ANNE, Princess Royal, was in Taunton today (Thursday, March 30) to officially open the South-West ‘hub’ for the Injured Jockeys Fund.

The new hub is located at Taunton Rugby Club and at the opening ceremony, many special guests were on hand to see the facilities.

As well as The Princess Royal, Sir Anthony McCoy OBE, Mr Brough Scott MBE, Mr Tom Scudamore and Mr Ed Chamberlin were all in attendance.

The Princess Royal is also the Patron of the Injured Jockeys Fund.

She said at the opening: "It is really great to have this hub in a place like Taunton.

"It is really good to see and learn how this hub will further help injured jockeys in the South West and I am honoured to open the facility.

"What makes it even better is to see the rugby and horse racing community in Taunton come together for this project."

The hub will serve jockeys and beneficiaries in the surrounding areas for whom travel to Oaksey House, the IJF’s Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre in Lambourn, is deemed too far. It provides the provision to rehabilitate from injuries as well as strength and conditioning for injury prevention.

Lisa Hancock, CEO of the IJF added: “With many big yards in the area, the South-West is a thriving area for National Hunt racing, so we are delighted to be able to offer an extension of our facilities at the South-West hub.

"It will play an important role in both fitness and rehabilitation to jockeys in the area as well as to help serve our beneficiaries.

"HRH The Princess Royal opened both Oaksey House in 2009 and Jack Berry House (in Malton) in 2015, so we are thrilled that once again she is so actively supporting the work we do.”

The physiotherapy services at the hub are provided by Adam Rutter, and strength and conditioning by Lyndon Lane. Both are hugely experienced in a range of sports at elite level.

The hub also houses a jockey equiciser enabling jockey coach Rodi Greene to host regular sessions for younger riders in the area.

Opening times:

  • Physiotherapy clinic: Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm (soon to be extended to Friday) - jockey consultations are appointment only
  • Sessions of Strength and Conditioning: six sessions are available each week which must be booked and take place in the evenings Mon-Thurs between 5-7pm
  • Jockey coaching: by appointment

Contact: Katie Stephens, Welfare Liaison  katie.stephens@ijf.org.uk