Turning Cheltenham Yellow for Tiggy on Friday December 10th

Cheltenham Racecourse will be enveloped in a sea of yellow on Friday December 10th for the launch of Tiggy’s Trust at its International meeting.

Tiggy Hancock died in a tragic riding accident in June 2021 aged just 15, whilst at team training for the Pony European Eventing Championships. She was from Co Carlow in Ireland, one of three daughters to Frank and Jane Hancock, both English who have lived in Ireland for some years.

Tiggy was an extremely talented rider who had ridden at the Horse of The Year Show in working hunter pony classes every year from the age of nine. She and her older sister Lucy were the British Show Pony Society Burghley Gold Cup Champion and Reserve Champion winners in 2019. At 13 years old, Tiggy was a member of the Irish Bronze medal winning team at the European Pony Eventing Championships.

She was a dedicated and determined rider who was destined for stardom in equestrianism. She was a great friend to many, always offering encouragement and support and was admired by those who did not know her personally.

Tiggy’s Trust is a charitable foundation set up in Tiggy Hancock’s memory. The race day will include The Tiggy’s Trust Novices’ Steeple Chase at 12.40 and a sizeable fundraising effort at the course to which 700 plus guests will attend including 20-time Champion jockey, Sir Anthony McCoy, eventing Olympian gold medallist, Laura Collett, and former multiple Irish Champion jockey Ruby Walsh.

Tiggy’s favourite colour, yellow, has been emblazoned by equestrians across the world over the past six months to commemorate her short inspirational life and Cheltenham will embrace this theme by ‘turning yellow’ on this day.

Tiggy’s Trust will use the funds raised to assist young people both by offering mental health support, through recognised organisations, to those who need it, and also providing training and education to help young aspiring equestrians achieve their goals. A proportion of the funds raised on the day will also go to the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Pony Racing Authority, two organisations close to Tiggy’s family’s heart and ethos.

On the day at Cheltenham, Tiggy’s Trust will host a champagne lunch in the vibrantly and exquisitely yellow Tiggy’s Tent, one of several fundraising initiatives on the day. The ‘Yellow Ribbon’ tent will also host a large number of friends of Tiggy’s and the wider community who will come together to celebrate Tiggy’s life and support the event. Equestrian and Racing personalities attending will partake in questions and answers sessions and giving racing tips on the day. The day will culminate with a band singing some of Tiggy’s favourite songs in the Centaur Arena. A limited number of tables, tickets and flight packages are still available with details at: https://tiggystrust.com/#cheltenham

Two auctions form part of this fundraising event, the first an online auction which will open on December 1st and close on the day. Full details of all of the exciting lots and how to bid will be made available shortly. The second, a live auction on the day, will consist of a small number of ‘Money Can’t Buy’ exclusive items, and will take place in Tiggy’s Tent conducted by Tattersalls’ auctioneer, Alastair Pim. A Tiggy’s Trust merchandise stand, and information point will also be a hive of activity selling a variety of items and educating racegoers on Tiggy’s Trust objectives.

Tiggy’s family, incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement they have received to date, commented:

“We are delighted to be welcomed to Cheltenham Racecourse to launch Tiggy’s Trust in memory of our beloved daughter and sister. Tiggy touched the lives of so many in her short life — her golden heart, infectious fun personality and cheeky smile was extended to all who knew her. Despite her young age she had the capacity to reach out and offer positivity to those around her, both young and old, and through the Trust we hope to continue that legacy.”

Ian Renton, Regional Managing Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, says:

“We are both honoured and delighted to welcome Tiggy’s family and friends to Cheltenham and will do everything we can to support the launch of this wonderful new Trust in her memory.”

Lisa Hancock, CEO of the Injured Jockeys Fund says:

“ We feel very privileged to play a small part in this, and hope that we can support Tiggy’s Trust as it launches. We know that involvement with horses and ponies at a young age can foster a life-long passion and increasing the support available and improving accessibility is so important to us.”

Clarissa Daly, CEO of the Pony Racing Authority, says:

“We are thrilled to be involved with Tiggy’s Trust and look forward to working with the Trust to ensure Tiggy’s legacy is continued. With the support of Tiggy’s Trust we will be able to help young equestrians to cope with the pressures they face and help them achieve the same high standards of sportsmanship and positivity that Tiggy lived by.”

For more information please go to:

www.tiggystrust.com