Cheltenham Racecourse announces the names of the 12 riders who
will participate in the St Patrick's Derby at The Festival, in aid of Cancer
Research UK. The Flat race, over one mile and five furlongs, takes place on St
Patrick's Thursday, March 14, run as the seventh race of the day.
Over the past three years in excess of £650,000 has been raised
for Cancer Research UK at The Festival and the charity race, won last year by
Olympic Three Day Event rider Tina Cook on Pascha Bere, trained by her brother
Nick Gifford, will be the centrepiece of the fundraising for Cancer Research UK
on St Patrick's Thursday.
The 12 jockeys for the 2013 charity race, selected from over a
hundred applications, include riders based in England, Ireland and France with
a wide range of equestrian skills. Competitors from England include Sky Sports
broadcaster Alex Hammond and Phillip Hemmings, the son of well known racehorse
owner Trevor Hemmings. James Fenton, a member of An Garda Siochana Irish
Police, is one of the riders representing Ireland and Equidia presenter Sally
Ann Grassick, although Irish herself, lives and works in France.
Phillip Hemmings expressed his delight at being selected. He said:
"I am thrilled and excited to have been picked to ride at The Festival and
to be raising money for Cancer Research UK. It is a tremendous honour to ride
at Cheltenham, the home of Jump racing, where my father has experienced many
wonderful moments."
The 12 riders taking part are:
Phillip Hemmings (30,
from Telford, Shropshire), is the son of Trevor Hemmings, owner of
Grand National winning horses Hedgehunter and Ballabriggs, and Festival victors
Trabolgan and Albertas Run. Phillip is the director of one of Britain's leading
National Hunt studs, Wood Farm Stud in Shropshire, which he took over in July
2012 when Bill Bromley retired. Phillip has ridden in a bumper for champion
trainer Paul Nicholls, taken part in two hunter chases and won a point-to-point
in Ireland for Eugene O'Sullivan.
Alex Hammond (38,
Swindon), is a presenter for both Sky Sports News and At The Races.
Since joining Sky Sports News in 2003, Alex has become a regular presenter on
the daily show, 'Good Morning Sports Fans'. Alex has also worked on radio for
Talksport, written a racing column in the Daily Mail and writes a weekly piece
on skysports.com for SkyBet. Alex rides out regularly for Oxfordshire-based
trainer Lawney Hill and champion trainer Paul Nicholls in Somerset and has
gained valuable experience riding in over 50 amateur Flat races.
James Fenton (37, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland), is from a large family of racing enthusiasts in Fermoy, Co Cork
and can regularly be found riding out for his uncle, David Fenton as well as
local trainer Pat Flynn. James is a member of An Garda Siochana, Ireland's
national police service, currently stationed in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford,
attached to the detective unit. James' wife Joanne, lost a member of her family
to cancer in 2011 and James is riding in the Cancer Research UK Charity race at
The Festival in their memory.
Harriet Bond (20, Shipton Oliffe, Glos), is an accomplished event rider based in Gloucestershire, close to
Jonjo O'Neill's Jackdaws Castle stables, where she regularly rides out on her
mother's horses. Harriet, a History of Art student at Kingston University, has
competed in charity races at York, Goodwood and Newmarket and is looking
forward to riding at Cheltenham where her boyfriend, jockey Richie McLernon, is
a regular rider. Harriet has the full support of her family and various family
businesses such as BMI and Bond Aviation Group.
Brian Bunyan (45, London),originally
from Kildare Town in Ireland juggles a busy corporate life, as a director in
the Financial Markets Division of Standard Chartered Bank in London, with his
passion for racing.Brian is making a comeback to race riding after 25 years
since his last ride. During his school days, he rode four winners as an amateur
jockey at Punchestown, Leopardstown and Killarney and has three horses in
training in Ireland. In 2011 Brian ran the London Marathon for Racing Welfare
and is active in raising money for Standard Chartered Bank's in-house
charity(Seeing is Believing), which has raised more than $50million to treat
preventable blindness in developing countries.Brian has personal motivation for
raising money for Cancer Research UK as he lost his father to cancer.His father
(Arthur) worked in horseracing for more than 60 years and with a small string
had considerable success, including training Local Whisper to win the
Tattersall Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival. Brian's brother Darren, who is
now training in Ireland, will provide him with a horse for the race.
