A Kilkenny jockey was one of a group of trainee jockeys from the Racing Academy & Centre of Education in Kildare, who recently took part in a charity race at the Curragh to raise funds as part of Gaisce - The President's Award.
The Irish Horse Welfare Trust is working around the clock with the rescue and re-homing of an increased number of distressed horses and ponies, including 41 recently rescued from a farm in Kilkenny.
Champion jockey Johnny Murtagh participated in the race and Nathalie Flynn from Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny, finished a fine second in the event. Marc Monahan from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, was first past the post, while Jonathan Moore from Wexford was third.
All jockeys rode ex-racehorses which are enjoying a second career after retiring from racing.
After the race Claire Goodwillie from Kilkenny representing the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, was presented with a donation for €1,000.,
“It is wonderful to see this support and level of acknowledgement of the IHWT's work,” said Sharon Newsome, manager and co founder of the charity which operates a retraining programme for ex-racehorses, to enable them to go on to a new career and live out a happy useful life.
