The sport of horse racing showed the heart that makes it special yesterday when a charity race day at Limerick, in aid of the Jockeys Emergency Fund, drew a crowd of over 10,000 and a sum raised that will go north of €350,000.
The day was brought to life only three months ago when a small group came together to do something for the charity that is supporting the rehabilitation of JT McNamara and Jonjo Bright, both of whom suffered catastrophic injuries in falls while riding over jumps earlier this year.
Yesterday’s event drew the best from within the sport including multiple time Champion Jockeys Tony McCoy, Ruby Walsh, Kieran Fallon and Johnny Murtagh, as well as soccer manager Steve Bruce, Niall Quinn and local stalwart of the racing and sporting scene JP McManus.
All proceeds from gate receipts, sponsorship, prize money, riding fees and a charity auction will go the the fund which has been established to provide care and assistance for jockeys that suffer disability like the broken necks and paralysis of the two riders. It is estimated that the cost of this care will be in the region of €300,000 per year for each rider.
The charity auction was an electric affair with a bid of €55,000 securing the use of a set of silks donated by Horse Racing Ireland and one of €26,000 for a morning at Jonjo O’Neill’s racing yard and a day at the Cheltenham Festival afterwards.
The November Sport for Business Members’ Round Table will be on the subject of Philanthropy and Sport. Click here for details.
The age profile of racing fans was perhaps indicated by the fact that a signed guitar from the Corona’s generated €6,000 while four tickets to see One Direction came in at €4,500.
There was good cross sport support as well with two framed hurleys signed by the Cork and Clare teams in this year’s All Ireland final going for €5,000.
A pair of boxer shorts worn yesterday by 18 times Champion Jockey Tony McCoy raised €3,500.
Sport is a serious affair at times but it rarely fails to set the pulse racing and the emotions raging. In that sense it has a power that is otherwise rarely felt. That power was seen to full effect yesterday with an outcome that will make a difference to the two young men who are facing such an enormous challenge.
Sports Analytics Round Table – Oct 24
Sports Tourism Seminar – Nov 07
Irish Sponsorship Awards
Sports Philanthropy Round Table
Youth Sports Conference
Sport for Business 20/20 for 2015 – Oct 07 2014
