Johny Murtagh encourages Wicklow charity to ‘keep up the great work’
Young trainee jockeys from the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE), in Kildare, raced on 22nd March against on of the world’s top jockeys Johny Murtagh at the Curragh racecourse, as part of the Gaisce Award Scheme (the President’s Awards) and raising money for several charities, including the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT).
Johnny Murtagh, one of the best known names in international racing and also a former pupil of RACE, encouraged not only the young jockeys but also the IHWT to ‘keep up the good work’.
The horses the trainee jockeys were riding were all ex-racehorses including Rince Ri, Drop the Penny and Irish Empire. After the parade and an exciting race with the trainee jockeys over seven furlongs, RACE presented Claire Goodwillie, on behalf of IHWT, with a donation of €1000. IHWT members were delighted to be included as a beneficiary of this event and send their congratulations to the winning jockey.
Marc Monahan from Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, was first past the post, Nathalie Flynn from Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny, came second and Jonathan Moore, from Wexford, was third.
“It is wonderful to see this support and level of acknowledgement of the IHWT work,” said Sharon Newsome, manager and co founder of the IHWT. “A big thank you to all those who have participated in this event.”
The IHWT operates a unique retraining programme in Ireland for ex racehorses, helping them make a transition from the track to other successful careers. “This programme is something that the IHWT is extremely proud of. We are also working around the clock with the rescue and re homing of distressed horses and ponies across the country.”
The Racing Academy & Centre of Education (www.race.ie) is a modern and well-equipped training establishment and an international centre of excellence that is the envy of many racing nations. The site, which originally comprised Curragh House and seven acres of the Irish National Stud, has evolved into a 30-acre campus as RACE has developed into a national academy serving the training needs of the broader thoroughbred industry.