Wannabe jockeys can sign up for 2009 John Smith’s People’s Race

Would you like to race on Grand National Day at Aintree next year?

Wannabee jockeys are being asked to come forward for the 2009 John Smith’s People’s Race at Aintree Racecourse on 4 April, 2009.

The flat horserace, now approaching its third year, is held in front of a huge television audience at Aintree on Grand National Day (4 April, 2009).

This year, jockeys selected for the charity amateur flat horserace will attend a rigorous “boot camp” to ensure they are up to scratch on both their fitness levels and riding ability.

Training will take place during the first few months of 2009 at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster and the British Racing School in Newmarket.

Jockey coach at the British Racing School, Richard Perham, said: “This year we will be pushing the riders harder and quicker with the aim of moving them on from basic riding skills and into technical aspects of racing.”

To be eligible, riders must be 21 or over and must not have held a professionally jockey’s licence or raced under rules at a racecourse.

Each of the 10 riders chosen to take part in the race will collect £5,000 for their chosen charity. The winner will receive £50,000 for their charity plus either a five-star trip for two to Dubai for racing’s 2010 World Cup, or support from John Smith’s to continue training as a jockey.

Applications opened yesterday, Sunday 26 October, and close on 5 December. Successful jockeys will be notified by 22 December and start their training regime in the new year.

Julian Thick, managing director of Aintree Racecourse said: “The John Smith’s People’s Race has, in a very short space of time, become a popular feature at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting.

“We are looking forward to giving 10 more members of the public the unique opportunity to ride at one of the world’s most famous racecourses on its biggest day of the year.

www.peoplesrace.com.

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