Racing industry rallies to support family of jockey Rebecca Black

Horses were said to be Rebecca Black's number one passion. Photo / Otago Daily Times

The southern racing fraternity are rallying to support the family of local jockey Rebecca Black, who was killed in a race fall at Gore on Sunday.

Gallop South and the Southland Racing Club are among organisations that are setting up a fund for her three children.

The documents to set up the fund to support Black's two teenage sons and primary school-aged daughter, should be finalised today, Southland Racing Club president Sean Bellew said. "The intention is to create a Rebecca Black trust and obviously formalise it with three trustees."

The groups were acting promptly on the back of a number of offers from Southerners wanting to help the children financially.

"I have had people ring me today and they want to donate thousands of dollars. We have to take that in hand and act in earnest."

National racing bodies also wanted to contribute to the running of the trust, Bellew said yesterday.

"The Jockeys' Association through Darryl Bradley want to be involved, the Trainers' Association want to be involved and New Zealand Racing are going to play a big hand in the process."

Emotional support for the three children at this time was paramount, Bellew said. "The key for us as as a local racing community is to insulate Rebecca's children. To be struck down and to lose your mum is shocking, but it is even more shocking at this time of year."

People who want to contribute to the trust should contact the Gallop South office.

Once the trust was formalised donation avenues would be advertised, especially on social media, Bellew said.

The Riverton community, where Black lived, is also mourning the loss of the jockey.

The 40-year-old had recently set up the horse riding business, Riverton Horses, in the town which taught locals how to improve their riding skills.

Black's friend Ruth Wong-Sang remembers the horsewoman as a passionate and hard working family-orientated person.