Gerald Mosse is one of the prominent names set to participate in this year’s Graham Lee Vickers.Bet Leger Legends Classified Stakes at Doncaster on Sunday. Mosse, who retired from jockeying to pursue a training career, began his riding career in 1983 and enjoyed a remarkable career. The 57-year-old has won some of the world’s most prestigious races, including the Melbourne Cup on Americain, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Saumarez, the Prix du Jockey Club three times, the Prix de Diane five times, and the Prix de l’Abbaye twice. He also secured several Group One victories in the UK and had a stint in Hong Kong. Mosse rode Arazi to five wins as a two-year-old, although Pat Valenzuela took over for Arazi’s memorable Breeders’ Cup Juvenile win.
Andrew Thornton, a member of the organizing committee for the race, shared that the event will raise funds for the National Racing College, the Injured Jockeys Fund, and Jack Berry House. This year’s race will honour Lee, Thornton’s former weighing-room colleague, who suffered life-changing injuries in a fall last November.
Thornton expressed enthusiasm about Mosse’s involvement, noting, "It’s fantastic to have Gerald on board this year. He was eager to participate. We had hoped to include Olivier Peslier as well, but something came up, although he’s keen to join us next year, which is great."
The event will feature a diverse mix of former Flat and jump jockeys, both men and women, from England, Ireland, and beyond. "We’ve assembled a wonderful group of ex-jockeys," Thornton added. "We’ve had to bring in Jimmy McCarthy to replace Jamie Osborne, as Saffie Osborne mentioned she needs to keep her dad on a tight leash! Jamie has a runner, so he might still end up riding for him."
Horses will be allocated rather than drawn, with some jockeys having spent weeks riding out to specific stables, which is a safety consideration.
Thornton, a Gold Cup winner himself, is delighted to see Jim Culloty and Richard Johnson return, with Bryan Cooper also joining the lineup. Grand National winner David Mullins is a new addition for 2024, along with Megan Nicholls and previous winners Sammy-Jo Bell and Tom Scudamore. Neil Pollard, Mark Enright, Adrian Nicholls, Jason Edmunds, Brian Harding, and Adam McNamara will also be participating.
Thornton concluded, "This is the second year that Vickers.Bet has sponsored the race, and we owe a big thanks to Jo Vickers, who has visited Graham several times. Graham gave his blessing to have his name in the title this year."