Who we are

Founded on the 21st November 1975, the Irish Jockey’s Trust is a registered charity (CHY 8896) and is allowed to consider applications for support from licenced jockeys and retired licenced jockeys (and/or their families), where there is financial distress that has resulted from one of the following: Injury, Incapacity and Age. The trust is also entitled to support individuals who are training as licenced apprentice jockeys.

Applications are considered by a board of Trustees, who are nominated by the Turf Club and the Irish Jockeys Association (Ltd.). The awarding of support by the Trust is at the discretion of the Trustees in all cases. The amount and nature of the support given, is decided upon, on a case by case basis and as individual circumstances require.

The Trustees

Mary Cosgrave

Chairperson

Mary’s career was in tourism with both Bord Fáilte and Fáilte Ireland. She has an interest in the horseracing Industry and volunteers as a Senior Steward for the IHRB . Mary is a nominee of the Turf Club to the Irish Jockey’s Trust and has served as Chairperson for the last number of years.

John McStay

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My late father was one of the original trustees of IJT. I was honoured, many years later, to be asked to serve as a trustee nominated by Irish Jockeys Association. I was Chairman of the Trust for a number of years.

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Adrian McGoldrick

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Dr Adrian McGoldrick has been a long standing Trustee and has a wealth of industry experience and Knowledge.

“My reason for accepting the nomination to be a Trustee was to continue my commitment to the welfare of riders -both active and retired.”

Mary O Connor

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Mary is a solicitor by profession who comes from a farming background.

She has had a long association with horses and the industry. Mary has served and continues to serve on committees both in The Turf Club and Horseracing Ireland. She has been a Trustee since 2017.

Our Staff

Joe Kenny

CEO

Joe Kenny has been with the Irish Jockeys Trust as Acting CEO for a number of years now. His background is in operations and human resource management and he has extensive experience in both the public and private sector.

Barbara Murphy

Administration

Barbara is the first point of contact and has been a long standing and valued member of the team at the Irish Jockeys trust. Barbara works part time, Tuesday and Wednesday and is available via email at info@ijt.ie

Colin Fallon

Director of Services

Colin entered the social work field originally as a Probation Officer in the Court, Prisons & Community settings, followed by several managerial positions within the field of Occupational Social Work. A social worker, mediator and CBT therapist, he is particularly interested in the resilience of jockeys as athletes and how best to support them in their competitive environment. Colin believes that the role of the IRISH JOCKEYS TRUST is critical in terms of social, psychological, coaching and financial supports to sustain their career pathways and optimum choices going.

Katie McManmon

Career Coach

Katie is a former apprentice jockey and works alongside this role as an instructor in the Racing Academy. Katie has a vast understanding of the Irish horse racing industry and a passion for helping jockeys upskill so that they may remain in the industry and return to education to pursue new careers.