In Jockeys We Trust
August 25th 2010 08:57
The Essendon Nissan McKenzie Stakes, a Listed race run over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley last Saturday, saw the promising Peter Moody trained Anacheeva overcome a perceived track bias when Luke Nolen steered an inside course from well back in the field to gain a narrow victory over his rivals. Taking runs, taking risks, split-second decisions of daring and bravery. We see it every week, but seldom think twice. We take a jockey's skill for granted. In a driving finish, with our profit or loss on the line, we never give a passing thought to the danger of the situation. It is our entertainment and sport. But it is a jockey's ever unpredictable workplace.
(photo: Neil Murray) click image for enlargement
Neil Murray Photography
This photograph by Neil Murray shows Anacheeva poking through in the purple and yellow colours, while inside him in the Darley maroon and white colours is Dwayne Dunn on The Ruffian. The other Darley horse Bullbars (Mark Zahra) is on the outside and would finish third. The favourite Achievements (green and white) can be seen weakening between the placegetters.
This photograph illustrates the competitive nature and tight racing which is a feature of Australian racing.
Before the home turn in this race there was a fall with Marquee Player, ridden by Danny Brereton, going down after clipping heels, and Hollowlea with Nick Hall aboard following and unable to avoid him. As a result of this it appears that Danny Brereton (aged 45) will never ride again, his injuries requiring complicated surgery to his back, in addition to the concussion, hairline fracture of the neck, and punctured lung and broken ribs.
A very dangerous occupation.
This Saturday (28th of August) the Pakenham Racing Club will host the inaugural Jockeys Recognition Day, a day designed to recognise those jockeys prematurely retired through injury.
A jockey's career may end in a race fall in front of thousands of spectators; but just as frequently the injuries sustained are from events remote or in darkness on the training track. Sometimes in the saddle there is the possibility for wealth and glory; but every time in the saddle there is the possibility of serious injury - or even death.
The races on the Pakenham program are named in honour of several of the jockeys who suffered serious injury. Seven races will honour fourteen jockeys, with each race being jointly named. One such race will be named in honour of Elvis “Ricky” Thurgood who was left a quadriplegic after a race fall at Caulfield in 1980. Entry to the course is free, but a gold coin donation to the National Jockeys Trust is requested. The NJT was designed to provide funds for jockeys forced into early retirement through injury.
I reproduce below the overview of The National Jockeys' Trust as presented on their website:
Dedication and bravery are prerequisites of almost every sport, and these qualities are found in abundance in racing. Australian jockeys are elite athletes who quite literally place their lives on the line every time they compete in a race. Sadly, serious injuries are a frequent occurrence, and more than 300 riders have lost their lives since Australian racing first began. While accident insurance has become an essential feature of racing, all too often there are cases where jockeys and or their families are plunged into financial hardship.
The National Jockeys’ Trust is a public charitable trust established in 2004 for the purpose of providing funds and other benefits for the relief of the financial difficulties and needs of jockeys (including apprentice jockeys) and their families, especially where such needs arise through serious injury, illness or death of a jockey. The Trust has been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as an income tax exempt charity and as a deductible gift recipient, and has been registered by the charitable organisation’s licensing agencies in all 8 States and Territories. Grants of financial assistance made by the Trust are strictly governed by the Trust’s Deed. The National Jockeys’ Trust faces a real challenge in raising the funds that are required to provide meaningful assistance to an acceptable percentage of those who qualify under the NJT’s charter.
Anacheeva goes on to win in a tight finish
(photo: Neil Murray) click image for enlargement
Neil Murray Photography
This photograph by Neil Murray shows Anacheeva poking through in the purple and yellow colours, while inside him in the Darley maroon and white colours is Dwayne Dunn on The Ruffian. The other Darley horse Bullbars (Mark Zahra) is on the outside and would finish third. The favourite Achievements (green and white) can be seen weakening between the placegetters.
This photograph illustrates the competitive nature and tight racing which is a feature of Australian racing.
Before the home turn in this race there was a fall with Marquee Player, ridden by Danny Brereton, going down after clipping heels, and Hollowlea with Nick Hall aboard following and unable to avoid him. As a result of this it appears that Danny Brereton (aged 45) will never ride again, his injuries requiring complicated surgery to his back, in addition to the concussion, hairline fracture of the neck, and punctured lung and broken ribs.
A very dangerous occupation.
This Saturday (28th of August) the Pakenham Racing Club will host the inaugural Jockeys Recognition Day, a day designed to recognise those jockeys prematurely retired through injury.
A jockey's career may end in a race fall in front of thousands of spectators; but just as frequently the injuries sustained are from events remote or in darkness on the training track. Sometimes in the saddle there is the possibility for wealth and glory; but every time in the saddle there is the possibility of serious injury - or even death.
The races on the Pakenham program are named in honour of several of the jockeys who suffered serious injury. Seven races will honour fourteen jockeys, with each race being jointly named. One such race will be named in honour of Elvis “Ricky” Thurgood who was left a quadriplegic after a race fall at Caulfield in 1980. Entry to the course is free, but a gold coin donation to the National Jockeys Trust is requested. The NJT was designed to provide funds for jockeys forced into early retirement through injury.
I reproduce below the overview of The National Jockeys' Trust as presented on their website:
Dedication and bravery are prerequisites of almost every sport, and these qualities are found in abundance in racing. Australian jockeys are elite athletes who quite literally place their lives on the line every time they compete in a race. Sadly, serious injuries are a frequent occurrence, and more than 300 riders have lost their lives since Australian racing first began. While accident insurance has become an essential feature of racing, all too often there are cases where jockeys and or their families are plunged into financial hardship.
The National Jockeys’ Trust is a public charitable trust established in 2004 for the purpose of providing funds and other benefits for the relief of the financial difficulties and needs of jockeys (including apprentice jockeys) and their families, especially where such needs arise through serious injury, illness or death of a jockey. The Trust has been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as an income tax exempt charity and as a deductible gift recipient, and has been registered by the charitable organisation’s licensing agencies in all 8 States and Territories. Grants of financial assistance made by the Trust are strictly governed by the Trust’s Deed. The National Jockeys’ Trust faces a real challenge in raising the funds that are required to provide meaningful assistance to an acceptable percentage of those who qualify under the NJT’s charter.
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