Racing Queensland (RQ) in conjunction with the National Jockeys Trust has established a fund in honour of jockey Desiree Gill.
Desiree, wife of popular trainer Barry Gill, tragically passed away on Sunday, November 10, from injuries sustained in a race fall the night before at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club.
Minister for Racing Steve Dickson said race clubs around Australia would also pay tribute to Desiree by dedicating races in her memory this weekend.
Mr Dickson will attend the Roma Races this Saturday, where the Cup race has been renamed the XXXX Gold Desiree Gill Memorial Cup.
Race meetings in Queensland on Saturday include Eagle Farm, Gold Coast, Julia Creek, Clermont and Roma. The race meeting at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday will also include a race in Desiree’s honour.
Interstate meetings on Saturday include Darwin, NT; Caulfield, VIC; Morphettville, SA; and Perth, WA.
New South Wales and Tasmania will pay tribute to Desiree during their race meetings on Friday, November 15.
RQ CEO Darren Condon said Desiree’s family would decide in the next few weeks as to how the funds would be used.
Mr Condon said $20,000 in prizemoney from the two races abandoned following the fall at Saturday’s meeting would also be donated to the fund.
RQ is continuing to offer ongoing support and counselling for all jockeys, trainers, staff and racegoers.
A stewards investigation into Saturday’s Maiden Handicap at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club is ongoing.
Donations can be made to the Desiree Gill Fund via direct debit using the below details:
Name: The Desiree Gill Fund
BSB: 084-004
Account Number: 39-452-7218
