The Graham Lee IJF Fund Stable Staff Stakes, sponsored by Sky Bet, will take place on Friday, July 26 in support of the Injured Jockeys' Fund and Graham Lee, Thirsk Racecourse announced on Wednesday.
The race sees 10 volunteers from racing yards compete in a one-mile 'hands and heels' race. The riders will be led up by professional jockeys, with all participants having agreed to meet the minimum sponsorship obligation of £500.
A Grand National-winning rider, Lee prevailed in 2004 aboard Amberleigh House (Ire) (Buckskin {Fr}). He also won the 2015 G1 Gold Cup aboard Trip To Paris (Ire) (Champs Elysees {GB}). The 48-year-old sustained life-changing injuries after a fall at Newcastle last November. For more information on the charity race, please visit the Thirsk Racecourse website.
Race organiser Adele Mulrennan said, “We did this a few years ago before lockdown, raising funds for Racing Welfare, and it was a great success. It was a chance for the jockeys to show their appreciation for stable staff, so we came up with the idea of swapping roles, with stable staff riding in the race and jockeys leading them up.
“I have been chatting to a few jockeys this year, who said they have not had a chance to get behind any of the fundraising for Graham Lee. They were keen to do something, so I said why don't we do this again, except this time raising funds for the Injured Jockeys Fund and Graham.”
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