Tributes paid to Cheltenham Festival winning jockey and MND 'hero' who has died

Tributes have been paid to a popular Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey who spent his final years living with Motor Neurone Disease.

Steve Jobar won the Triumph Hurdle on Heighlin in 1980, the biggest of the 132 winners he rode during a 20 year career as a professional jockey.

After retiring from the saddle he became an accomplished glider pilot but in 2022, at the age of 74, he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

The illness, for which there is no cure, was the same disease suffered by other sportsmen, rugby league legend Rob Burrow and rugby player Doddie Weir, who both sadly died.

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Jobar, who like Burrow became unable to speak, was at the centre of a fund-raising campaign organised within racing which went on to exceed its £100,000 target.

When it was launched his wife Dot posted on his Just Giving page said: “Former National Hunt jockey Steve Jobar, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in April 2022.

“Time is not on his side but he wants to support the families and those sufferIng from this horrible disease, for which there is no cure.

“The Steve Jobar MND Handicap Hurdle will be run at Newbury Racecourse on 22nd March 2024, alongside a fundraising lunch.

“Every penny raised in support of Steve Jobar and the Steve Jobar race day will be split 50/50 between the Reading and West Berkshire Branch and MND research so that we can better understand the disease and find a cure.”

The event was to raise £193,000 with a post from Jobar on his X account, saying: “What an extraordinary day yesterday turned out to be. Both positive, generous and fun.

“If you could bottle the feelings coming from all in the room I think we would have a cure tomorrow. I may not be functioning right but it was still one of the best days of my life. Thank you.”

Jonathan Powell, who chaired the committee which organised the fundraising event said on X : “Racing has lost a true hero with the death of Steve Jobar.

“He rode 132 winners over jumps but will be remembered for his astonishing toughness of spirit since being diagnosed with the brutal disease MND in April 2022. His stubborn defiance knowing what was coming was an inspiration.”

Former Grand National-winning jockey Brendan Powell replied, “So sad JP. A lovely guy, who I was lucky to work with, and ride with, when we were at Stan Mellor’s.

“One of the most stylish riders who wouldn’t look out of place today. RIP Steve.”