Irish Injured Jockeys Corinthian Challenge grand finale at Leopardstown

On Saturday 21 October, ten amateur riders will take part in the final leg of the Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys at Leopardstown Racecourse.

The highly anticipated race will be the third and final race of the series, previously riders have lined up under starters orders at Naas and The Curragh.

The Corinthian Challenge is a three-race series open to amateurs who want to fundraise for Irish Injured Jockeys in a unique way. During the challenge participants enjoy an experience of a lifetime.

These brave volunteers get to enjoy first-hand what it is like to be a jockey, riding out in the mornings, training and perfecting their riding style and technique, dealing with trainers to secure rides and competing at some of Ireland’s best tracks. 

Each rider cites a different reason for their participation. For some it simply offers the excitement and thrill of riding on the track, but for most of the participants, the reasons are personal, many challengers have close connections to the industry and with those who have benefitted from the charity over the years and want to give something back.

All challengers are tasked with a fundraising target of €10,000 to compete in the challenge, their fundraising drives are ongoing throughout the entire series.

A colourful mix of participants hail from Antrim to Kilkenny with interesting day jobs from a primary school teacher to company director taking part, every rider brings with them a unique story. 

At 5.20 pm at Leopardstown Racecourse, Eimear O’Gorman, Martina Dempsey, Niamh Ashe, Damien Moore, Vivienne Connolly, Katy Brown, Anna Cropper, Michael O’Neill, Darren Dunne and Aimee Murphy will line up for the final leg of the 2023 series.

Although they are all winners, who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their training regimes and fundraising efforts, it is a competition and there can be only one champion.

The series is run on an accumulation of points model. Each race allocates points to the first four home, with ten points for a winner, seven points for second place, five points for third position and three points for fourth. In addition to the race winner claiming victory at Leopardstown, we will also see the overall winner crowned Champion of the Corinthian Challenge 2023.

As we approach the final furlong, the competition remains too close to call. The current leaderboard stands Damien Moore with 17 points, followed closely by Michael O’Neill and Martina Dempsey on 10 points, with Katy Brown and Niamh Ashe with 5 points and finally Aimee Murphy with 3 points, so it is still all to play for.

Ruby Walsh, Irish Injured Jockeys Chairman said, "The Corinthian Challenge is Irish Injured Jockey's major annual fundraising event, and we are so grateful to all of those who are taking part. It is a major commitment and the funds they raise are vital to our charity and all that we do here.

"I would also like to thank the owners, trainers and grooms who have supported them with horses to ride on race days without which this series simply could not happen.

"All of us at Irish Injured Jockeys would like to wish the challengers the very best of luck ahead of their final race. We can’t wait to see how the race itself goes and who will be this year’s overall Corinthian Challenge Champion.”

For the ten Corinthian Challengers, we are in the final strides of the challenge and fundraising is still underway, it is not too late to show your support, visit https://irishinjuredjockeys.enthuse.com/profile

For further information about The Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys and how to sign up for the 2024 challenge, visit https://corinthianchallenge.com/