Laois ladies complete The Corinthian Challenge for Irish Injured Jockeys

Irish Injured Jockeys is a national charity that raises money and awareness for our injured jockeys. This past weekend, Leopardstown Racecourse hosted the final leg of The Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series where Meath man, Paddy Woods was crowned the 2019 Corinthian Challenge Champion. Laois ladies, Heather Heffernan and Triona Burbage rode in their final race of the series, a challenge that they committed to several months ago and one that has involved a great deal of training and preparation.

Laois ladies complete The Corinthian Challenge for Irish Injured Jockeys
Heather Heffernan

Heather and Triona have ridden at The Curragh Racecourse, Cork Racecourse Mallow and Leopardstown Racecourse and have made great friends with their fellow Corinthians along the way. They would like to thank their family and friends for their support throughout the challenge and everyone who has helped them along the way especially those who have donated what they could to their fundraising targets. It is not too late to support their fundraising efforts, anyone who would like to donate can do so at corinthianchallenge.com. Retired Champion Jump Jockey, Ruby Walsh, Chairman of Irish Injured Jockeys said “Irish Injured Jockeys (IIJ) is most grateful to Heather, Triona and all of those taking part in this year’s Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series. It takes a driven and committed person to sign up for it, someone who can get race fit and maintain that level for over four months, they have to work with

Triona Burbage

trainers, source horses and raise funds through sponsorship and/or fundraising. Heather and Triona have been a pleasure to work with and the team and I at IIJ are most grateful for their efforts.” Michael Higgins, General Manager of Irish Injured Jockeys said “This is the fourth year that we have run this challenge and it is as attractive to race entrants, racecourses and racegoers as it is for the media to really engage with and as long as there is an appetite for it and racing is happy to facilitate it, we will keep it going. The success of this series is very much dependant on the unwavering support of the racing community. We are extremely fortunate for the support of the owners and trainers who provide horses to participants to ride in these races, the racecourses that stage them and racing officials that oversee each race for us without whom this series would not be possible. It is a big commitment for Corinthian Challengers like Heather and Triona to sign up for a challenge like this too, however, it really is the chance of a lifetime and one we are sure they will never forget. We already have people signing up to take part next year so if you’re interested, visit corinthianchallenge.com today!”

Laois ladies complete The Corinthian Challenge for Irish Injured Jockeys
“12 riders went to post in the final leg of The Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series for Irish Injured Jockeys at Leopardstown Racecourse” Pic by Healy Racing

About Irish Injured Jockeys Irish Injured Jockeys was set up in 2014 to increase awareness and raise vital funds to support injured jockeys. Led by Chairman Ruby Walsh, and leading riders including representatives of HRI and The Turf Club, Irish Injured Jockeys’ vision is to provide long-term care and guidance; not only when jockeys have suffered injury through race-riding, but when they will need help in their secondary careers and in their lives after they have finished riding.

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