CONGRATULATIONS to Orla McKenna (née Dwyer) on her win last Saturday at Leopardstown in the final race of the Corinthian Challenge race in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys aboard Song Of Namibia for trainer Ger Lyons and owner David Spratt.
Orla McKenna is no stranger to racing, having competed on the pony circuit as a child before spending some time working with the late Dessie Hughes, she is also the sister of Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Mark Dwyer.
Orla McKenna lives in Collon, Co Louth with her husband Donal and two sons Ben (18) and Óisín (16). Orla works as a bloodstock administrator for Tattersalls Ireland, who have been so supportive of her on this endeavour, sponsoring her gear and donating to her campaign, along with Tattersalls UK to whom she is most grateful also. Orla has also been kindly supported by her family, friends and many racing colleagues along the way prior to winning the final race of the series at Leopardstown.
It is not too late to support Orla’s fundraising efforts and to show your appreciation of her hard work, commitment and recent race success as you can still donate online at https://the-corinthian-challenge-charity-race-series-2018.everydayhero.com/ie/orla-mckenna or text JOCKEY to 51777.
The series was won by Graham Atkinson riding Uncle Henry for trainer Joseph O’Brien.
Graham is a landscaper from Upton, Co Cork who has grown up in racing, his brother Don Atkinson recently retired from point-to-point riding following four decades in the saddle, and his cousin Wayne Lordan is one of Ireland’s top flat jockeys.
Graham celebrated with his wife Theresa, children Lucy and Charlie, brother Don, and extended family and friends who made the trip from Cork to support him.
He said: “I am thrilled to have won the 2018 Corinthian Challenge. It’s hard to explain just how special it is – I’m over the moon. It’s been a privilege to ride amongst some of the best people I’ve ever met these last few months, everyone has put in a lot of time and effort getting race fit and raising awareness and funds for Irish Injured Jockeys. It’s been a personal journey for us all one way or another.
“I would like to sincerely thank Joseph O’Brien and his wonderful owners and staff who have provided me with a horse for each race. I am so grateful to the team at Irish Injured Jockeys for their support along the way too.
“I would like to thank my wife Theresa, children Lucy and Charlie, and all my family for their patience and support.
“For all of those kind people who have supported my fundraising efforts along the way, thank you so much and I hope you got a kick out of backing a winner and doing your bit for IIJ too.
“If anyone hasn’t got around to donating yet, it’s not too late. Please visit www.corinthianchallenge.com where you can still donate to my fundraising page online.”
No less than five participants went into the race on Saturday at Leopardstown in contention for the overall title, and these were: Marina Hamilton on 14 points, Graham Atkinson on 13 points, Harry Shearman on 10 points, and Orla McKenna and Rachael O’Callaghan on 5 points each, which made it a very exciting final race of the series for all involved.
Graham, who finished a close second to Orla on the day, had won and been placed previously which ensured he had accumulated enough point to be deemed the 2018 Champion of the Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series.
The Charity Race Series is an extremely successful fundraising initiative and is now firmly established as an annual event for the racing charity.
Thus far, the series has raised over €300,000 for Irish Injured Jockeys, with this year’s participants raising a massive €100,000 already, with efforts still ongoing.