Woodford Halse jockey Lucy passes make-or-break fitness trial ahead of prestigious charity race

A Northamptonshire jockey who has by no means competed professionally will tear round an iconic racetrack subsequent month as a part of a charity raceday that’s over half a century outdated.

Lucy Horan, 26, was declared match to take part in a prestigious charity horse race after passing a gruelling day of health trials up north this week.

The bloodstock insurance coverage dealer from Woodford Halse is amongst ten beginner riders who had been put by way of their paces in York as specialists assessed whether or not they could be secure to trip within the Macmillan ‘Ride of Their Lives’ charity race on Saturday, June 11.

The Macmillan ‘Ride of Their Lives’ takes place at York Racecourse and is taken into account essentially the most profitable charity horse race within the UK, having raised greater than £1.2 million for folks dwelling with most cancers within the 10 years because it started.

This yr’s cohort of riders endured months of jockey coaching, using out in all weathers and studying find out how to deal with racehorses earlier than they confronted a remaining health problem to find out whether or not they had been match to race thoroughbred racehorses.

Their evaluation occurred at jockey rehabilitation and health centre Jack Berry House, in Malton, the place health checks included push ups, squats, muscle endurance, inclined holds and quad bike workouts.

10 riders efficiently handed the take a look at and can compete earlier than a crowd of round 25,000 folks once they race within the remaining fixture of York Racecourse’s 51st annual Macmillan Charity Raceday.

Lucy felt her health take a look at went higher than anticipated and is wanting ahead to fulfilling a lifelong ambition of competing in a race.

She stated: “I’ve been using horses my complete life however have by no means ridden in a race earlier than, so I’ll be dwelling out a lifelong ambition when raceday comes.

“The ‘Ride of Their Lives’ problem has been arduous as a result of it’s not simple to slot in fundraising and coaching with a busy job. This side of it has been a lot more durable than I anticipated and though the fundraising hasn’t been simple, there’s been a lot goodwill for Macmillan and folks have been extremely beneficiant.

“It’s been nice to satisfy the opposite beginner jockeys, who come from everywhere in the nation, from many various walks of life and with various motivations for elevating cash for Macmillan.

“I’m tremendous excited. I do know the lead-up and the day itself will whizz by, however I’m decided to take time to cease and breathe all of it in.”

The group of riders have in six months collectively raised over £55,000 and counting for Macmillan Cancer Support, having dedicated to lift at the very least £4,000 every for the charity.

Macmillan Fundraising Manager Megan Hayman Tansley added: “Since their choice for the Macmillan ‘Ride of Their Lives’ race final yr, the dedication of our beginner riders has been plain to see.

“Not solely have they thrown themselves into coaching and growing as jockeys, however they’ve dedicated to elevating very important funds for Macmillan and we couldn’t be extra grateful.

“Covid-19 restrictions could have pale into the previous, however the stress of dwelling with most cancers has not. Many folks nonetheless really feel anxious about catching the virus with a weakened immune system, whereas the rising price of dwelling means extra individuals are struggling to cowl the extra prices of most cancers.”