National Jockey Celebration Day will again be held nationally this year on Saturday 2nd August as race meetings around Australia pause to observe a minute silence in honour of jockeys who have died in races and to pray for safety as the new season begins.
Jockey Celebration Day, held on the first Saturday in August each year is an initiative of the National Jockeys Trust & the Australian Jockeys Association to:
- Recognise the contribution that both former and current jockeys have made to the thoroughbred racing industry; and
- Commemorate those jockeys who have lost their lives in riding accidents.
- Raise awareness and support of the National Jockeys Trust
Over 890 jockeys have lost their lives in race falls in Australia and many more have suffered serious injury. As we begin a new season, it is appropriate that we pray for safety and remember the fallen.
Since 2004, the National Jockeys Trust has provided over $5 million in assistance to more than 390 jockeys and the families of jockeys that have been lost.
On behalf of the NJT and AJA, ARCC coordinates remembrance ceremonies at every racecourse across Australia which conducts a race meeting on this day.
This year, ceremonies will be held at the following racecourses:
SA: Murray Bridge, Roxby Downs
WA: Belmont Park, Broome
NSW: Rosehill, Kembla Grange, Scone, Forbes, Tuncurry, Wagga Wagga, Cobar
QLD: Eagle Farm, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Roma, Tambo, Yeppoon, Townsville, Corfield
NT: Alice Springs, Darwin
TAS: Launceston
ACT: Canberra
VIC: Flemington , Hamilton
Many thanks to the race club staff and to those giving their time to conduct these ceremonies.
