Chris Hughes declared fit to make jockey debut next weekend

Less than five months after Coral announced they would be helping Love Island star Chris Hughes to become a jockey, the Love Island star has been declared fit to race following a thorough assessment at Jack Berry House, a jockey fitness centre in Malton.

He also walked York Racecourse with his fellow competitors and former champion jockey Kevin Darley, who provided the riders with advice and tips.

Chris will race in the Best Western Hotels & Macmillan Ride of their Lives on 5.45pm on the 16th June. The flat race is one mile and one furlong in distance.

During the assessment Chris faced a gruelling challenge including a bleep test, a riding simulator and upper and lower body fitness tests.

Chris Hughes, Coral’s #LoveRacing ambassador, said: “I’m delighted. Since Coral first approached me, it’s been a hugely challenging, yet an unbelievably exciting five months.

“I have been working extremely hard with Jonjo O’Neill and Dominic Elsworth to prepare for this and can’t thank them enough.

“The experience has been fantastic but there’s still a way to go and I’m really looking forward to competing on the 16^th June and raising some money for Macmillan Cancer.”

Chris is taking part in charity race the ‘Ride of their Lives’ to raise vital money for Macmillan Cancer Support: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chrishughes-loveracing