Callum Lavery
A NORTHSIDE jockey is hoping to stir-up the competition as he raises money for kidney research.
Santry local Frank Brady is competing in this year’s Punchestown Kidney Research Fund charity horse race on May 4.
Around 25 riders will be taking part and each of them must first raise €1,500 in order to enter. Proceeds of this year’s race will go towards new dialysis machines for Temple Street Children's Hospital.
Mr Brady has been involved in the event for the past 15 years, riding in nine races. The Lorcan Crescent man said he’s more than happy to get involved despite luckily never having a family member affected by kidney problems.
“It’s such a great cause, the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund and it’s a fabulous day out,” he told Northside People.
“They get 30,000 people there on the day and I think kids are free. There’s 25 riders and it’s just a fantastic buzz but the bottom line is that it is for charity.”
Mr Brady, a Dublin bus driver for the past 12 years has been riding horses since he was 15 but unfortunately reckons the event on May 4 will probably be his last competition.
“I ride out for champion hurdle winning trainer Gavin Cromwell and will be riding for him in the race,” he said.
“I started with Jim Bolger in Carlow at 15 and was a work rider with Jenny Pitman in Lambourn for six years leading up a Grand National winner and a Gold Cup runner up in the ‘90s. As I'm 49 it will probably be my last race.”
Mr Brady joked that he needs to give younger riders a chance to enter the charity event.
“It’s hard to get into,” he added.
“Every year there are a couple of hundred jockeys trying to enter and only 25 get in; it’s time to give someone else a turn.”
The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund Charity Horse Race was founded by James Nolan in 1990 and is traditionally the last race of the festival. The race is a one mile and seven furlongs flat race run over the Punchestown Championship Racetrack.
Nolan who had progressive renal failure from birth began the event after receiving a transplant from his sister Catherine in April, 1987.
Following a full recovery Nolan decided he wanted to give back and established the race with the support of Punchestown Race Course and The Turf Club.