THE Corinthian Challenge is a charity race series run by Irish Injured Jockeys Fund to raise awareness and much needed funds for the national charity.

This week, the competition heats up as the second race of the series takes place in Gowran Park Racecourse today. With a busy week of last-minute preparations and training behind them and plenty of rainfall since their debut at the Curragh, the challengers are in for what could be their toughest challenge yet.

As part of our ongoing support of Irish Injured Jockeys and their Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series this week we caught up with Neil Durkan to give him the opportunity of a profile piece and to assist with his fundraising efforts.

Neil Durkan is a property developer who builds mainly in the Dublin region, he has been involved in the family business for most of his life.

Neil has travelled within the family business in the early part of his career between US and UK before returning to Ireland in the mid-1990s. Since then he has been developing and building new homes in the greater Dublin area.

The Durkan Family are very well known for supporting the industry through sponsorship at various tracks down through the years and the family has a long establishment with horses for over 40 years both training and owning racehorses.

Neil’s father Bill has held a trainer’s licence for over 40 years and still trains privately. Neil helps out with assistant Gary Bannon and his father with the training business where the main focus is on pre-training of their racehorses. This year the yard sent Screaming Colours to Uttoxeter, taking home the Midlands Grand National.

Neil is no stranger to the racetrack and he held an amateur licence for over 10 years. He rode for the family mainly in point-to-points and he was fortunate enough to ride on the track a few times as an amateur in a couple of hunter chases.

He has also participated in the Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series previously and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Speaking of why he is taking part in the Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series, Neil said: “Quite often you see amateur jockeys getting up on young inexperienced horses and their opportunity is to take that ride in the hope that they are successful and if they are successful they will get the next opportunity, but often those guys pick up injuries and it’s very sad as it can really set them back.

“Now I’m retired from riding and I’m at the other end of the scale as an owner, trainer and a father of three. Irish Injured Jockeys has given me the opportunity to raise awareness and hopefully we will be able to raise funds and support those jockeys who need support at times when they might not have the ability to ride for whatever reason. There can be many reasons to need support.”

Wishing all the challengers the very best ahead of the Gowran leg of the challenge on today, we are certainly looking forward to seeing who comes out on top as the series really heats up. The final race will take place in Leopardstown on October 22nd.

To stay up to date on all things Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series related visit corinthianchallenge.com or follow IIJ and the Corinthian Challenge on social media. If you would like to support Neil or any of the Corinthian Challengers visit justgiving.com/campaign/corinthianchallenge2022.