B. Houghton Trainer: Jane Price
Bay gelding 6 years
Colours White, Red Stars, Red Cap White Star.