The Thoroughbred Racehorse Association is a proud sponsor of National Jockeys Trust Raceday at Caulfield. An annual sponsor now for the third year running, the National Jockeys Trust hold a race meeting once per season to raise funds. The raceday has an official fundraising luncheon, race sponsorships with funds going to the NJT, and each race the top weight wears the NJT jockey silks.
The National Jockeys’Trust was established by the Australian Jockeys Association in 2004 to provide support for riders who have encountered life changing, career ending injuries and who are in need of assistance.
Whilst support for fundraising efforts is growing, the National Jockeys’Trust faces a real challenge in raising the funds that are required to provide meaningful assistance to an acceptable percentage of those who qualify under the NJT’s charter.
Currently there are numerous jockeys nationally who are suffering hardship because of their injuries. There have been several jockeys in recent years that have suffered such injuries where they will never ride again. Some of their injuries are permanent disabling, including serious spinal and head injuries. 2013 was a tragic year, with both Simone Montgomerie and Desiree Gill both losing their lives in race riding accidents.
Please visit www.njt.org.au for further information about the Trust, upcoming events and the online store.
The next National Jockeys Trust event is the Jockeys v Racing All Stars Cricket Match on 13 January at Casey Fields. The day is a free racing community event for the whole family complete with Pony Rides, Jumping Castle and a range of kids activities.
