A dozen stable staff will get the chance to become jockeys for a day in the first running of the Clock Tower Cup at Doncaster later this month (26 June).
The race over seven furlongs celebrates the hard work that stable staff put in to prepare horses for the races.
The twelve riders that have just been announced are:
- Jordan Mack for trainer Michael Dods
- Kevin Locking for trainer Scott Dixon
- Kelly Adams for trainer John Gallagher
- Stephanie Blackett for trainer Eve Johnson Houghton
- Hollie Smith for trainer Rae Guest
- Julie Heneghan for trainer John Balding
- Claire Dooyea for trainer David Brown
- Jack Jordan for trainer Tony Coyle
- Nancy Ashcroft for trainer Kevin Ryan
- Jemmer Fowler for trainer Dean Ivory
- Kirsty Parker for trainer David O’Meara
The first reserve rider is Amanda Soar for trainer Richard Whitaker.
All entrants will be raising money for Racing Welfare before taking part in the race.
Trainer Scott Dixon, who is represented by Kevin Locking in the race, said he is looking forward to being able to reward his loyal staff.
“Kevin is an extremely dedicated and hardworking member of the team,” said Mr Dixon. “It would be great for all the staff to see him rewarded by winning and enjoying his day in the spotlight.”
Julie Heneghan, 31, who will be riding for the Philip Kirby yard said she was “over the moon” to find out she had a place in the race.
“When taking your horses racing all you really want is that they come home safe, a good run or a place is great, but when they cross that line in front and you know all your hard work has actually paid off, it is an amazing feeling — one you can’t really describe,” she said.
“However, there’s always been one thing missing for me — that feeling of actually being on that horse crossing that line. I guess I never thought that I was brave enough or good enough to try but I wish that I had.
“This is my time to do what I’ve always wanted to do and I will cherish every second of it.”
All the entrants will receive embroidered jackets provided by Steve Jakes and commemorative medals.
The winning rider will be presented with the Clock Tower Cup and a handmade leather race exercise saddle donated by Tony Woodley of Customer Leather Saddles.
Demand for places in the race, sponsored by Socialites Zero, was high and came from across the country; from Darlington in the north-east, Moreton in The Marsh in the south-west, Blewbury in the south to Newmarket in the east and local yards in the Malton area.
