Top rider throws support behind calendar

Newcastle rider and part-time photographer Andrew Gibbons spent months working on the calendar which went on sale for the first time at the Magic Millions meeting.

"It's going great. We're on target to hopefully sell about 2,000 copies," Gibbons said.

"The public has been supporting it and they're selling very well."

Melbourne Cup winning jockey Corey Brown threw his support behind the calendars, the sale of which will raise money for charity.

Brown, who rode Shocking to victory in this year's Melbourne Cup, is not only the pin-up for April and November but has also provided the funds to get the calendar printed.

Profits from sales of the calendar will got to a children's refuge in Redfern.

"(The Settlement Neighbourhood Centre) gives the kids a bit of a home away from home," Brown said.

"I am just happy to help out, I think it is a good cause."

Brown visited the centre recently and took his own children with him.

"It was a bit of an eye-opener and a reality check for them," he said.

The Australian Jockeys' Association was to have provided the finances for the production of the calendars but that fell through at the last minute and Brown didn't hesitate to step in.

"I took it on board because Andrew Gibbons had done a lot of work getting all the photos," Brown said.

The TAB has already bought 500 copies of the calendars, which sell for $20 each, and Brown hopes they will continue to be a hit in the run-up to Christmas.

Source: www.superracing.com.au/heraldsun/story/Top-rider-throws-support-behind-calendar/10777