LIMERICK Racecourse will hold a special fundraising fixture on Monday October 14 in aid of the Jockeys Emergency Fund after approval from Horse Racing Ireland (HRI).
The fixture will be held the day after the Munster National and will form part of a two-day meeting at the Greenmount venue.
The Racecourse will donate media rights and gate receipts to the fund while HRI will pledge entry fees and sponsorships for the meeting.
Limerick Racecourse manager Russell Ferris hopes that the plight of jockeys JT McNamara, a native of Limerick, and Jonjo Bright will convince people to turn out and support the fundraiser.
He says: “It is hoped that a very significant amount of money can be raised for the Jockeys Emergency Fund to support the rehabilitation efforts for both JT McNamara and Jonjo Bright. There is a fantastic camaraderie within the horse racing fraternity and recent events have once again brought this bond to the fore.
“As Limerick Racecourse is JT’s local track, with many of his relations and closest friends plying their trade here on a regular basis, we are most grateful to HRI for granting us this fixture, providing the opportunity to stage this fundraising event here at Greenmount.”
HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh commended Limerick Racecourse for proposing the idea, adding that the lack of race meetings elsewhere on the day could free up trainers and jockeys from further afield to get involved.
“Horse Racing Ireland applauds this initiative by Limerick Racecourse and I would encourage everyone in the wider racing, breeding and point-to-point community to get behind it. Recent serious injuries suffered by Limerick jockey JT McNamara and Northern Ireland jockey Jonjo Bright have highlighted the vital need for the Jockeys Emergency Fund. There is no National Hunt racing in Britain on the selected date of Monday October 14 and I know that Limerick plan to enlist the support of British trainers and riders for this fundraiser.”
