At its race meeting held on Thursday, July 31, Gosford Race Club named the first race of the day the National Jockeys’ Trust Hcp to recognise the work the organisation does for jockeys across the country.
Gosford Race Club CEO Mr James Heddo said the tragic events that unfolded last year where young jockey Simone Montgomerie lost her life further emphasised the significant role of the National Jockeys’ Trust. The Trust provides funds and other benefits for the relief of financial difficulties and needs of jockeys and their families when serious injury, illness or death occurs. “To hear that over 500 jockeys have lost their lives on Australian race tracks is a terribly sobering reflection of the dangers associated with race riding,” said Mr Heddo. “The Gosford Race Club, in its support of the National Jockeys Trust, will donate the gate takings, $655, from the meeting at Gosford to that organisation, and will continue to do so annually at the corresponding meeting each year. “There is an opportunity to secure the first week in August each year to a coordinated approach to raise funds for the National Jockeys’ Trust, and Gosford Race Club will continue to be pleased to play a small part in those fundraising efforts,” he said.
Media release, 29 Jul 2014
James Heddo, Gosford
Race Club