The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) celebrated its 50^th anniversary last year, and I’m thrilled that the charity has formed an association with Horse & Hound — a brand even more established than our own.

The late Lord Oaksey was the racing reporter — known as Audax — for the magazine for nearly 30 years and he would have been particularly proud to hear the news that the charity he founded is to be supported in 2016 as H&H‘s charity of the year.

When the IJF was set up in 1964 — to help injured jockeys Paddy Farrell and Tim Brookshaw — never in a million years would they have expected it to have grown to such a size.

The founders had a whip round to raise some money for those two, and half a century later the IJF has helped more than 1,000 jockeys.

The IJF now has two fantastic rehabilitation centres, Oaksey House in Lambourn as well as Jack Berry House in Malton, which opened this year.

Both provide excellent care for jockeys, and now also other riders, including Kitty King and Laura Collett, both of whom H&H speak to in 31 December’s magazine.

For anyone who wants to recover quickly the centres are an excellent facility — we have anti-gravity treadmill and hydrotherapy pools.

Noel Fehily says in the current issue that the IJF has helped racing advance, and I believe it’s now even ahead of other professional sports.

There are so many different things available to young jockeys now that weren’t around in my day – fitness coaches, nutritionists and training.

It’s fantastic that the charity is so well-known now too. There have been remarkable cases recently, such as lsabell Tompsett who was back on a horse this year after a fall in 2011 that left her in a coma, and Brian Toomey, who in 2015 regained his jockey’s licence after being given only a 3% survival.

Chris Kinane was kicked in the head at Wolverhampton more than 10 years ago and the IJF has been helping him ever since. I went to visit him recently and his progress was a joy to see, he is now able to speak and interact, something he wasn’t able to do two years ago.

It’s not just about rehabilitating physical injuries though — the charity is also here to help jockeys get back on track in life.

One ex-jockey had come off the rails and an almoner went to visit. She filled up his car with petrol, bought him new tyres and filled up his fridge. He’s since found a job and paid it all back, but that’s what it’s about, making life easier for people and helping whatever the issue.

As president I’m just the front man — the heroes are the almoners, John and Jackie Porter who run Oaksey House, Lord Oaksey, Jack Berry all those people that put in so much hard work every day.

Happy new year to all, I urge you to support the IJF’s initiatives and follow it through H&H in 2016 — I couldn’t recommend the charity more.

John Francome

Injured Jockeys Fund president

For a behind the scenes look at Oaksey House, plus interviews with Kitty King, Aaron Miller, Noel Fehily and Laura Collett — who have all been helped by the IJF — don’t miss this week’s issue, out today (Thursday, 31 December)

Horse&Hound is proud to name the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) as our charity of the year for 2016.

The charity does important work for riders and their families who have been affected by injuries in their sport.

In the past 51 years more than 1,000 jockeys have been helped by the IJF.

With two rehabilitation centres and direct support across the country, jockeys hurt in their line of work have access to free rehab and training, as well as support and advice.

More recently the charity’s work has also extended to riders in other disciplines, most notably eventers.

How the IJF began

Two serious falls led to the creation of the IJF. On 21 March 1964 jockey Paddy Farrell suffered a devastating fall at Aintree and Tim Brookshaw suffered a career-ending fall at the same track several months earlier.

Following these incidents — both of which resulted in paralysis — Clifford Nicholson, Edward Courage, Fred Winter, Peter Vaux and John Lawrence (later Lord Oaksey) set up the charity to help injured jockeys.

Lord Oaksey — who was H&H’s racing correspondent Audax for nearly 30 years — continued as president of the IJF until his death in 2012.

The facilities

In 2014, the charity celebrated its 50th anniversary and the IJF now boasts two state-of-the-art facilities.

Oaksey House opened in Lambourn, Berks, in 2009 while Jack Berry House was unveiled earlier this year in Malton, Yorks.

There is a respite area in both centres, with en-suite accommodation.

The IJF also has a team of almoners to support injured jockeys around the UK.

“We have a network of people to respond to jockeys longer-term needs,” said the IJF’s Lisa Hancock. “Some are permanently injured and we’re here to make it as easy as possible for them and their families.”

Help for all

As well as countless jockeys, event riders Kitty King, Laura Collett, Aaron Millar and H&H blogger Susanna Hext are among those who have been helped by the IJF.

In 2013 Kitty broke her wrist in a couple of places being knocked over in the field and went to Oaksey House for rehab.

Aaron Millar has been benefiting from the facilities at Oaksey House following a serious car crash in April. He suffered severe internal injuries including a haematoma on his bowel.

