Andrew Nicholson is to ride in a race at the Cheltenham Festival to raise money for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Lose two stone
Now in its sixth year, the St Patrick’s Derby sees twelve amateur riders race over a mile and five furlongs on the flat.
“In another life I would have loved to have been a jump jockey, and riding at the Cheltenham Festival, the home of jump racing, is the closest I’m going to get to this dream,” said Andrew.
“At my age, you need to take the opportunities while they’re there and what better charity to do it for than the Injured Jockeys Fund as I have the most enormous respect for jockeys. I’m looking forward to the training for the race, but not to shedding two stone!”
Amateur race
The charity race is open to anyone who can raise at least £5,000 in sponsorship. The jockeys have to make their own arrangements to find a horse to ride, which must have run at least twice under racing rules.
Other riders joining Andrew include the PR director for Coral, a senior cabin crew member with Aer Lingus, a bloodstock manager in Newmarket to the head lad of champion jump trainer Paul Nicholls.
Previous winners
Previous winners of the St Patrick’s Derby include racing TV presenter Lorna Fowler and Olympic silver medallist Tina Cook.
The charity derby is the final contest on the third day of The Festival on 12 March.
Runners
Clifford Baker -Head Lad to eight-time champion Jump trainer Paul Nicholls.
Lucy Charnock – Injured Jockeys Fund Almoner for the South East.
Simon Clare – PR & Broadcast Director for Coral bookmakers.
Phillip Clark – Longstanding cameraman for Racing UK.
James Collins – Company Director, a former Jump jockey (1987-1996) and champion conditional in Ireland in 1989.
Jonathan Mills – Bloodstock Manager at Darley in Newmarket.
Olive Murphy – Senior cabin crew with Aer Lingus. Held an amateur licence in Ireland from 1993 to 1996.
Andrew Nicholson – one of the world’s top equestrian riders
Hayley O’Connor – PR Manager for Ladbrokes in Ireland and keen showjumper.
Emily Scott – racing assistant at Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.
Mike Symons – Director and founding partner of Canterbury Partners
Thomas Williams – student at Loughborough University and pupil assistant to trainer Violet Jordan.