'Access is important and must be encouraged' - jockeys at Newbury will have surnames in sight on Coral Gold Cup day

Champion jump jockey Harry Cobden has welcomed the decision to strengthen the relationship between riders and racegoers on Coral Gold Cup day at Newbury next week.

The Under Jockeys' Orders initiative, a collaboration between the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and Great British Racing, was first trialled on Nunthorpe day at York in August and now moves to the jumps on Saturday, November 30.

Jockeys will wear their surnames on the back of their breeches to make them easily identifiable on course and to TV viewers and there will be an autograph session outside the weighing room before the start of racing.

In addition, former winners of the Coral Gold Cup including Harry Skelton, who partnered Le Milos in 2022, will take part in a commentary challenge on the race they won.

Cobden said: "I’m looking forward to being involved in the event. I believe that all jockeys have a part to play in promoting ourselves to a wider audience, both at the races and across media platforms. Access to jockeys is important and must be encouraged."

Newbury’s chief executive Shaun Hinds, who will take charge of his first Coral Gold Cup meeting since joining in the summer, is excited to bring the initiative to the track’s flagship jumps fixture.

He said: "Jockeys are the human athletes of our wonderful sport and I’m delighted Newbury can help to further promote engagement with the participants and raise their profiles. We hope we can further connect our racegoers, both in attendance and joining us from afar, with the jockeys and give an insight into the hard work, dedication and skill required to perform at the highest level in the sport."

PJA racing director Dale Gibson added: "We're delighted to be partnering Newbury with Under Jockeys' Orders, a PJA initiative to bring racing fans closer to the sport and our heroes in the saddle. Racegoers will get the chance to meet the leading jump jockeys as part of an amazing day of racing."

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