Your chance to ride in the St Patrick's Derby at the Festival

Entries are now open for riders who wish to take part in the St Patrick's Derby at The Festival in March, 2012. The one mile and five furlong Flat race, in aid of Cancer Research UK, will take place at Cheltenham on Thursday, March 15.

Entries will close on January 1, 2012, after which 12 riders, six men and six women, will be selected to take part. Riders should be 16 years of age or above and race-fit to take part. Licensed amateur jockeys and point-to-point riders are welcome to apply. The selected riders will be required to raise a minimum of £5,000 each for Cancer Research UK and provide their own horse, which must have run at least twice either under Rules or in point-to-points.

Over the past two years, in excess of £400,000 has been raised for Cancer Research UK at The Festival and the charity race, won last year by broadcast journalist Lorna Fowler on the Sir Henry Cecil-trained Plato, will be the centrepiece of the fundraising for Cancer Research UK on St Patrick's Thursday.

Cheltenham Racecourse's Managing Director, Edward Gillespie, said: "Cheltenham Racecourse has been delighted with the success of the charity race over the last two years which has raised an amazing amount of money for Cancer Research UK. The riders that take part have been seriously competitive and the race has proved a popular addition to what is already a spectacular day of high-class Jump racing."

If you are interested in taking part in the St Patrick's Derby charity Flat race at The Festival, please contact Sarah Oliver, at the Amateur Jockeys Association, on 00 44 1886 884488 or e-mail [email protected] Entries close on January 1, 2012.