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Last Friday at The Curragh Racecourse, thirteen courageous riders participated in The Corinthian Challenge Charity Race, benefiting Irish Injured Jockeys (IIJ). The exhilarating amateur charity race was won by Mohammed Al Attiyah, who rode for trainer Joseph O’Brien and represented owners Sean Sweeney and Kieran O’Hare.

Mohammed positioned himself in second place during the initial stages, while Chloe Kirwan set the pace on the Gordon Elliott horse, Chortal. As Chortal faced pressure with two furlongs to go, Al Attiyah surged ahead to take the lead on his seven-year-old mount.

Solar Breeze, ridden by Alisha McCormack for trainer Daniel McLoughlin, made a strong late push to finish a close second, while Clive Ryan secured third place on Relevant Range.

Following the race, the victorious Mohammed exclaimed, “This is incredible! I loved every moment! I followed Joseph’s instructions to the letter, and they were spot on. My horse performed spectacularly, and I am immensely grateful to Joseph and the owners. It has been amazing to ride at The Curragh Racecourse during the  Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby weekend.”

Michael Higgins, General Manager of Irish Injured Jockeys, remarked, “What an exhilarating race it has been! The riders put in great effort to raise awareness and funds for Irish Injured Jockeys, and we’ve had an incredible amount of fun throughout this journey!”

The Corinthian Challenge is a cherished annual charity race organised by the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund, aiming to raise awareness and vital funds for the national charity. Participants are volunteers who apply to take part, gaining firsthand experience of a jockey’s life, from training and fitness to race preparation, culminating in riding on the track at The Curragh, which for the first time coincided with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival.

In the lead-up to the race, challengers are also tasked with raising awareness and essential funds for Irish Injured Jockeys. The Corinthian Challenge Charity Race has proven to be a highly successful fundraising initiative for the organisation. There is still time to donate and support their fundraising efforts online. If you’re interested in participating in the 2026 Corinthian Challenge for Irish Injured Jockeys, visit www.corinthianchallenge.com.

From everyone at Irish Injured Jockeys, congratulations to all participants! Your dedication has been truly remarkable; you are all winners.

Photo – Nadina Ironia