Formula One drivers and boxers might beg to differ, but if pressed to answer the question which is the most dangerous sporting profession in the world, many might answer "jockey". Not for nothing is it often pointed out that they are the only sportsmen and women whom an ambulance follows in the course of their performance.
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Its a sad fact of life that many riders have been killed over the decades in Australia and hardly a year goes by without a fatality either on a racetrack or at trackwork.
So the National Jockeys Trust, which offers counselling and emotional and financial support to riders and their families in the event of death or serious injury, is an important body in the lives of the men and women who perform 363 days a year at racecourses the length and breadth of Australia.
On Monday the NJT will stage its annual fundraising charity cricket match at Caulfield Park when 14 leading jockeys, headed by multiple premiership champion Damien Oliver, will swap the racetrack for the cricket pitch to play against a Racing All Stars team, including the likes of Geelong champion and former Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel, and English trainer Archie Alexander, who is now based at Ballarat.
Two of the young players taking part are Mitch Goring, the 14-year-old son of late jockey Mark Goring, and Josh Ledger, the 12-year-old son of late jockey Adrian Ledger. The NJT was formed in 2004 as a result of their fathers' fatal falls.
This game is the biggest fundraiser the NJT stages. The organisation has provided some $3.2 million in funding and financial assistance to 330 jockeys - and their families - after suffering serious or fatal injuries in the saddle.
Attorney-General and Minister for Racing Martin Pakula will conduct the coin toss and bowl the first over of the match.
Jockey Jason Benbow spelled out the importance of the initiative. "When I go to work, two ambulances follow me around, but with a young family at home waiting for me, it puts my mind at ease knowing the National Jockeys Trust are there to support us in the event of a race fall," he said.
"This is where the inspiration for the cricket match came from and it makes me proud that my fellow jockeys get so involved in making it such a success each year."
Bryce McGain, a former Australian Test player, will captain the All Stars, while former AFL stars Robert "Dipper" DiPierdomenico and Rex Hunt will serve as guest umpires. Racecallers Matt Hill and Adam Crettenden will lead the commentary team.
The 1992 Melbourne Cup winner Subzero will also make a special guest appearance to award the man-of-the-match trophy named in his honour.
Admission is free, and the event also features children's activities, a sausage sizzle, food trucks and a cash bar. Gates open at 12pm, with the game set to start at 1pm.
