Corinthian Challenge awaits 14 amateurs in Irish Injured Jockeys fundraiser

A few familiar faces from the racing and bloodstock industries will bravely be putting their riding skills in the spotlight in the name of charity for the Corinthian Challenge, which begins at the Curragh on Sunday.

Last held in 2019, the series will see 14 amateurs of varying ages and career paths take part in three races across the summer and autumn. Each are attempting to raise €10,000 for the Irish Injured Jockeys fund.

Jane Davis, the head of equine marketing for Connolly’s Red Mills, has been preparing for the challenge for the last two years, with her previous chance lost to the pandemic. She has been riding out for near-neighbour Tom Mullins and has her first mount on his staying handicapper Takarengo.

"It's a huge raceday and an unbelievable stage to get to do it, I'm sure there'll be a bit of imposter syndrome walking in there with a bag," she said.

"I would never in my wildest dreams have thought I'd get to ride at the Curragh but everyone from the valets, the injured jockeys themselves and the trainers and owners we're all riding out for have been helpful; to facilitate giving us horses to run is a big deal.

"What's been so motivating is that you put in the work to prepare for it but when people are sponsoring and you see the money come in, it means so much. It's a big target and these aren't straightforward times we're living in so for people to be putting it behind us is huge.

"It's the biggest fundraiser for the IIJ, they've missed the last two years and it's an important year for them."

There will be double the interest for the Irish National Stud as two of its employees – Laura Bennett, who works in the mares and foals unit, and breeding management assistant Stan Begley – are taking part.

Another to watch will be Joan Tyner, a bloodstock executive at Goffs. Her mother Mary, the wife of trainer Robert, took part in the 2019 event to honour the memory of their son, Jack, who died after a fall at Dungarvan point-to-point in 2011.

Peter O’Reilly, once an amateur rider who works in the mortgage business, knows what a good horse looks like as he bred Bensalem and took part in a Cheltenham Festival charity race in 2011, the same year the smart chaser won at the meeting.

Policewoman Emer Lawlor and Fiona Dowling, who led up Silver Birch when he won the 2007 Grand National and now works at the RACE jockey academy, are also involved along with Neil Durkan, involved in the construction industry but son of trainer Bill, Bluegrass horse feed representative Craig Kileff, Darren Harrison, Dean Ryan, Michelle O’Brien, Marie Valet and Laura Burnett. Links to their donation pages can be found on the website.

Davis suspects competition will be close. "A few of us got together in Kildare the other night just to catch up and put all of our nerves at ease," she said. "It kind of made everyone settle a bit and realise we're not doing it alone and are all in the same boat."

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