Thirsk Racecourse will hold a charity race for stable staff on Friday, July 26, benefiting the Injured Jockeys Fund and Graham Lee.
The Graham Lee IJF Fund Stable Staff Stakes, supported by Sky Bet, features 10 volunteers from various racing yards competing in a mile-long race using only 'hands and heels' techniques. Professional jockeys will lead the participants, all of whom have committed to a minimum sponsorship goal of £500.
Graham Lee, who has experienced remarkable success in both flat and jump racing, notably won the Grand National in 2004 on Amberleigh House and the Gold Cup at Ascot in 2015 aboard Trip to Paris. Tragically, the 48-year-old suffered life-altering injuries from a fall in Newcastle last November.
Race organiser Adele Mulrennan shared, “We did this a few years ago before lockdown, raising funds for Racing Welfare, and it was a great success. It was a chance for the jockeys to show their appreciation for stable staff, so we came up with the idea of swapping roles, with stable staff riding in the race and jockeys leading them up. It was a huge hit, and the jockeys got right behind it. Then lockdown hit, and we never got a chance to do it again.
I have been chatting to a few jockeys this year, who said they have not had a chance to get behind any of the fundraising for Graham Lee. They were keen to do something, so I said why don’t we do this again, except this time raising funds for the Injured Jockeys Fund and Graham."
John Greeves, affiliated with John & Sean Quinn, commented, "I said it would be a pleasure, as it is for a good cause. I first worked for John Quinn in 2006 and was here for a couple of years. Then unfortunately, I lost my mum and dad within four months of each other. I came out of racing – I just couldn’t be around the horses all the time – but five years later, I could not stay away. My mum and dad used to race point-to-point, and so did my sister in her 50s in Northern Ireland. It’s just in my blood. They say dogs are a man’s best friend, but, for me, it’s horses."
Erin Boswell, Thirsk’s General Commercial Manager, expressed, “We are delighted to be able to host this race at Thirsk. Graham is a true inspiration to us all and was a regular rider with us here before his accident. It is amazing how strong the community spirit is in racing, especially Yorkshire, and we’re very proud to play our part in it.”