Lingfield jockeys putting their money where their foul mouths are

Turning the air blue has helped to keep the Injured Jockeys Fund in the black, all thanks to a woman who has turned riders' bad language into hard cash.

Tina Waghorn looks after the jockeys' canteen at Lingfield, a venue where mealtimes are by all accounts unlikely to be confused with a vicar's tea party.

Rather than cover her ears and blush, she has been making the jockeys pay for their bad behaviour with a swear box and she has just handed over a cheque to the IJF with the fruits of riders' effing and blinding.

"Tina has been the host in the canteen for around three years and she looks after them really well, but she doesn't take any nonsense," said Lingfield PR & Partnerships Manager Debbie Hay. "What she says goes.

"The swear box was her idea. She thought it would be a good way to make some money for the IJF and it's been brilliant – even she is surprised at how much she's raised."

The swear box is still in place – jockeys be warned – but an initial cheque for £264.74 has already been handed over to the IJF.

Professional Jockeys' Association executive director of racing Dale Gibson welcomed the news and said: "It's raising money for a great cause. Well done to everybody involved."

Dale Gibson: 'I certainly swore a time or two!'Credit: Louise Pollard

Gibson's long career riding, including ten years for Mick Easterby, means he's not unfamiliar with the odd swear word and gave him an insight into jockeys' language.

He said: "You might get the odd shout during a race – quick and to the point – and they tend to swear quite a bit when they're coming back from a long trip in a car full of jockeys. There can be a few choice words.

"But it's generally light-hearted stuff in the weighing room and no more than any other human being. I rode for 24 years and I certainly swore a time or two!"

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