Treatment at either of the two rehab centres is free for jockeys, and riders on the World Class programme can receive funding via the British Equestrian Federation. Other equestrians can pay for themselves or use insurance to benefit from the facilities.

“Riders can make contact with the team, who will assess how best to offer treatment,” Lisa Hancock told H&H.

“The centres are there first and foremost to offer support to injured jockeys, but we are very keen to share with other disciplines. Rehab is tailored to individual needs, but our team knows what riders need to return to the saddle.

“We look forward to working with H&H throughout the year, raising the awareness of the IJF’s two state-of-the-art rehabilitation centres, Oaksey House and Jack Berry House, whose physio and gym facilities are now available to the wider equestrian community.”

H&H has made a donation to the IJF for every advert in the magazine that carries the charity’s logo. Please join us by donating via our dedicated JustGiving page.

For interviews with riders Aaron Miller, Kitty King, Laura Collett and Noel Fehily, plus a behind the scenes look at Oaksey House, don’t miss this week’s issue of H&H magazine, out today (Thursday 31 December).

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Headed by the Princess Royal, the racing world attended a service of thanksgiving for the life of Lord Oaksey at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, last Wednesday (7 November).

Lord Oaksey, who was Horse & Hound’s esteemed racing correspondent “Audax” for 29 years up to 1988, died on 5 September aged 83.

His immense contributions as a sporting writer and broadcaster, as an amateur steeplechase rider and as founder, former chairman and president of the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) were warmly praised in addresses by Sir Edward Cazalet and H&H columnist Brough Scott.

Sir Edward said John Oaksey, formerly John Lawrence, had bridged the gap between the “talkers and the doers” and he was unrivalled in articulating the glorious triumphs and shattering disappointments of racing.

His work for the IJF, he added, would earn Lord Oaksey a kind of immortality. Lord Oaksey believed that if you enjoyed privilege, you should make a contribution to those less fortunate.

Brough Scott said that as a rider, John Oaksey was an immense enthusiast and, although not a stylist, he had “improved with age”. He was still winning races at 46. He recalled John’s great sense of humour and his renown as an after dinner speaker.

John Francome — a Channel 4 racing colleague and the new president of the IJF — read from John Oaksey’s famous report on his own narrow defeat on Carrickbeg in the 1963 Grand National, by Pat Buckley on Ayala — a “dream that only became a nightmare seconds before the dawn…”

There were also readings by his grandchildren Alfie Bradstock and Calypso and Oliver Lawrence.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (15 November 2012)

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There will be two thanksgiving services next month in memory of Lord Oaksey, who died on 5 September, aged 83.

The prominent racing journalist, former amateur jockey and founder of the Injured Jockeys Fund had endured a long illness.

The first service is at St Paul’s, Knightsbridge, in London, at 3pm on Wednesday, 7 November. The other will be held at All Saints, in Oaksey, Wilts, at 2pm the following Friday (9 November).

Edward Cazalet and Brough Scott will repeat their London addresses at the second event.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (4 October 2012)

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Lord Oaksey, racing journalist, H&H reporter, former amateur jockey and founder of the Injured Jockeys Fund, has died aged 83.

He died this morning (Wednesday 5 September) at home following a long illness.

A well-respected journalist and broadcaster Lord Oaksey wrote for many years as “Audax” in Horse & Hound.

Lord Oaksey was also a successful amateur jockey – he rode more than 200 winners and had 11 Grand National rides between 1961-1975.

He famously won the Whitbread Gold Cup and Hennessy Gold Cup – both on Taxidermist in 1958.

As an owner he recorded an emotional success last November when his homebred chaser Carruthers won the Hennessy at Newbury, ridden by Mattie Bachelor and trained by his son-in-law Mark Bradstock.

In 1964 Lord Oaksey founded the Injured Jockeys Fund, and remained president until he died. The charity has done vital work and has since helped more than 1,000 jockeys and their families. And in 2009 Oaksey House, a rehabilitation centre for jockeys was opened in Lambourn.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Lord Oaksey was presented with the Sir Peter O’Sullevan award for services to horse racing on Thursday, 27 November.

He was presented with the award at the 12th annual Sir Peter O’Sullevan awards lunch in London.

The founder and president of the Injured Jockeys Fund rode over 200 winners as a jockey including the Whitbred Gold Cup and Hennessy Gold Cup — both on Taxidermist in 1958. He is also well known as a racing correspondent and broadcaster.

Previous winners of the award include The Queen, Michael Dickinson, Lester Piggott and the Aga Khan.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now