Fundraising boost for Injured Jockeys Fund
The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) — which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year — is to benefit from a new fundraising initiative from Al Shaqab Racing.
Qatar’s Sheikh Joaan’s Al Shaqab outfit has selected 20 horses and will donate its prize-money this season to raise funds for the £3.1million Jack Berry House, the IJF’s 2nd rehabilitation centre due to open in Yorkshire in November.
And Olympic Glory provided the ideal start by winning the Group One JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday (17 May).
Although Olympic Glory is not one of the “Super 20”, Sheikh Joaan has donated his £120,000 Lockinge winnings to kick-start the initiative.
Al Shaqab racing advisor Harry Herbert said: “Sheikh Joaan wants to support the fantastic work Jack Berry and the IJF are doing all over the country, and Jack Berry House is the perfect vehicle.”
IJF vice president Jack Berry said: “What a great start with Olympic Glory winning at Newbury. I know everyone at the IJF will be cheering on those 20 horses all season.”
£50,000 prize-money already accrued by four of the selected horses — 1000 Guineas 9th Sandiva, Sir Mike, Ayaar and Al Thakira — has also been donated.
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The other horses are: Aldayha, Aledaid, Alhamareer, Asyaad, Barreesh, Bnedel, Brutus, Lathah, Lwah, Mishgar, Osaila, Shamshon, Sirheed, Thahab, Wajeeh and Ya Hade Ye Delil.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.