RETIRED jockeys of all ages and current jockeys considering retirement are being urged to check if they are entitled to claim benefits from the Irish Jockeys Pension Trust [IJPT].

The IJPT pays a fixed sum of €100 per week to ‘career jockeys’ who meet certain criteria. Spouses or civil partners of eligible jockeys who have died are entitled to 50% of the pension.

Solicitor Darren Murtagh, whose firm administers the scheme in conjunction with the Turf Club and Irish Jockeys Association, said: “This is the first time we have publicly sought potential beneficiaries. All jockeys who rode from the mid-1990s onwards should be on our system, but some jockeys who rode in earlier decades could be missing out.”

The pension is funded by a deduction from jockeys’ prize money and there are currently 100 claimants. “It doesn’t matter if you rode one winner or 500 winners,” Murtagh said. “Everyone receives the same pension as long as they meet the criteria.”

To be eligible for the pension claimants must have held a flat jockeys’ licence for at least eight years or a jump jockeys’ licence for five seasons. They also must have had a certain number of rides per year.

Further information is available from Darren Murtagh of Doyle Murtagh & Co, Suite 104, 4-5 Burton Hall Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18.