McCoy and Blackmore go head to head in charity event for Injured Jockeys Fund

A day after the Lionel Messi versus Kylian Mbappe showdown in Qatar, racing has its own clash of the titans when Sir Anthony McCoy goes up against Rachael Blackmore on Monday evening.

The 20-time champion jockey will take on the first woman to win the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup or Champion Hurdle at the London International Horse Show.

As with the Argentinian and French aces, the two will be part of a team packed with stars in the sixth Markel jockeys showjumping challenge in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund.

McCoy will be joined by Brian Hughes, Harry Skelton, Jim Crowley and James Doyle in a men's side who have ridden more than 10,000 winners between them.

Blackmore is accompanied by Bridget Andrews plus Flat riders Saffie Osborne (a former gold medallist at pony international eventing), Joanna Mason and Hayley Turner in a contest that, like the World Cup final, will be shown live on the BBC (albeit on the red button, Sky channel 981).

Kick-off is at 6.30pm and there was fighting talk that Jose Mourinho would have been proud of from McCoy in the build-up to the clash.

"At our last appearance in 2019, we were beaten by the girls, so we’ll be putting that right this year," he said.

"In all seriousness though, it’s for a great cause in the Injured Jockeys Fund – and we all love taking part."

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