Horse racing news: Champion-elect Oisin Murphy to split £50,000 between MNDA, Racing Welfare
Oisin Murphy will donate £25,000 to each of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and Racing Welfare should he keep his place at the top of the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship, which concludes on British Champions Day at Ascot this Saturday.
The four-time champion jockey holds a considerable 54.55-point lead over Kieran Shoemark, meaning Shoemark would have to ride a winner at World Pool odds of 54.60 and Murphy draw a blank in order for the Irishman to be passed.
Back in third is the now Hong Kong–based Richard Kingscote, while David Egan is 67.80 points adrift in fourth. Ryan Moore, currently sidelined through injury, sits fifth.
Cusp of glory
Speaking ahead of British Champions Day about the possibility of winning the £50,000 World Pool Jockeys’ Championship, Murphy said: “I can’t thank World Pool enough.
“It’s an amazing initiative, and I’ve been so pleased to see myself climbing to the top of the leaderboard and then stay there over the last few months.
“It’s a huge amount of money, and I’d like to split it between two charities.
“Firstly, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, which touches me because a very close family friend of ours is suffering with it at the moment, and Racing Welfare, who do so much for our industry.
“This has been a particularly sad week for all at Racing Welfare and in our industry as we were shocked to hear of the death of Nicki Strong, who headed Racing Welfare’s communications and marketing, and all our thoughts are with her colleagues, friends, and family at this very difficult time.”
Although Murphy holds a commanding lead, he’s aware that the championship is not won yet: “I haven’t ridden a winner on British Champions Day since 2018.
“It feels like a lifetime ago since Roaring Lion won the QEII in front of Her late Majesty The Queen!
“I’ve got some nice chances on the day, like Flora of Bermuda, Never So Brave, and Almeric, so fingers crossed.”
You can watch the entire interview with Oisin Murphy here.
Making a difference
Robert Pearce, head of high value partnerships at MNDA, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Oisin Murphy for choosing to support the Motor Neurone Disease Association and to World Pool for putting up this generous prize.
“Every day in the UK, six people will be diagnosed with MND and hear there is no cure.
“Oisin’s donation will help us fund vital research, campaign for change, and improve care and support for people affected by this brutal disease.
“The only way we will beat this disease is by working together and it is inspiring to have the racing community stand with us.”
Dawn Goodfellow, chief executive of Racing Welfare, said: “Racing Welfare is wholly reliant on donations to fund the vital services that support everyone working across the racing industry.
“At a time when our work has never been more important, we are deeply grateful to both World Pool for their generosity and Oisin for his thoughtfulness in choosing to support Racing Welfare.
“This £25,000 donation will make a real difference to the people at the heart of our sport.”
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Jockeys’ Championship culminates
With points earned by winning jockeys based on their World Pool Win odds, the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship can be volatile.
This was certainly the case in its inaugural year – 2024 – when Billy Loughnane bagged 129.90 points for his win aboard Rashabar in the Coventry Stakes.
Loughnane was then never headed and donated his £50,000 to the Christy Lambe Foundation.
Moreover, all races on Ascot’s card, excluding this year’s new two-year-old conditions stakes, will be globally commingled as part of World Pool, with points towards the Jockeys’ Championship up for grabs in each contest.
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