Some of the country’s top jockeys from past and present are getting in behind Oamaru’s meeting on Thursday.

The eight-race card has drawn the support of a number of the country’s leading hoops who have tasted success at Oamaru and will sponsor a race at the meeting, including:

• Harold Pateman
• Les and Midge Didham
• James McDonald
• Paul and Jamie Richards
• Russell McAra
• Ali Robinson
• Opie Bosson
• Chad Ormsby

“All those jockeys have all won a race at Oamaru,” Oamaru Jockey Club’s Jack McKenzie said.

“We just came up with an idea around jockeys from the past and we scrolled back and came up with this list.

“They are putting in $250 in sponsorship and a race is going to be named after each of them.”

Stewart said the club is appreciated of the support from each rider, including champion Sydney jockey James McDonald, Champion New Zealand hoop Opie Bosson, and now Hong Kong-based trainer Jamie Richards.

“James McDonald rode one winner at Oamaru called Cactus for Garth McRae and Garry Newham in 2009,” McKenzie said.

“Opie Bosson rode two winners here – Magic Epic for Joe-Anne Dalton and Commander Cody for Jan Hay in 2014.

“Jamie Richards won a few amateur races, including aboard Never Plead Guilty, Noble Court and Dane Ruler.”