CARLISLE Racecourse’s biggest racing fixture of the summer, headlined by 80s super group Madness, will be an historic fund-raising testimonial for two seriously injured jockeys thanks to the Cumbria-based Stobart Group.

Rodi Greene, 42, had to retire from the saddle after being partially paralysed by a neck injury he suffered in a fall at Lingfield Park, while fellow jumps jockey Phil Kinsella, 29, fractured his skull at Market Rasen Racecourse last year.

Their injuries came just days before the start of the Stobart Group's sponsorship of the Professional Jockeys Association, which included reviving an insurance scheme offering compensation for riders whose careers are ended by injury. This meant the jockeys missed out on £100,000.

But their colleagues will be at Carlisle Racecourse on July 7 for the Stobart Family Festival to take part in a series of fund-raising benefit events.

It is believed to be the first time that a fund-raising testimonial has been held at a race meeting for two injured riders.

AP McCoy, the Champion Jump Jockey and former BBC Sports Personality of the Year, is among several top riders who are expected to take part.

A capacity 9,500 crowd is expected for the evening meeting, with more than half the tickets for the racing and live music double bill having already been snapped up.

Gates open at 3.30pm and the racing is scheduled between 6.30pm and 9pm, with the Madness concert following the racing.