Stable Staff Stakes: grooms get chance to shine in the saddle at Thirsk

Championship-chasing jockey Danny Tudhope will be temporarily swapping jobs on Friday as he, along with 11 other professional riders, prepares to lead up a runner in the stable staff race at Thirsk.

The Creditas Taking Care of Business Stable Staff Stakes (1.30), ran over a mile, features 12 competitors from yards in Britain who are raising money for Racing Welfare.

But for the first time the stable staff will be led up by professional jockeys, with Tudhope joined by the likes of Franny Norton, Cam Hardie and Callum Shepherd.

Charlotte Mulhall, who rides Liamba and is being led up by Tudhope, said: "Both my mum and dad were jockeys, so it will be great to follow in their footsteps. Also, it’s nice to give something back to Racing Welfare after everything they do for people working in racing."

James Sanderson, general manager of Thirsk, added: "Thirsk is delighted to host this opportunity for stable staff to race-ride and raise funds for Racing Welfare in the process.

"Well done to all the jockeys who come out to lead them up before the race and demonstrate their personal appreciation for all the hard work stable staff routinely undertake for them. It’s great to see."

Stable staff race: runners and riders

Amy Fife
Horse: My Amigo trained by Marjorie Fife
Groom: Harrison Shaw

Cameron Hillhouse
Horse: Ice Cool Cullis trained by Daniel Mark Loughnane
Groom: Callum Shepherd

Claire Bolam
Horse: Relight My Fire trained by Tim Easterby
Groom: Rachel Richardson

Chelsea Brooks
Horse: Amity Island trained by Ollie Pears
Groom: Phil Dennis

Hazel Brown
Horse: Lagenda trained by Liam Bailey
Groom: Kevin Stott

Sophie Brown
Horse: Baron Run trained by Karl Burke
Groom: Clifford Lee

Lucy Conuel
Horse: Rebel State trained by Jedd O’Keeffe
Groom: Jack Garrity

Georgia Morrill
Horse: Windsor Cross trained by Richard Fahey
Groom: Cam Hardie

Charlotte Mulhall
Horse: Liamba trained by David O’Meara
Groom: Daniel Tudhope

Isaac Amos
Horse: Lyford trained by Alistair Whillans
Groom: Andrew Mullin

Natasha McKee
Horse: Pudding Chare trained by R Mike Smith
Groom: James Sullivan

Sharron Morris
Horse: Top Offer trained by Patrick Morris
Groom: Franny Norton

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with our up-to-the-minute Raceday Live service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app