Jockey told she may never walk again wins famous charity race at Goodwood

04 August 2023 , 14:53

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Annabelle Hadden-Wight wins the Markel Magnolia Cup Charity Race (Image: Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)

A young racing secretary who was told she might never walk again celebrated her recovery in a manner she might not have imagined at Goodwood on Friday.

Four years ago Annabelle Hadden-Wight, 22, went to the Philippines for her 18th birthday only to contract the serious disease meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord which can bring major complications.

Hadden-Wight ended up spending many months on the Pacific islands, for a lot of the time struggling to walk. Fortunately she made a full recovery and, having decided to make full use of her opportunities since, took up the challenge of riding in the Markel Magnonlia Cup. The Goodwood charity race for women featured 12 runners and riders including 72-year-old Caroline Miller, and has raised more than £2.1 million for good causes.

Hadden-Wight, who works for second-season trainer Jack Jones in Newmarket, rides out regularly but had never ridden in a race. Riding Fosroc, trained by Scot Dixon, she was smartly away in the five and a half furlong race and kept going to hold off Eliza McCalmont on C.Eliza Doolots.

“He jumped really well, we got a good start, and I was in front most of the way,” said Hadden-Wight. “I had two each side and I decided that I was not going to let them come past! My legs were good, but I did jump off and my knees buckled. I am pretty tired now! It has been an amazing experience.

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"Four years ago I was in the Philippines and I got really ill on my 18th birthday, on just the second day we were there. I ended up spending months and months out there – I had meningitis with lots of complications and my legs weren't working, I was in a wheelchair.

“They said I may never walk or ride again. After making a full recovery, I like to take every opportunity, it really changed my outlook on life. It was for the best, but at the time pretty scary.”

This year’s race was in support of Education Above All’s (EEA) Educate A Child programme with all net proceeds going to a project in Malawi that provides education and support for children most at risk of dropping out of primary education through a joint project between Education Above All and CAMFED.

Jon Lees