News

A new collaboration ‘Under Jockeys’ Orders,’ between Newbury Racecourse, the Professional Jockeys Association and Great British Racing, aims to celebrate leading British jump jockeys on Saturday 30th November with Coral Gold Cup Day at Newbury Racecourse to become the most jockey-centric National Hunt meeting ever hosted.

Jockeys riding in every race on the seven-race card featuring the prestigious Coral Gold Cup will be wearing their surnames on the back of their breeches to make them easily identifiable. With jockeys riding in multiple races throughout the day in different silks, these posterior surname stickers will make jockeys easy for racegoers to follow.

For those in attendance on the day, there will be an autograph signing session. The signing sessions will take place outside the weighing room steps before racing begins.

In the build-up to the meeting, former winning riders of the Coral Gold Cup will take to the mic in a commentary challenge and call home their own race, ably assisted by leading broadcaster Richard Hoiles.  Children from local schools will take the lead and interview some of the sport’s leading names in a question-and-answer session and there will be jockey imagery on the big screens as well as additional information on jockeys in the racecard and “My Favourite Jockey” stickers for attendees to engage with and bring them closer to the human athletes of the sport.

Shaun Hinds, Chief Executive of Newbury Racecourse, commented: “Following the success of this initiative at York Racecourse on Coolmore Nunthorpe Day in August, we are very excited to bring ‘Under Jockeys’ Orders’ to our flagship National Hunt meeting on Coral Gold Cup Day. Jockeys are the human athletes of our wonderful sport, and I am delighted that Newbury can help to further promote engagement with the participants and raise their profiles. We hope that we can further connect our racegoers, both in attendance and joining us from afar, with the jockeys and give an insight into the hard work, dedication and skill required to perform at the highest level in the sport.”

Dale Gibson, Professional Jockeys Association Racing Director said. ”We’re delighted to be partnering Newbury with ‘Under Jockeys’ Orders’, a PJA initiative to bring racing fans closer to the sport and our heroes in the saddle. Racegoers will get the chance to meet the leading jump jockeys as part of an amazing day of racing and other activities at Newbury on 30th November.”

Harry Cobden, reigning National Hunt Champion Jockey said: “I am looking forward to being involved in the event and believe that all jockeys have a part to play in promoting ourselves to a wider audience, both at the races and across all media platforms. Access to jockeys is important and must be encouraged in future.”