John Francome helping to raise cash for motor neurone disease research after jockey Steve Jobar’s diagnosis
LEGENDARY jockey John Francome has urged the racing industry to help raise cash for research into motor neurone disease through an auction and charity lunch at Newbury racecourse.
His great friend Steve Jobar, a Cheltenham Festival winner who bagged the Triumph Hurdle in 1980 on Heighlin, was diagnosed with MND in April 2022.
They are currently on course to raise over £100,000 to help fund research into the cruel disease, which has no cure.
Francome will host a live auction at a fundraiser at Newbury racecourse on Friday, with 450 people set to attend.
There is also JustGiving page set up and an additional silent auction online, with some 76 lots which people can bid on to help raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Francome himself was the first person to spot the signs of MND in Jobar when they were at a friend’s funeral two years ago.
He said: “I’ve known Steve since he was 18 and he is the most talented guy.
“He was a brilliant rider, when he retired he became a master saddler and he went off to work with his brother-in-law and became a brilliant carpenter.
“He could build you anything you want, he could build you a roof, he could build you a staircase. He is one of life’s grafters and he always had a smile on his face.
“I noticed at Stan Mellor’s funeral a couple of years ago that something wasn’t quite right with him, he doesn’t drink but he was slurring his words.
“It’s just the most awful disease. He can’t speak or swallow now, he is having a stomach peg fitted so he can eat.
“Four weeks ago I drove past his house and he was outside trimming his hedges, now he can’t really do anything. It’s absolutely frightening how quickly people with MND can deteriorate.
“All we can do is try and spread awareness and raise as much as we can so one day they might be able to find a cure.”
Rob Burrow, the former rugby league star, also suffers from MND, as did the late Doddie Weir.