£3.5m injured jockeys centre fund off to a galloping start

Racing luminaries and wellwishers, including the 18-times champion, have helped to fund some of the 50,000 inscribed bricks that will be used to build the £3.5m rehabilitation and respite centre in Old Malton Road.

Mr Berry, the legendary trainer who is the driving force behind the new centre, said: “We are delighted that York Handmade’s wonderful bricks are going to be an integral part of our new injured jockeys centre. We are very keen to use local companies whenever possible and the fact that York Handmade makes such fantastic individual bricks meant our decision was a no-brainer.

“One of the key features of the new centre will be a special wall, where each brick has been bought for £50 by supporters, who include all the leading racing personnel in the UK and Ireland past and present like Tony McCoy, Lester Piggott, Vincent O’Brien, Barry Hills and John Francome. These bricks are named individually, which is an intricate and time-consuming process.”

The first brick will be laid this month and Jack Berry House is scheduled to open its doors next autumn. A state-of-the-art-building, it will include a gym, hydrotherapy pool, treatment rooms and respite accommodation.

Its opening will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Injured Jockeys Fund, which was set up in 1964 after Yorkshire rider Paddy Farrell was paralysed in the Grand National.