Family and Friends Cycled for Simone
Family and friends of Simone Montgomerie took the ride of a lifetime, saddling up for a 3000 kilometre cycle to celebrate the life of the late jockey.
The fundraising event, Cycling for Simone, saw a group of Simone’s loved ones ride from her home town of Streaky Bay in South Australia to Darwin, where she was tragically killed almost three years ago.
The journey took 26 days – one day for each year of Simone’s life – starting on Monday July 4 and arrived at Fannie Bay Racecourse, Darwin on Friday 29 July prior to the Darwin Cup.
The ride is the brainchild of Simone’s father, former leading trainer Peter Montgomerie, with 100% of proceeds from the ride being donated at the National Jockeys Trust.
“The National Jockeys Trust and the industry as a whole came together to provide Kodah and our family with amazing support following Simone’s death,” Peter Montgomerie said.
“We wanted to be able to give something back to the Trust and for the families and loved ones of other riders who are seriously injured or killed.”
“A bike ride from Simone’s home town of Streaky Bay to Darwin seems a fitting way we can do this – a big job – but something we can do to help, celebrate Simone’s life and make a difference at the same time!”
In a major boost, the start of the Cycling for Simone ride in Streaky Bay, played host to the opening leg of the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour.
Cycling for Simone ambassador Kerrin McEvoy returned home to join fellow Melbourne Cup winning jockeys John Marshall & John Letts for the Streaky Bay Racing Club Community Fun Day. Fundraising activities included the opportunity to have your photo taken with the Melbourne Cup, and the Cycling for Simone Cup Calcutta, on a hobby horse race featuring Melbourne Cup ambassadors and Cycling for Simone team members.
Local residents got their final chance to see the Melbourne Cup at the Streaky Bay Hotel during the Cycling for Simone breakfast, from 6am-7am. Locals bid the riders farewell on their journey to Darwin at 7.30am from the Streaky Bay Jetty.
Cycling for Simone announce IGA as the Diamond Partner of the event, and meeting IGA customers along the journey from Streaky Bay to Darwin.
“We’ve had some tremendous support – none more so than IGA – leaders in supermarkets across the country – in particular through South Australia and the Northern Territory covering our journey,” event organiser Greg Irvine said.
“IGA is very proud to be part of the Cycling for Simone ride across SA and NT,” Paul Beck, owner of IGA Streaky Bay said.
“As a local of Streaky Bay my IGA supports many community events but this is a very important cause and we welcome everyone down to the store to view the Melbourne Cup and meet the Cycling for Simone team on Saturday 2 July at 4pm.”
Cycling for Simone will visit many IGA’s on the route starting with Streaky Bay IGA, Kimba IGA, Coober Pedy IGA, an IGA in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek IGA, as well as Rosebery IGA and Fannie Bay IGA in the NT.
National Jockeys Trust Chairman Paul Innes added “Cycling For Simone is a wonderful initiative by a beautiful family. The Trust is privileged to be the beneficiary of funds raised during the ride. To Simone’s family, friends and especially to IGA and all supporters and sponsors, on behalf of the Trust, thank you for your efforts as we continue to provide support for injured jockeys in need of assistance.”
Supporters of the event include: Gold Partners: UBET, Darwin Turf Club, Streaky Bay Racing Club and Streaky Bay Tourism; Silver Partners: Makybe, Tumby Troughs, Maisha Fitness and Kym Clark Constructions; Bronze Partners: Chris Waller Racing, Letcher Moroney Chartered Accountants, MGA Insurance Brokers, Hazeal Newman & Associates and Turners Readymixed Concrete. Also thanks to supporters Victoria Racing Club, Sirecam, Impact Signs, Ace Traffic and EcoCaddy.
