There's no group braver than the children in Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin, says top Tipperary jockey Rachael Blackmore

Over 30 top Irish jockeys and industry personalities took part in a special festival rendition of ‘Carpool Karaoke’ at The Curragh this week.

The initiative is part of the build-up to the jockeys’ inaugural official visit to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin on Thursday, December 19.

Among those taking part was Tipperary jockey Rachael Blackmore who is looking forward to meeting the children in hospital.

She said – “Carpool Karaoke has been great fun but there is a serious side to why we are all here too!

“Jockeys are often praised for bravery going down to a fence at 40mph, taking falls, getting back on but the reality is that’s just what we do and it’s our chosen profession.

“From our eyes, there is no group more brave or special than the children at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, along with their parents and the staff. We are honoured to be swinging by to say hello and meet those heroes this Christmas.”

The competition was judged by renowned retired flat Jockey, Pat Smullen. A suite of short videos professionally produced by IRIS will be shared on social media from Horse Racing Ireland’s social media platforms over the coming weeks.

These will include video content of the competition itself, the funny outtakes and bloopers and most importantly, some footage of the jockeys very special visit to Crumlin too.

The novel idea is the brainchild of Galway based jockeys’ physio John Butler who felt the industry needed a good shot of festive fun in advance of the busy Christmas racing period.

Jockeys who took part in festivities included Paul Townend, Barry Geraghty, Sean Flanagan, Donagh Meyler, Rachael Blackmore, Áine O’Connor, Niall Madden, Jody McGarvey, Mark Walsh, Jack Kennedy, Denis O’Regan, Billy Lee, Kevin Manning, Mick Hussey, Ross Coakley, Gary Halpin, Donagh O’Connor, Nathan Crosse, Niall McCullagh and Ricky Doyle.

Industry personalities included Jennifer Pugh, Adrian McGoldrick, Michael Higgins, Andrew Coonan, Pat Healy, Darren Lawlor, Sharleen O’Reilly, Padraig Roche, Kevin O’Ryan, Lorcan Weir, Brendan Sheridan and the IRIS crew (Marie Arnold, Mary Crowley, David Quinlan, Anthony Moss and Cian Quish).