News

“God has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)

The Canberra Racing Club once again conducted the Riharna Thomson Memorial on its iconic Black Opal Raceday. This year’s winner was Jess Taylor riding Miss Ghent for local trainer Norm Gardner. Interestingly, Jess is the first female jockey to win the Riharna Thomson Memorial Bracelet trophy, though she said “I could never take the bracelet…

A group of around 50 of Marina Morel’s friends and colleagues gathered at Gulgong Racecourse on Sunday 12th February to mark the first anniversary of her death following a tragic riding accident during trackwork at Gulgong a year earlier. ARCC chaplain Rev Colin Watts conducted the ceremony while Marina’s close friend Rhenelle Perry and trainer…

Leah Kilner suffered a serious fall in a horse race at Grafton Racecourse on July 3, 2022. She sustained significant injuries including a brain injury which has severely impacted her vision. Thankfully, Leah is making substantial progress but she has a long way to go on her path to recovery. With Leah’s permission, ARCC is…

Jockeys past and present gathered at Royal Randwick on Saturday 6 August as part of Jockey Celebration Day 2022. Before the running of Race 7, more than 50 former jockeys formed a guard of honour for the current jockeys who then reciprocated by forming a guard of honour for their forebears.  After this, NJT CEO Paul…

The last two days have seen two apprentice jockeys seriously injured in separate race falls. Leah Kilner had a fall at a race meeting a Grafton yesterday, and Elissa Meredith had a fall at Gunnedah races today.  Both suffered head injuries and were airlifted to hospital. Our prayers are with Leah & Elissa and their families….

ARCC chaplains Brendon and Fran Hotschilt run a Christian campsite called Camp Drewe in Lennox Head. In the midst of the flood emergency, they offered the use of their campsite to accommodate those made homeless by the disaster. Originally, it was envisaged to be only a few days, but the days have turned into weeks. Now, with…

The tragic death of Marina Morel in a recent trackwork accident once again highlights the danger riders face every time they mount a horse.  Marina, a 30-year-old French national, had been riding trackwork in Australia for the past 8 years.  About 6 months ago, she fulfilled her dream of becoming a jockey and rode in…

ARCC will be hosting a BBQ for strappers at the ATC’s ‘Trackwork With The Stars Breakfast’ at Royal Randwick on Tuesday 29 March. In the busy grind of morning trackwork, especially in the pressurised carnival atmosphere, a free sausage and a warm smile is always welcome! Thanks to the ATC for their assistance, and the intrepid…

Apprentice jockey, Marina Morel, aged 30, died as the result of injuries sustained after a tragic fall during trackwork at Gulgong on Tuesday (February 8 2022).   She was airlifted to Westmead Hospital following the incident, where she remained in intensive care up until her passing on Saturday, February 12th. A memorial service in her honour will…