RACEHORSES have always been a part of Denise Callanan’s life, ever since the daughter of Gerard and Bernadette grew up on her family’s stud farm Nanallac Stud in Monasterevin, Co Kildare.

Denise is delighted to be taking part in the Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys. A graduate of Kildalton College in Waterford, where she studied stud management, Denise is now studying acupuncture in Dublin with just one year to go to be fully qualified.

Denise also consigns foals for owners, pinhooks yearlings and is a regular face at all the sales and breeze-ups around Ireland and Britain. The consignment aspect of her work is a growing business and she enjoyed a great start last year which has enabled her to increase her foal capacity by 200% this year.

Denise said: “Two years ago I started riding out in Jarlath Fahey’s yard so I could take on a challenge like this and now I’ve got the chance and I am really excited.

“It’s for a great cause and I am delighted to help the Irish Injured Jockeys fund. We have bred a lot of homebred horses and have a few in training for the year, so it would be extra special if I could be placed or win a race on one of our own.”

Since before this series started Denise has been working with jockey coach ‘Flash’, aka Gordon Power, and was keen to highlight that without his support, training and encouragement she never would have had the confidence to take part. “Flash has been really great and anyone considering taking part in the challenge should engage in private jockey coaching.”

Denise held a fundraiser at Newbridge Greyhound Stadium and she would like to thank everyone who came along and supported her; it was a great night and has been a super help to her fundraising efforts.

Like all of the challengers taking part in the 2018 Charity Race Series, Denise is aiming to raise €10,000 for Irish Injured Jockeys and you can donate online by visiting https://the-corinthian-challenge-charity-race-series-2018.everydayhero.com/ie/denise-callanan

You can also stay up to date on all the Corinthian Challenge news and updates by following Irish Injured Jockeys at @CorinthianChall on Twitter and @CorinthianChallenge on Facebook.