FORMER amateur rider Raymund Martin, now chairman of the stewards at Down Royal, is taking part in this year’s Paris to Nice cycling challenge. He is being sponsored by the racecourse to the tune of £1,000 as he bids to raise money for the Jockeys Emergency Fund and Injured Jockeys Fund.

Raymund, who partnered the Jim Clements-owned Call Collect to win the 1990 Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase and finish seventh in that year’s Aintree Grand National on the same horse, is only too well aware of the dangers facing riders in the sport.

“I once had a close call during a race when I fell, was trampled on by a horse and my rib punctured my lung. I underwent a life-saving operation, having part of my ribs and lungs removed to survive. I’m very lucky to be here today, getting to do what I love every day.

“But when a jockey is injured, or worse disabled for life, they do not get to do what they love every day. Their whole life changes and this can be devastating and frustrating for someone who was once so active. I understand the severe needs a jockey has when he/she is injured and paralysed which is why I am raising money for the Jockeys Emergency Fund and Injured Jockeys Fund.

“I love cycling. Last year on my 70th birthday I cycled 70 miles of the Giro d’Italia route in Northern Ireland but this cycle from Paris to Nice will be my toughest challenge yet. Please give generously so other jockeys can reach new challenges and experience their dreams when they are my age too.”

To support Raymund in the challenge, which sets out from the French capital on Saturday, September 19th, go to https://www.justgiving.com/raymundcyclesparis2nice or find him on Facebook.

I mentioned in this column a few weeks back that Caroline Dennison is taking part in the Paris to Nice race as well but gave Robert Hall a bit of a fright saying he was cycling when it should have been Philip Mysercough. Caroline and Philip are also seeking sponsorship in aid of the Jockeys Emergency Fund as is another former amateur Martin O’Donnell, chairman of the stewards’ panel at Leopardstown and an owner with Liz Doyle.