JOCKEY CELEBRATION DAY
CLIFFORD PARK HONOURING FALLEN & INJURED JOCKEYS THIS WEEKEND
CLIFFORD Park Racecourse will come to a standstill this Saturday afternoon to celebrate National Jockey Celebration Day.
Half an hour before race one, Toowoomba Turf Club Committee, staff, jockeys and Queensland Racing & Integrity Commission representatives will stand side-by-side at the track’s winning post to pay respects to fallen and injured jockeys.
Toowoomba Turf Club Chairman Kent Woodford said this year’s Jockey Celebration Day was particularly personal for Clifford Park. Injured Toowoomba trackwork riders Ben Saunders and Wade Clasohm are this year’s JCD Ambassadors.
“Ben will join us on the track this year, which is very special. The National Jockeys Trust are an incredible support to the industry and we must take time to honour their work. This year the service will include a blessing from Southern Region Queensland Police Service Chaplain Jeff Baills, together with a minute’s silence,” Mr Woodford said.
The ceremony is part of National Jockey Celebration Day and similar ceremonies will be held across Australia this weekend. Statistics reveal that more than 880 jockeys have lost their lives in race falls in Australia over the years and many more have suffered serious injuries.
When: Saturday, August 5, 2017 Time: 4.30pm
Where: Winning post, Clifford Park, Hursley Road, Toowoomba
Media opportunity:
Photographs/video footage/interviews available with:
* TTC Committeeman Bob Frappell
* Injured trackwork rider Ben Saunders and competing jockeys