Irish team ready for Jockey Challenge

Rachael Blackmore and Donagh Meyler will fly out this Saturday August 26th, to join Australian-based jockeys, Martin Kelly and Shane Jackson, who will make up the Irish team for the 2017 Australia v Ireland Jockey Challenge.

This is the 31st consecutive year that an Irish team has been invited to Australia to participate in the jockey challenge. There have already been 41 contests staged in the two countries, with Ireland taking the honours on 25 occasions, Australia winning 15 times and one draw.

Team Ireland won the Australia v Ireland Jockey Challenge last year and Irish Team Manager, Sean Lynch, is hoping for back-to-back wins: "We have a strong team heading over this year to join Martin and Shane in taking on the Australians and I'm very confident that we can win. It is a great experience for the jockeys who travel over and we receive the very best of Australian hospitality every year."

Nominated by Thoroughbred Racing South Australia, respected jumps jockeys Martin Kelly and Shane Jackson live and work in Australia and the South Australian Racing Authority hopes that, including them in the Irish team, will encourage more Irish jockeys to travel to Australia. Martin has Von Doussa and Great Eastern victories to his name both aboard champion jumper Thubiaan, while Shane took this year's Australian Chase aboard the Symon Wilde-trained Gold Medals.

This year's competition kicks off at Murray Bridge on Wednesday August 30th. The team will then travel to Morphettville Racecourse for Irish Day on Saturday September 2nd to complete the challenge.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: "I'd like to wish the Irish team the best of luck in this year's Australian challenge. It's a big honour to be chosen to represent your country and I am sure that Rachael, Donagh, Shane and Martin will do us proud and continue the winning streak for Team Ireland."

Jim Watters, CEO, Thoroughbred Racing SA, commented: "The Australia v Ireland Jockey Challenge is always highly anticipated by both the jockeys and the spectators, and while we are thrilled to be welcoming two up and coming stars of Irish jumps racing to Australian shores, we hope that the Australian team can reverse last year's result and keep the Challenge trophy in Australia this time around."