Alison Royston (38, Whixley, York), has been inspired to ride in the Cancer Research UK St Patrick's
Derby as she lost her mother-in-law to Myeloma, an incurable form of bone
marrow cancer, in November 2012. Alison is currently employed as the Head of
Football Administration for Leeds United Football Club, having previously
fulfilled the same role for the FA Premier League and is delighted that the
Leeds United Fitness Coach has agreed to put her through her paces with a
specially tailored fitness programme ahead of her big day at The Festival in
March! Alison has been riding since she was three years of age taking part in a
variety of equestrian disciplines, and currently rides out at Ben Haslam's yard
in Middleham, North Yorkshire where she has two horses in training. The cheers
will certainly be heard in Leeds if Alison is able to live out her dream and
ride a winner at The Festival.
Lucy Watson (32, London),
is Digital Subscriptions Manager for the Racing Post and has gained valuable
experience on the racecourse riding in point-to-points and working for
Yorkshire trainer Tim Walford. Lucy has taken up the challenge of riding in the
St Patrick's Derby to support her mother who, in the last 18 months, has been
diagnosed with the rare form of cancer, Sarcoma. Lucy would like her mother to
watch her ride at Cheltenham, a place they both hold dear in their hearts.
Mark
Holder (47, Bristol),has fantastic memories of Cheltenham Racecourse from when his
father, Richard Holder, won the Triumph Hurdle at the 1989 Festival with Ikdam
and hopes that March 14 this year will prove an equally memorable occasion. As a child, Mark lost his best friend to
cancer, and is hugely motivated to raise as much money as he can for Cancer
Research UK. Mark has ridden in point-to-points, over hurdles and on the Flat
as an amateur, but hasn't competed in any type of race for over 25 years. Mark
keeps himself fit by riding out for trainer Michael Blake, who may also provide
him with a mount for the race.
Grainne Loughnane (27, Navan, Co Meath, Ireland), is a solicitor for Walsh & Co and currently enjoys riding and
competing on 2006 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Newmill. Grainne is hoping
to ride Newmill in the St Patrick's Derby and reports that his owner, Mrs Mary
Hayes, is excited about the prospect of her champion returning to Cheltenham to
take part in another race at The Festival. Grainne is an experienced rider who
has ridden as an amateur in point-to-points, hunter chases and bumpers and
regularly hunts with the Ward Union and Meath Harriers.
Rachael Harding (25, Marlborough, Wiltshire), works for the Tedworth Hunt in Wiltshire and has ridden all her
life. Rachael's mother Heather Ridley trains point-to-pointers and has herself
battled with cancer over the years and Rachael's father Mick died in January
2012 following a long battle with cancer. Rachael looks forward to the support
of her many friends and family who will enjoy following her campaign.
Andrew Croskery (30, Ditcheat, Somerset), works for champion trainer Paul Nicholls in Ditcheat. Andrew has
worked for some of the top National Hunt trainers including Willie Mullins and
Donald McCain and is currently training his own point-to-pointer. Andrew was
diagnosed with cancer of the salivary gland at 27 and following surgery and
radiotherapy was able to return to work in January last year. Riding at The
Festival would be the highlight of his career to date and he is looking forward
to raising money for Cancer Research UK following all the support he received
whilst undergoing his own treatment for the disease.
Sally Ann Grassick (29,
Lamorlaye, France), originally from
Ireland, but now lives and works in France, is a presenter and journalist for
the French racing channel Equidia. She currently holds an amateur licence in
France and has ridden in various races over the past five years, winning one
last year for Andre Fabre and Sheikh Mohammed on French Oaks day at Chantilly.
Cancer Research UK is a charity close to Sally Ann's heart as her father died
from skin cancer four years ago.
Cheltenham Racecourse's Regional Director, Ian Renton, said:
"We have been delighted with the success of the St Patrick's Derby at The
Festival which has helped Cancer Research UK raise an incredible amount of
money over the last three years. The riders that have taken part have been
seriously competitive and the race has proved a popular addition to what is
already a great day's racing."
Frances Milner, Director of Supporter Led Fundraising at Cancer
Research UK, added: "We are truly delighted to be involved in this very
special charity event at The Festival. Over the past three years the charity
race, on St Patrick's Day at Cheltenham, has raised a staggering amount of
money for our lifesaving research. We're really looking forward to yet another
successful race this year.
"The money raised through the charity race and our wider
partnership with the racecourse will make a real difference to the vital work
of our scientists, doctors and nurses, who are all working to help us beat
cancer sooner. We wish all of the participants the best of luck and hope that
they enjoy the day."
● Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity
dedicated to saving lives through research.
● Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its
life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on
every pound donated.
● The charity's pioneering work into the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
● Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress
that has already seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years.
● Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of
cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
● Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research
UK's vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
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