IRISH Injured Jockeys [IIJ] has landed a £50,000 windfall - and that figure could easily double - thanks to Betfair and its ambassador Rachael Blackmore.

The betting company has stumped up £100,000 to be divided between IIJ and the British-based Injured Jockeys Fund, and a further £5,000 will be added to the pot every time Blackmore rides a winner between today and Grand National day. The leading rider has, on average, ridden 30 winners during that period over the past five years, meaning the final donation could exceed £250,000, to be divided between the two charities.

Dubbed ‘Rachael Blackmore’s Serial Winners Fund’, the initiative is being launched to coincide with Betfair Chase day at Haydock and it also marks the release of a video entitled ‘Rachael Blackmore - Serial Winner’.

Blackmore commented: “This is a very generous initiative from Betfair and one that I am excited to be a part of over the coming season. The work of IIJ and IJF is vital in providing support services for jockeys past and present. It’s great to have Betfair supporting not only me, but two organisations that are so important to us as jockeys.

Michael Higgins, general manager of Irish Injured Jockeys, said: ‘’We are very grateful to Betfair for this generous initiative and are delighted to be joint beneficiaries with our friends in the IJF. Rachael is a committed supporter of IIJ and a fantastic role model for our sport and hope her current run of success continues. We have major plans in 2024 and a project which will involve significant investment on our part which will transform facilities and services available to our riders. This, along with our existing support programmes, will benefit hugely from the fund.”