Jump v Flat jockeys race at Roscommon

There were 15 entries received for the Hillstreet Quarries Jog For Jockeys Flat v National Hunt Riders Challenge Handicap, a unique event at Roscommon Racecourse on Monday 15th August, which will see our top Flat riders taking on their National Hunt counterparts in a once off challenge over a mile and a half.

The sponsor Hillstreet Quarries and Roscommon Racecourse will make a donation to the Injured Jockeys Fund as part of their support for the Jog for Jockeys 5m race programme.

Six-time Irish Champion Flat Jockey Pat Smullen heads the flat jockeys’ team while current National Hunt Champion Paul Townend, fresh from his recent Galway Plate victory, will feature for the jump jockeys’ team. A keen battle is in prospect.

The inaugural Jog for Jockeys 5k run takes place on Sunday 21st August. Wayne Lordan & Ben Curtis will be in Cork, Fran Berry & Declan McDonogh will be at Leopardstown, while Hector O’hEochagain will be in Galway. Johnny Murtagh, Pat Smullen & Ruby Walsh will be at Naas. Trainers Willie McCreery, Gordon Elliott & Conor O’Dwyer are going to take part, as will RTE’s Shane O’Donoghue, Racing Post’s Jessica Lamb and RTE Racing’s Tracy Piggott.

The run is still open to entries (entry fee €25), and you can pre-register at www.jogforjockeys.ie with the proceeds going to the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund.

Closing date for online registrations is Tuesday 16th August at 5pm. Registrations are open at each track at 10.30am (until 11.30am), the race starts at 12pm sharp and prize giving is at 1pm. All the family are welcome and children are free. All participants will receive a free t-shirt and goody bag.

Andrew Coonan, Secretary of The Irish Jockeys Association said: “I would like to thank Roscommon Racecourse for staging this challenge. Roscommon have given us a great opportunity to pit the best National Hunt riders against the best Flat riders. This race provides the public with an opportunity to see our finest jockey’s from both codes, while at the same time benefits the Injured Jockeys Fund."

Audrey O’Dwyer, Jog For Jockeys Organiser said: “This race is a great way to help launch the Jog For Jockeys 5k races which are happening simultaneously at five tracks on Sunday 21st August. The tracks are Cork, Down Royal, Galway, Naas and Leopardstown. We would love to see a big turn out from racegoers and their families who want to run or walk."

Michael Finneran, Roscommon Racecourse Manager said: “It is a great honour to stage this challenge race and hopefully we will get a good turnout to mark the occasion. We are delighted to do our bit for the jockeys who work so hard to provide us with the great entertainment that we all enjoy, and I am very thankful to Hillstreet Quarries and my Race Committee for their generous contributions to Jog For Jockeys."