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 Innes spoke about the work of the National Jockeys Trust and ARCC chaplain Rev Colin Watts lead in a prayer for safety during the upcoming season. The proceedings culminated in a minute silence in honour of those jockeys who have lost their lives in riding accidents.
Jockey Celebration Day is an annual national event, and similar ceremonies were conducted at every racecourse in Australia which had a meeting on the first Saturday in August. It is coordinated nationally by ARCC on behalf of the Australian Jockeys Association and the National Jockeys Trust.
The jockeys’ reunion was arranged by the NSW Jockeys Association and a great time was had by all. Many thanks to NSWJA CEO Tony Crisafi, who is the driving force behind the reunion celebrations.
(Photo courtesy of Steve Hart Photograpy)
