CHARITY DINNER AND DANCE IN AID OF THE INJURED JOCKEYS FUND

– AND THE ‘SLAVE FOR A DAY’ AUCTION – 29 AUGUST 2008

A black tie event was held on Friday 29 August 2008 to raise money for the Injured Jockeys Fund, in particular Sarah Gaisford and Wayne Burton, who both sustained serious injuries at Exeter in 2007.

As part of the fund raising activities, 8 jockeys plus valet, Graham Piper, volunteered to be auctioned as ‘Slaves for a Day’. 5 jockeys – Paddy Brennan, David Dennis, Tom O’Brien, Daryl Jacob and Nick Scholfield attended the event itself, and all donned collars and cuffs and were smothered in baby oil! Sam Thomas, Richard Johnson and Choc were unable to attend, but agreed to be auctioned in their absence.

The next day Richard Pitman, who was a speaker at Friday’s event, and was then reporting from Newton Abbot races, said that Choc had fetched £400. A mere £400 … that’s very disappointing, as I think he’s priceless!

The ‘top lot’ of the evening was David Dennis, who was purchased by his father for £1,100, with Paddy Brennan being sold for £1,000.

If anyone knows who purchased the lovely Choc, and what tasks he was assigned for his day as a ‘slave’, I’d love to hear about it.