The New Zealand racing industry will continue to support the recovery of injured jockey Rosie Myers with a benefit raceday at New Plymouth next Thursday.
The popular rider has been in hospital since suffering a head injury in a fall at the Foxton trials on October 6.
“Rosie is a very popular member of the racing community, and all of the industry is keen to support her as she recovers,” Taranaki Racing chief executive Carey Hobbs said.
“Preparations are coming to hand well for the Rosie Myers Benefit Raceday at New Plymouth on December 3.
“Taranaki Racing have been inundated with support for the day and are currently organising a sweepstake for racing clubs, the idea of Waikato Racing Club chief executive Butch Castles. Each club will donate $1,000 and get a number. The number with most points will win a hospitality package for 20 with Taranaki Racing.
“The Egmont Racing Club at Hawera were the first to agree, as Rosie is a Hawera-born lass. They were quickly followed by Waikato, Counties, Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, RACE, Ruakaka Racing, Otaki-Maori and Canterbury, who also donated a second prize – a hospitality package for 10 at the Winter Cup Meeting. And more clubs are expected to join very shortly.
“The New Zealand Trainers’ Association and New Zealand Jockeys’ Association are also supporting the Fundraising Raceday by each donating from every win on the day.
“The TAB are looking at setting up a Givealittle page for the week, and other promotions to support the cause.”
Myers’ husband William Fell has welcomed the initiative.
“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” he said. “It’s a great way to raise a bit of awareness, along with some funds for really good causes. It should be a terrific day.
“We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the way the industry has responded since Rosie’s fall, and this is just another example of that. It’s amazing.”
Fell reported that Myers is making excellent progress in her recovery and may soon be discharged from hospital.
“She’s doing exceptionally well,” he said. “The short-term goal is to get her home from hospital by Christmas, so that’s what we’re working towards at the moment. Even if we can’t quite do that, it shouldn’t be too long afterwards, which is great. She’s been making outstanding progress in the last few weeks.”
Meanwhile, a race at Thursday’s Otaki meeting was named in Myers’ honour, and it had a fitting result. The You’ve Got This Rosie (1400m) was won by Wheels, a first-starter bred and owned by members of the Myers family.
