Movember becomes official charity partner of Qipco British Champions Series

Jockeys Oisin Murphy, Charlie Bishop and Tom Marquand stripped down for a bold charity campaign video to mark a new partnership between Qipco British Champions Series and leading men's health charity Movember.

The riders' fierce and competitive natures found on the track were washed away as they cheerfully posed while promoting the importance of regular self-examinations for testicular cancer.

The video is part of the 'Know Thy Nuts' campaign after it was announced Movember would be the first ever official charity partner of the British Champions Series.

Despite the light-hearted nature of the campaign, the jockeys were keen to express the seriousness of the matter at hand.

Marquand, who was champion apprentice in 2015, said: "It’s shocking to think almost two-thirds of 18-34-year-old men don’t know they're in the most at-risk age for this disease. Anything we can do to raise awareness is really positive."

Murphy said: "In the weighing room and in all walks of life there's always a lot of banter, but it can sometimes be hard to really talk to people about the serious health issues that affect men.

"This is a brilliant partnership which will hopefully bring these things out in the open and help people get the support they need."

Owen Sharp, chief executive of Movember, said: "We're delighted to announce our partnership with British Champions Series, and for their support during Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.

"The fact so many men are unaware they're in the highest-risk age group is very worrying. There’s a widespread assumption it’s a disease that predominantly affects older men but that’s not the case."

The partnership will see British Champions Series work with Movember to provide information and guidance on what to do when health suffers and will focus on awareness-raising and fundraising.

As part of the partnership, health stickers and testicular cancer awareness posters featuring the three jockeys will be provided to all racecourses and to jockeys in the weighing room.

Fundraising initiatives will take place on and ahead of British Champions Day at Ascot on October 19. The British Champions Series will support Movember’s other initiatives, including those around World Suicide Prevention Day in September.

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