Jockey Celebration Day
1 September, 2016
Every year the National Jockeys Trust Fund, based in Melbourne, hold a weekend of fundraising nation-wide throughout every race meeting held in Australia on the day for Jockeys that have been injured and the families of those who require support from jockeys who have passed.
This year it was on August 6, and in WA we celebrated at Belmont Park with the annual National Jockeys Celebration Day Race Day function, along with the function there was a minute silence for fallen jockeys, and a guard of honour before the race that was named National Jockey Celebration Handicap.
Leading up to the National Jockeys celebration day Western Australian Jockeys Association and Racing and Wagering WA facilitated a raffle and began fundraising.
The raffle featured signed sports memorabilia from Michelle Payne, West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers, along with Millinery from Reny Kestel a dinner voucher from Perth Racing and NJTF merchandise and gift bags.
Community TAB agreed to match up to $5000 for any fundraising that was collected through activities, such as raffles with all funds raised and matched to go to the National Jockeys Trust.
From that online auction alone $2000 was raised with a further $1000 being raised at the race day function through raffles and merchandise sales.
Community TAB matched the $3000 for the National Jockeys Trust Fund.
Photo: Craig Staples WA Jockey Association and Matthew Thomas Community TAB, courtesy of Western Racepix.