26-06-2004
Amateur Riders are reminded that Permits to ride expire on 30th June 2004. They are also reminded that the Jockey Club Assessment of Concussion protocol requires them to have a baseline test carried out at a regional testing centre.
Details of the protocol and regional centres have been sent to all current riders and those who have not yet undergone a baseline test should arrange an appointment without further delay. Applications will not be considered unless the rider has undergone the baseline test.
Application forms for Permits are available from The Licensing Department, The Jockey Club Office, 42 Portman Square, London. W1H 6EN Tel: 020 7343 3237 Fax: 020 7935 8703 E-mail: dbrett@thejockeyclub.co.uk
26-06-2004
It has been agreed to combine the Conditional Licence and Amateur Category B Courses. The course is open to any rider wishing to take out a Category B permit subject to the existing pre-qualifying conditions and for potential Conditional Jockeys. Applications from Category B Amateurs are to be made direct to the Course Administrator at The Northern Racing College on 01302 861000. Trainers shoujld apply to John Smith at The Jockey Club, Licensing Department on 0207 486 4921 for a place for Conditional Jockeys.
26-06-2004
A Training Seminar for new Amateur Riders wishing to ride under The Rules of Racing will be held at Cheltenham on Tuesday 29th June and costs £104.00 including lunch and refreshments.
Application forms to reserve places on this course are obtainable from the Course Administrator, The British Racing School, Snailwell Road, Newmarket, Suffolk. CB8 7NU Tel: 01638 665103 Fax: 01638 560929 E-mail: courses@brs.org.uk
25-06-2004
Riding three winners on three different horses at three different racecourses in three consecutive days must be every amateur jockey’s dream, and this is exactly what Nicki Wilson achieved!After her winning ride last Saturday night at Warwick, Nicki said what a difference it made to ride the horses in their work at home so that she could get to know them well. Many congratulations to trainer Noel and to wife and amateur jockey Nicki!
23-06-2004
The first of this year’s 11 races of the Bollinger series was won in fine style by Michael Murphy at Newmarket on 5th June aboard BUCKS. Only three and a half years after taking up riding, Michael was recording his first every victory at his 32nd attempt. Michael said “I shall have to see but I may well retire now as I always said I would quite the saddle once I’d got a winner. The problem is once you have had a winner you think again!”The second race of the series, on 10th June at Newbury, was won by James Best on SANVIOVESE, who kept on finding more up the straight and won by 1 1/2 lengths from Simon Walker on EASTBOROUGH.Next Monday 28th June sees the 3rd race of the series at Musselburgh.
22-06-2004
Francesca Cumani, wearing her mother’s colours, and finishing in 6th place, could only enjoy the rear view of her mother Sara fighting out the closest of finishes to win by a head from Court of Appeal (Lorraine Ellison) with Stallone (Nicola Wilson) 3/4 length in third.
Mephisto battled home in great style for Sara, earning hers the traditional perk of her weight in champagne, kindly sponsored by Pol Roger, which amounted to 36 bottles!
Sara rode in the colours made famous by Kilmore winning the Grand National in 1962.
22-06-2004
Although Gwen has ridden in point-to-points, she enjoyed her first ever success on her debut ride on the flat at Bath, always prominent on High Drama. The day got off to a good start when the horse won the best turned out, and things only got better for Gwen with High Drama, who stayed on well to win by 3/4 of a length from Hannah Grissel on Harik, with Emma Folkes 1/2 length back in third with Noble Calling.
21-06-2004
The weather was kind to us at firstly Newbury on Thursday 10th June and then Doncaster three days later, when the final race of each card was the charity race. As in previous years, the AJA were responsible for helping to organise these charity races.
Thursday’s race saw Catherine Dettori take the spoils on board Barney Curley trained Cristoford in Catherine’s first ever ride on the racecourse, cheered on by husband Frankie. Joining Catherine in raising money for Spinal Injuries, Spinal Research and Retraining of Racehorses were David Arbuthnot, Gerry Chesneaux, Maxine Cowdrey, Robin Gray, Georgina Hammond, Ian Lawrence, Leon Nurse, Jamie Osborne, Mark Thurgood, Peter Wegmann and Jo Winter.
3 days later, Jamie Osborne and Peter Wegmann gamely donned their racing silks again to raise yet more money, this time in aid of not only Spinal Injuries but also Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and the Rehabilitation of Racehorses at Doncaster. They were joined by Mark Buckley, Scott Dixon, Ann Duffield, Jayne Gollings, Vicki Hall, Mark Lowry, Derek Shaw, Stephen Swiers and John Wainwright. It was a very tight finish with Scott taking 3rd place behind Jayne, with Stephen Swiers taking the honours.
Final figures are yet to be calculated for both days, but it is hoped that we will have raised over £150,000 overall for very worthwhile charities. Many thanks to all those who helped to make these days possible.
