Saffron Cresswell, Ros Canter and Graham Lee will be among the guests at the opening jump meeting of the season next month at Wetherby Races. 

Former event rider Saffron, who broke her back in two places and damaged her spinal cord in a cross-country fall at Bramham Horse Trials in June 2024, will be a guest speaker at Wetherby Racecourse on Wednesday 15 October, for the annual Northern Raceday for Spinal Research.

Spinal Research is the UK’s leading charity funding the best research to develop effective treatments for spinal cord injuries.

“When I instantly couldn’t feel my legs I understood straightaway what was happening and potentially how bad it was,” said Saffron about the fall.

“It’s been really hard going from being so fit and focused on my career doing what I love to facing a very different future, but I’m positive and determined to find new goals and purpose.” 

“An unbelievably tough time”

Graham Lee

Grand National-winning jockey Graham, who was left paralysed from the neck down after being unseated from his horse as the stalls opened at Newcastle Races in November 2023, will also be in attendance at Wetherby to help raise awareness and vital funds for Spinal Research.

“I’m delighted to be supporting Spinal Research and to be back at Wetherby,” said Graham, who rode more than 1,000 winners over jumps before switching to Flat racing.

He was the first rider in history to win both the Grand National and the Ascot Gold Cup.

“This has been an unbelievably tough time, but Spinal Research has given me and my incredible family hope for the future and we want to do all we can to support their incredible work.”

Ros Canter, who retained her Burghley Horse Trials title earlier this month, will also be a guest at Wetherby’s Northern Raceday for Spinal Research, which has raised over £800,000 for the charity over the past 35 years.

To find out more and to buy tickets click here.  

Images © Spinal Research.

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