The equuip Jockey Connect Programme was launched on May 29th, 2022, to help nurture the talented pool of young jockeys that are still in the early stages of their careers. 

The Jockey Connect programme is divided into two segments, the first segment is to tie in with the already successful John Thomas McNamara series, The Adare Manor Opportunity Series, The Red Mills Lady Riders National Hunt series and the Apprentice series. The Jockey Connect programme aims to provide coaching and advice for riders in the aforementioned series races by initiating a course walk, with riders, that are competing in the selected races. The riders that partake in the course walks accumulate an additional point on the series table. 

The second segment of the jockey connect programme has been put in place to alleviate unnecessary nerves and anxiety for jockeys having their first ride at a racecourse. Equuip will connect  the budding jockey with a senior rider from our pool of designated Jockey Connect Senior Riders. The senior Jockey will provide advice to the young rider, whilst also explaining the weighing in/out procedures and etiquette, they will lead introductions to the valets and race day officials, along with a course walk.

Equuip will be the point of contact between the young riders and the senior jockeys, also making the initial phone call when someone is having their first ride. Riders in the designated series races will be contacted once declarations close with information about the course walk.

If you are interested in joining the Jockey Connect programme, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of the equuip team at equuip@hri.ie