Cheltenham is turning yellow tomorrow (Friday) in memory of Tiggy Hancock from Bagenalstown in Carlow.
The Kilkenny college student died in June following a horse-riding accident.
Since then, the racing world has rallied and the likes of AP McCoy, Ruby Walsh, Paul Townend, Barry Geraghty, and more are all aiming to help turn Cheltenham yellow for Friday’s racing and mark the official launch of Tiggys Trust.
Carlow Olympian Sam Watson has been telling KCLR what’s going to happen.
“In true Tiggy fashion it’s taking off in a big way and becoming this sort of bright ray of sunshine for young people and it’s great to do that and to be moving forward and doing something really positive in her memory I think,” said Sam.
“There’s been yellow ribbons everywhere around the world from Royal Ascot to the Tokyo Olympic games and now Cheltenham is going to be turned yellow”.
“It’s a successful hunting ground for the Irish in the racing world and it’s a really fitting place to launch Tiggys Trust”.
Tiggy’s Trust
Tiggy’s Trust is a charitable foundation set up in Tiggy Hancock’s memory. The race day
will include The Tiggy’s Trust Novices’ Steeple Chase at 12.40 and a sizeable fundraising
effort at the course to which 700 plus guests will attend including 20-time Champion
jockey, Sir Anthony McCoy, eventing Olympian gold medallist, Laura Collett, and former
multiple Irish Champion jockey Ruby Walsh.
Tiggy’s favourite colour, yellow, has been emblazoned by equestrians across the world
over the past six months to commemorate her short inspirational life and Cheltenham
will embrace this theme by ‘turning yellow’ on this day.
Tiggy’s Trust will use the funds raised to assist young people both by offering mental
health support, through recognised organisations, to those who need it, and also
providing training and education to help young aspiring equestrians achieve their goals.
A proportion of the funds raised on the day will also go to the Injured Jockeys Fund and
the Pony Racing Authority, two organisations close to Tiggy’s family’s heart and ethos.
Find out more about Tiggy’s Trust here – tiggystrust.com