The Taoiseach Brian Cowen, TD announced the 2008 Irish Nation l Hunt Jockeys' team to travel to Australia in Galway today. The four jockeys are Shane Jackson, Alain Cawley, Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh.
Nina and Katie are going as specific invitees of the Australian Jump Racing Association. Shane Jackson was the top conditional rider last season and Alain Cawley travels by virtue of winning J P McManus's Martinstown Opportunity Series.
The team fly out on Sunday 11th August and compete in Gawler and Morphettville in Adelaide, then fly to Melbourne to ride at Sandown, moving on to Bendigo and Moonee Valley where they are the feature of the 'Mooney O'Valley Irish Day'.
Horse Racing Ireland are joint sponsors of the Irish team along with the Turf Club (INHS committee) and the jockeys will sport Horse Racing Ireland branded jackets when they are traveling. The team members will also be wearing suits from Brian Beggan of Libra Designs for the ladies and Louis Copeland suits for the men.
Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of HRI said: "We would like to wish Alain, Nina, Shane and Katie the best of luck 'down under' and know that they will represent Ireland and Irish horse racing well when they are out there. This is the twenty-second year of the tour and we are again delighted to be associated with it."
Irish Jockey Team
ALAIN CAWLEY - 20 year-old from Craughwell in Co Galway, has ridden 26 winners. Won the Martinstown Series for conditional riders in the 2007/08 season.
SHANE JACKSON ? 21 year-old from Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, has ridden 40 winners. Champion Conditional Jockey in 2007/08 season.
KATIE WALSH ? 23 years old, from Kill, Co Kildare, she has won the Rockview Series for Amateur riders on two occasions.
NINA CARBERRY ? 24 years old, from Ratoath, Co.Meath. Nina was Champion Amateur rider in 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons.
