BETDAQ RIDER CUP: Horse racing legends Pat Smullen and Paul Carberry will captain teams of leading jockeys and trainers at the inaugural BETDAQ Rider Cup – a golf day in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys.

It will mirror the format of the biennial Ryder Cup tournament, although instead of Europe against America, it will be flat versus jumps.

Robbie Power, Paul Townend, Charlie Swan and Chris Hayes are among the high-profile names signed up to play for nine-time Irish champion jockey Smullen, who has ridden Derby and Ascot Gold Cup winners, and 14-time Cheltenham Festival winner Carberry.

The BETDAQ Rider Cup takes place on Thursday 6 September at the Heritage Resort Golf Course in Co Laois, ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup in France on 28-30 September. The betting exchange will provide live coverage, including video and score updates, from the course on its @BETDAQ Twitter page.

All funds raised by the special event will go to the Irish Injured Jockeys charity, which was set up in 2014 to raise vital funds for riders in need of support. Additional donations can be made via:

http://www.irishinjuredjockeys.com/donations/.

Greg Walker, Key Accounts Manager at BETDAQ, said: “We are lucky in Ireland to have some of the world’s most talented riders, who put their bodies on the line every day for the sport we all love.

“At BETDAQ, we are delighted to be able to host this event. It will not only raise awareness and money for the Irish Injured Jockeys, but it will be fascinating to see these racing legends test their mettle on the links.”

Michael Higgins, General Manager, Irish Injured Jockeys, said: “We are delighted that Greg and his team at BETDAQ continue to show their support for us at Irish Injured Jockeys with another new event and we hope its success will lead to a bi-annual renewal like it’s similarly named but far less prestigious USA v Europe match. We look forward to a great day at The Heritage with some very competitive jockeys turned golfers.”