A Jockey’s career is one of uncertainties. Risk factor looms large each time he gets a leg-up. Whether it is a race ride or regular work regimen, this professional always runs a risk of limb or even life.

One such young boy who has been a victim of the vagaries of this sport is S. Chandrasekhar, a 32 year old, lying on the hospital bed at Ramaiah College of Medical Sciences, Bangalore in a semi-coma state with an occasional blinking of his eyes. A ride on ‘Perfect Cruise’ at Mysore on the 8^th of January 2014 did not end up being one. The horse stumbled after passing the 800 metres and came crashing down along with the jockey. Perfect Cruise was euthanized after suffering a fracture of right-fore radius and ulna and Chandrasekhar was rushed to the hospital with serious head injuries.

Chandrasekhar is the only bread-winner of the family and life definitely is not the same for those depending on him. The Jockeys Association of India initiated the process to create a corpus fund to rehabilitate and support Chandrasekhar and his family. The managing committee of the Bangalore Turf Club Limited headed by its Chairman, Mr.V.Harimohan Naidu was magnanimous in supporting this endeavour by approving an amount of Rs.10 lakhs as an initial contribution.

‘Bangalore Mirror’, an English daily carried an article on the plight of the jockey in their edition of the 19^th of May 2014. Indiaracce.com has also joined the cause in creating awareness amongst its esteemed readers to collect funds for a cause that is just. IR Horse Talk members and many others have supported this initiative wholeheartedly.

Mr.P.S.Chouhan, President of the Jockeys Association of India has thanked Mr. Harimohan Naidu, Chairman of B.T.C. and his committee for their magnanimous gesture and has requested the racing fraternity to come forward and do their might. “We at JAI ensure that the fund will be used judiciously in meeting the hospital expenses and the family requirement” said Mr.Chouhan, speaking to Indiarace.

Mr.P.S.Chouhan said that a separate account for this fund will be opened in the bank in a couple of days (details of which will be carried in Indiarace) and till then all contributions may be sent to the following bank account.

We request one and all to contribute generously and send their donations to the account details given below.

The Jockeys Association of India
Corporation Bank – Kumara Park Branch
A/c No. 075100101001372
IFSC Code: CORP0000751

Postal Address : The Jockeys Association of India
No. 27, ‘Panchajanya’ 2nd Floor
Crescent Road Cross, Srikantan Layout
High Grounds
Bangalore – 560 001.