Coolmore make donation to Irish pony racing circuit thanks to jockey's letter

Coolmore have stepped in to make a donation in aid of the Irish pony racing circuit's fundraising drive to tackle high insurance costs after 13-year-old jockey Sam Coen took it upon himself to write a letter to John Magnier seeking support.

Coen, first cousin of jockeys Ben and Jake, has ridden five pony race winners this year. Having taken the initiative to write a letter to the breeding operation's founder, his industry was rewarded as Coolmore obliged with a contribution.

It is not the first time a pony racing jockey has written a letter seeking help with fundraising. Dylan O'Connor, who leads the scene's jockeys' championship with 30 winners, wrote a letter last year to Taoiseach Micheal Martin asking for a donation to help with the rising insurance costs the circuit endured when it resumed after the pandemic.

Martin, in turn, contacted Horse Racing Ireland who agreed to fund the circuit and have continued to do so this year.

Coen said: "John is a great man around Fethard – he always does so much for the town. I said to him we were struggling with the insurance and would they [Coolmore] mind helping out. They had no issues.

"I also said in the letter that all the jockeys of the future are riding on the pony racing circuit. There were no questions asked – they said no problem. It's amazing really."

Antoinette Gallagher of the Midlands Horse and Pony Racing Club said she was overjoyed by Coolmore's donation.

She said: "John's contribution is absolutely fantastic – we're really blown away by it. He was so impressed with Sam's letter and said we have to keep the sport alive.

"When he got Sam's letter he probably realised this is a 13-year-old jockey who's ridden a few winners and this is what he needs to keep going. He can't go anywhere until after he's 16, and if this sport dies he'll have nowhere to go.

"That's what it takes. These young kids are living the dream. For them to take on the responsibility of writing these letters at such a young age, it's phenomenal really."

Ben Coen: cousin Sam was instrumental in securing John Magnier's donationCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Organisers secured an insurance quote last month to help save one of the industry's most important grassroot sectors, while they have also set up an auction on their website with numerous items to bid on to help raise the money needed. A GoFundMe page has also been created by Mags O'Connor, mother of Dylan.

Pony racing has been thriving in Ireland since it returned from its short break, despite organisers' battle to secure an insurance deal. A big crowd is expected to gather on the Glenbeigh Strand for its famous beach meeting a week on Saturday.

Gallagher added: "Things are going really well. We had a big crowd in Dingle earlier in the month and next weekend in Glenbeigh is going to be huge. There's always a big crowd."

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