THE 13 riders who signed up for the 2024 Corinthian Challenge charity race brought plenty of supporters with them to the Curragh last Sunday.

Staged in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys, the 12-furlong race - run over the Irish Derby course - was won by Megan O’Leary on Ndaawi, trained by Gordon Elliott. Ndaawi started favourite but anything can happen in these ‘mad hatter’ races. However, Megan looked very stylish in the saddle and did everything right, which was just as well as some of her ‘connections’ are not shy on giving feedback!

Megan is a recent graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start programme and an increasingly familiar face on the bloodstock sales circuit. “This is the most amazing thing I have ever done,” she said after the race. “It was brilliant, an absolute thrill and a huge tick off the bucket list!”

She thanked Gordon Elliott, her sponsors Blandford Bloodstock, Ndaawi’s owners Easyfix, and the team in the yard for their support.

Special mention must go to runner-up Bridget Speirs. Mother of event rider Camilla Speirs, Bridget has a lifetime’s experience in all aspects of the horse business, including polo, point-to-points, hunting and even holding a trainer’s licence at one time. Bridget had previously taken part in a charity race in 1996 and last Sunday she got a great spin from Jessica Harrington’s Jungle Cove.

In third place came Niamh Byrne, marketing manager at Naas Racecourse. Niamh rode Endless Pursuit, trained by Jessica Harrington for whom Niamh has ridden since she was 14.

Others who took part and raised funds for the IIJ were Diane Scannell, Joanne Quirke, Ryan Sands, Brian Mulvey, Alannah O’Donoghue, Heather MacKenzie, Suzy Quirke, Stephanie Carter, Jenny Fitzsimons and Conor O’Hara.

Ruby Walsh, IIJ chairman, commended the participants for their dedication and for the support they showed each other.

First run in 2016, the Corinthian Challenge has so far raised over €500,000 for IIJ. Donations can still be made to each rider’s fund online.

Web: corinthianchallenge.com

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