Betfair boosts paralysed jockey’s £20k target

A substantial donation from Betfair means paralysed jockey Sarah Gaisford, who broke her back in a race riding fall at Exeter in 2007, looks set to smash the £20,000 target she set herself to raise for the Injured Jockeys’ Fund at the racecourse this Thursday.

Sarah will ride a circuit of the racecourse where she had her tragic accident, and racegoers are being given free entry if they donate £15 to the IJF and take part in a two mile sponsored walk around the service track while Sarah rides on the course.

Betfair sponsored the race when she had her life-changing fall eight years ago and made the donation when they heard she was taking part in the ride.

Betfair Spokesman Barry Orr commented:  ''This is a magnificent initiative from a truly inspiring person.''

''Our annual donation of £50,000 to the IJF and Oaksey House is just a fraction of what is required to support the people who have given so much to the sport of horseracing so it's important that people get behind this fundraiser. Hopefully our contribution of £2,500 will help Sarah reach her target of £20k.''

General manager Tim Darby added: “We need everyone to get behind this and support Sarah. What she is doing is so brave and deserves the utmost respect, especially given she is coming back to Exeter to ride at the racecourse which changed her life.”

Sarah began fund raising earlier this year and with the support of Liberty Trials, which provides luxury holidays on Dartmoor, she rode ten miles across Dartmoor in September.

Two of her staunchest supporters have been John Francome MBE and Richard Pitman who will walk at her side next Thursday. Also joining Sarah are a number of trainers and jockeys including Philip Hobbs and Nick Scholfield.

Sarah was riding Festival Flyer in a handicap hurdle race when they came crashing down. Her back was broken when a horse galloped over her leaving her without the use of her legs. She had ridden 22 point-to-point winners and 14 under Rules.

To reserve your place on Sarah’s Walk for the IJF visit http://libertytrails.co.uk/sponsored-walk-for-injured-jockey-fund/ or email Elaine@libertytrails.co.uk.

The walk starts at 12.15pm and walkers must be capable of completing two miles within an hour and a quarter.

Following the walk Sarah will present her cheque to John Francome, patron of the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.