Attractions of Yorkshire tempt Krone to join the ‘Leger Legends’

Krone joins 15 other former stars of the saddle who have won 20,000 races between them in the one-mile race on Town Moor.

The now-retired Krone won over 3,700 races and is a member of the American Hall of Fame.

She will be joined by 2004 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning rider Thierry Gillet in an international affair.

The 16 stars also include Gay Kelleway, the first woman to ride a winner at Royal Ascot, and 2000 champion jockey Kevin Darley, plus jumps racing heroes Norman Williamson and Charlie Swan, who won the inaugural ‘Leger Legends’ race 12 months ago.

At 64, George Duffield is the most senior rider, and former Derby-winning jockey Ray Cochrane will be having his first ride since the 2000 plane crash which ended his career.

The ‘Leger Legends’ is staged in aid of two charities – the Injured Jockeys’ Fund’s ‘House That Jack Built’ initiative, and the Northern Racing College student accommodation project.

Dale Gibson rode in the event last season and is thrilled Krone will be in action after turning down the offer of TV work in the States.

He said: “Julie Krone, who we have done fantastically well to get over from America, turned down Survivor, which is the equivalent of I’m A Celebrity, because she had already committed to coming over here.

“She’ll be here for a week and is really keen on seeing Yorkshire itself – she’ll be going to Scarborough, York and the North Yorkshire moors.

“Julie retired in 2003 but she has been riding work and is in good shape.”

Other riders involved include At The Races presenter Luke Harvey, fellow former jump jockey Jamie Osborne, retired Flat jockey and journalist Tom O’Ryan and Graham Bradley.

Kieren Fallon kept up his title charge with a last-gasp victory aboard National Hope in the opening Best Offers At JustBookies.com Handicap at Folkestone.

Fallon began the day on 102 winners, 13 behind leader and defending champion Yorkshire-based Paul Hanagan, but wasted little time in narrowing that gap.

The six-times title winner demonstrated his easily recognisable style as he hit the drive position a furlong out on 4-1 chance National Hope.

Hayley Turner faces an uncertain spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken ankle in a fall at Bath yesterday – it was initially thought she had escaped serious injury following the incident.

She was unseated on the way to the start of the Grange 3Yr Free Servicing September grange.co.uk Handicap. Her boss Michael Bell, speaking from Doncaster sales, said: “She will have an operation tomorrow, which is a real shame as the season was going so well for her.”