THERE was a fantastic turnout on Monday night in La Bucca restaurant in Ratoath, Co Meath for a fundraising evening in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys.

La Bucca has been a racing sponsor for almost 20 years and has a strong affiliation with Fairyhouse Racecourse.

Since the Irish Horseracing Gallery launch in the restaurant last year, more pictures and memorabilia have been added to the walls. A montage of this year’s Irish Grand National winner, Soldier In Milan and his connections, was unveiled on the night.

Present on the night were IIJ chief executive Michael Higgins and board member Barry Geraghty, along with other racing personalities.

A total of €4,260 was raised for the charity by means of a raffle, auction and donations, including a €700 bid for the Soldier In Milan montage made by the horse’s owner Paul Byrne.

Higgins said: “We achieved three goals tonight, we raised money for the charity, we increased the awareness of our work and everyone had a great evening.”

Russell Bailey, owner of La Bucca, added: “The long-term plan in La Bucca is to add a montage of each year’s winning horse and over time build up an historical library of the Irish National winners, while adding any other pictures of interest along the way and strengthening our link to all things equestrian, given the business’s proximity to both Fairyhouse and Tattersalls.”