Graham Lee IJF Charity Race Returns to Thirsk for 2025 Edition
Thirsk Racecourse is once again set to host one of the most heartfelt events on the British racing calendar—the Graham Lee IJF Charity Race. Scheduled for Friday, July 25, 2025, the race returns for its second edition after a powerful debut last year that united the sport in support of one of its most respected figures.
This special ‘hands and heels’ race features 11 stable staff members taking on a mile-long challenge, each paired with a professional jockey who will lead them to the post. The event is part of the wider Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival and is being held in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund to raise funds for Graham Lee’s long-term care and rehabilitation.
Graham Lee IJF Charity Race 2025: Riders, Trainers, and Horses
Each participating rider has committed to a minimum fundraising target of £500. Here is the full line-up for the 2025 race:
- Leon Joughin – Trainer: Karl Burke | Horse: Liamarty Dreams | Led by: Shane Gray
- Esmae Wilson – Trainer: Roger Fell | Horse: Blackanddeckers | Led by: Luke Morris
- Liam Baxter – Trainer: Sam England | Horse: King Of Cong | Led by: Oisin Orr
- Daniel Perrin – Trainer: Philip Kirby | Horse: Tokyo Bay | Led by: Kevin Stott
- Kelvin Osborne – Trainer: Harriet Bethell | Horse: Ideal Guest | Led by: Joe Fanning
- Olivia Rogers – Trainers: Michael & David Easterby | Horse: Ring Of Gold | Led by: Joanna Mason
- Chloe Dods – Trainer: Michael Dods | Horse: Roaring Ralph | Led by: Paul Mulrennan
- Lucy Scott – Trainer: Tim Easterby | Horse: Evelyn’s Phoenix | Led by: Rowan Scott
- Hayley Clements – Trainer: Micky Hammond | Horse: Arranmore | Led by: Duran Fentiman
- Sophie Smith – Trainer: Gary Rutherford | Horse: On The Bubble | Led by: Harry Davies
- Karen Tutty – Trainer: Gemma Tutty | Horse: Look Back Smiling | Led by: Jack Mitchell
Last year’s event raised £20,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund, which directly benefits Graham Lee, who sustained life-changing injuries in a fall at Newcastle in November 2023.
Honoring a Legend: Graham Lee
Graham Lee, a 49-year-old champion under both codes of racing, etched his name into history with wins in the 2004 Grand National aboard Amberleigh House and the 2015 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot with Trip To Paris. His career and resilience continue to inspire across the racing world.
This year, the race takes on even more emotional weight as Lee is expected to be in attendance, making the moment all the more special for riders, fans, and supporters alike.
A Community Comes Together
Race organizer Adele Mulrennan shared, “This event is a chance for jockeys to show support for stable staff in a refreshing twist of roles. It’s also a fundraising initiative for Graham—and even better, Graham will be in attendance.”
Organizers have praised the enthusiasm of participants and the wider racing community. “Everyone involved has made this more than just a race. It’s a statement of unity and compassion within our sport,” said one member of the planning team.
As the gates open at Thirsk this Friday, the spirit of the Graham Lee IJF Charity Race will echo far beyond the track—reminding everyone that racing’s true strength lies in its people.
