Jumps V Flat Jockeys' Challenge

Published at May 19, 2010, 14:55

Leopardstown racecourse today announced details of two challenge races to be run at the course as part of Gaisce Raceday on Sunday 30th May.

Ruby Walsh will take charge of the National Hunt jockeys' team, while Johnny Murtagh will captain the Flat team of riders.

The races are part of a number of events to celebrate the 25th birthday of Gaisce, the President's Award at a specially designated raceday at Leopardstown.

Leopardstown Manager Tom Burke said: “This raceday will be a marvellous celebration of the President's awards which ask young people to set and achieve personal challenges, something that our Flat and National Hunt jockeys exemplify in their daily work. The Jockeys Challenge races will add great interest to a quality card which features the Vodafone Foundation Supports Gaisce Ballycorus Stakes and the Seamus and Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes.”

Johnny Murtagh, Flat Team Captain said:- “It will be a wonderful day and we hope to get lots of young people to come racing for Gaisce day, there'll be loads of activities to entertain them and some people will be coming for the first time and hopefully they'll be bitten by the horse racing bug. The Flat lads are very much looking forward to taking on the top Jump jockeys of Ireland for the two Challenge races.”

Ruby Walsh, NH Team Captain said: - “I think it's going to be a competitive day's racing, whenever the Jump jockeys take on the Flat boys everyone is out to win, its nice to get a chance to ride against the top Flat lads, we've a strong team and we're looking forward, its just a pity I can't ride but I'll be there to cheer the team on.”

Jockeys Challenge Teams:-

National Hunt Team (Ruby Walsh, non-riding Captain):-

Davy Russell

Barry Geraghty

Andrew McNamara

Paul Carberry

Davy Condon

Niall ‘Slippers' Madden

Andrew Lynch

Robert Power

Flat Team:-

Johnny Murtagh (Captain)