Adding further financial weight to its ongoing commitment to Australian racing, Ladbrokes is donating $10,000 to the National Jockey’s Trust ahead of the annual Melbourne race day at Flemington this weekend.
The trust was set up to assist jockeys past and present to relieve the financial hardship which might befall them or their families following an injury or even death whilst participating in a sport for all our enjoyment.
“Ladbrokes is one of the largest supporters of the Australian racing industry and we are more than happy to support important organisations like the NJT and their initiatives,” Ladbrokes Australian Chief Executive, Jason Scott said.
“The work the NJT do to support jockeys, both past and present, is an incredibly important part of the racing ecosystem and we are proud to be giving back to the participants through the appeal.”
Ladbrokes ambassador and legendary jockey Jimmy ‘Pumper” Cassidy welcomed the donation and encouraged all racing fans to dig deep for the hoops.
“It is an incredibly dangerous sport but one which brings so many people, so much enjoyment and, let’s be honest, the jockeys are the first to cop it when things don’t go as planned but if you have a good win this weekend – or any weekend – show a bit of love for man or woman in the saddle,” Cassidy said.
If you would like to donate to the National Jockey’s Trust, follow the link below and dig deep.
https://njt.org.au/donation/donation/
FACT BOX (courtesy of njt.org.au)
Since 2004, the NJT has provided over $4.3 million in assistance to more than 430 jockeys and the families of jockeys that have been lost.
- Sadly, 882 Australian jockeys have been killed in race falls since 1847
- More than 200 riders are injured each year on Australian racetracks
- 500 race falls annually
- 89% of jockeys will have a fall that requires medical assistance during their career
- 9% of jockeys have fallen more than 20 times during their careers
- Each year, 40% of jockeys will have a fall that will prevent them from riding for 5 weeks or more
- 5% of these falls are considered “career-ending”.
- 50% of Australian jockeys earn less than $60,000 per year (before expenses)
- It is estimated that in the next 10 years, there will be 12 jockey fatalities and around 50 jockeys will suffer career ending injuries that will include cases of paraplegia, quadriplegia and brain injury.