10 riders have been chosen from a wide range of applicants.
Please do support them if you are able to do so.
I have worked for Roger Fell and Sean Murray at Arthington Barn Stables since March 2022 so just over 2 years and am loving every minute of it. My goal has been to progress enough to ride in a charity race with the view of getting my apprentice licence out. I am training hard and can’t wait for this opportunity that I have been given and to raise money for Graham Lee alongside this.
Grace has been employed by Paul Midgley for more than five years, and she is a regular rider with the necessary skill and expertise. Though Grace has been around horses since she was ten years old, it was her visit to the races that ignited her passion for the profession. She knew then that she would love to ride in a race. According to Grace the charity race is “a perfect race because all the money is raised for a good cause”.
I’m excited to ride in this race, for such a special person. It’s an excellent way to get a chance to ride at the racecourse, which is an unbelievable opportunity, but to also show support for Graham and his family and the Injured Jockeys Fund! I have ridden for Brian Ellison for around 5 years and have been in the industry for even longer. Ben Robinson will be leading me up, if he’s riding at the meeting, which is a fun change from being the other way round.
Hi I’m Ellie I’m 21 and work for Micky Hammond, I’ve worked in racing since I was 16 and worked for Micky for nearly 4 years. My favourite part about working in the racing industry would have to be going to the races, it’s a massive buzz when the horse you look after does well and I enjoy putting in the effort and winning best turned out. I am delighted to have the opportunity to ride in the charity race and for such a great cause.
Hi, my name is John Greeves, and I am 34 years old. I come from a small town called Ilkeston which is in between Nottingham and Derby. I first started working with racehorses when I was 13, influenced by my father who already worked in racing. Over the years, I have worked in many stable yards. I first worked for Mr John Quinn back in 2006 and after 16 years out, I returned and haven’t looked back since. I am grateful for the opportunity to raise money for Graham Lee and represent the Quinn yard.
My involvement in horses has been lifelong with my main focus being Eventing. I have represented Team GB at International level and have completed numerous 5 star competitions. Racing also runs in my blood with many family members point-to-pointing over the years. I started working part time for John and Fiona Wainwright in preparation for the Macmillan Cancer Support Ride of Their Lives at York earlier this year and I am now absolutely hooked! My family are also huge supporters of The Injured Jockeys Fund so supporting Graham Lee and his family is a cause very close to our hearts.
Hi, my name is Afrika, and I am 18 years old. I have worked for Julie Camacho for the past 2 years and I have decided it would be a great opportunity to ride in the charity race for Graham Lee. Graham was a massive part in the yard when I was starting out, I even got to ride work with him up the gallop. It means a lot to be raising money for the Injured Jockeys Fund so that I can help support jockeys like Graham in their recovery.
When I was young, I used to go around and help my nan at weekends with her shopping and we used to watch the racing together. That’s when I knew what I wanted to do. I contacted the BRS, and they put me on a 9 week course to learn to ride. The dream to become a pro jockey ended when I had a fall in a point-to-point race. I sustained a fracture in my neck. Six years later I started racing again. When I heard about this race I really wanted to participate. I know Graham Lee and have the pleasure of riding out with him. He was also really helpful when I rode in a race last year with me not knowing the track and asking for his advice.
Hi, I’m Aleesha and I’m 19 years old. I have been working for Mick and David Easterby’s as a working rider for a year now and this is my first job in the racing industry. I have already learnt so much and I am excited to be representing them in the Graham Lee Fund Stable Staff Stakes Charity Race all whilst raising money for such an important cause.
I have worked in the thoroughbred industry for nearly forty years - working in New Zealand, Australia and Japan before returning to the UK where I rode out for Mark Johnston for 16 years whilst my children grew up. For the last 11 years I have worked full time for Karl Burke, riding and in the office and it’s been great to see Karl’s ever-growing success. I am so grateful to Karl and to Tele Red’s owners for making it possible for me to take part in the race. So exciting! My heart goes out to Graham Lee and his family, and I am very happy to help raise this money for them. I wish them all the very best for the future.
