National Jockey Day at Haydock Park

National Jockey Day is to be launched at Haydock's Betfair Chase meeting on Saturday to raise awareness and recognise the relentless and dangerous work jockeys do.

The initiative is being supported by online bookmaker Betfair, the Injured Jockeys Fund and Haydock racecourse.

It has also received the backing of eight-times champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls, and retired jump jockey Mick Fitzgerald, whose career came to an end when he broke his neck in a fall in the Grand National.

The average Flat jockey rides in 220 races per year, while the average jump jockey has 162 mounts.

Despite the long days at work, high skill levels and danger, the average wage for a jockey is £30,680 per year. Flat jockey race fees are set at £118.29 per ride, jump jockeys slightly more at £161.51.

You can support National Jockey Day by using the hashtag #NationalJockeyDay in a tweet, with £1 per tweet (up to £10,000) being donated to the Injured Jockeys Fund by Betfair.

Supporters of this worthwhile cause can also donate £5 by texting 'IJF' to 70800 before Saturday's meeting (November 22).