For the second year, Cork Racecourse Mallow is donating the gate proceeds from the evening meeting next Tuesday, August 4th, to two very deserving causes, the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund and Mallow General Hospital, the first port of call for many jockeys injured on track. The usual admission rates will be suspended for the evening meeting, and, instead, racegoers will be asked to contribute a minimum of €5 to the collection buckets at the racecourse entrance. 100% of all money collected will be donated equally between the two charities.
Unfortunately, the cause resounds even more strongly at the track this year, after Youghal jockey Davy Condon, a familiar face in the parade ring, was forced to retire after fracturing three vertebrae and suffering a spinal shock after a fall at Cork Racecourse on August 31st 2014. He then endured a second spinal shock when falling in the Aintree Grand National and had surgery to remove a disc a few weeks later. Davy rode his last winner at Cork Racecourse Mallow on April 5th.
Irish Injured Jockeys works with individual cases and also supports the Jockeys Emergency Fund, the Drogheda Memorial Fund, and the Irish Jockeys Trust. Funds raised through Irish Injured Jockeys go to the injured riders who are in most need of support. Davy says, “Without the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund I’d be struggling to pay my bills. They’ve been looking after me so well since I got out and it’s the same for other jockeys who have been injured. Also, Mallow General Hospital is so close to Cork Racecourse that if a jockey does get injured they’ll be referred there and well looked after, so it’s all for a very good cause.”
Sales and Marketing Manager at Cork Racecourse Mallow, Mary Kelly, agrees. “Racing is a fast and exhilarating sport for those taking part and for spectators, but jockeys take huge risks every time they race. We know more than most the fantastic job the Irish Injured Jockey Fund does raising both funds and awareness of the ongoing support that is needed. More locally, we as a racecourse and our board of directors also wanted to show our support for Mallow General Hospital which has often treated jockeys injured on our track and provides invaluable care to sick and injured people in our locality.”
“We had a terrific turnout last year and we really hope to see a large crowd this coming Tuesday evening, August 4th. As well as being for two terrific causes, there’s great racing to be enjoyed for the bargain price of €5,” says Mary.
The seven-race flat card goes to post at 5.30pm on Tuesday, with gates open from 3.30pm.