Private family funeral for GAY KINDERSLEY

29-04-2011

 A memorial service to celebrate the life of AJA Life President GAY KINDERSLEY will be held in early summer, at a date to be announced later, possibly in June.

The funeral next week will be private for family members only.Gay’s widow Philippa said that Gay made people laugh right up until the end.  He was singing an Australian song to his hospital nurse on the evening that he died and also enjoyed a draught Guinness!

Nina & Organisedconfusion win Irish National!

25-04-2011

Many congratulations to Nina Carberry  on her magnificent triumph for her uncle, Arthur Moore, in a cool ride on Organisedconfusion at Fairyhouse today to win the Irish Grand National and follow in the footsteps of Ann Ferris who won the race in 1984 on Bentom Boy.  Nina joins her brothers Paul and Philip in winning this prestigious race as well as her father Tommy.

Settled in the rear for much of the race, Organisedconfusion made steady progress and Nina timed her run to perfection.  Nina said “I knew I had plenty of horse left turning into the straight and could see plenty in front of me struggling.  The loose horse helped me actually as mine started to idle.”

Following the race Arthur Moore said “This is a fabulous family occasion.  We decided to come for this after his good run at Leopardstown in January.  I told Nina not to get involved too early.”

Many congratulations to winning connections.

AJA Honorary Life President GAY KINDERSLEY dies

21-04-2011

The AJA are very sad to announce the death of their Honorary Life President, legendary amateur rider Gay Kindersley, who died earlier today aged 80.

Champion amateur jockey in 1959-60, Gay broke his back five years later but rode again against medical advice.  His last winning ride was for Fegentri in Belgium and he trained at East Garston after retiring from the saddle.  Amongst his horses owned was Carrickbeg, just beaten by Ayala in the 1963 Grand National ridden by Lord Oaksey, and Gay often reminisced about the race and the party afterwards which cost more than his placed prize money!

Gay’s health deteriorated in recent months and he retired as AJA President in December to be appointed Honorary Life President.  Following a small stroke on Tuesday, he was admitted to hospital where he unexpectedly died on Thursday.

Numerous tributes have poured in which include:

• Nicky Henderson: “The Lambourn Valley has sadly lost one of its greatest treasures and undoubtedly one of the greatest characters that ever graced the turf.  Gay was a friend to all.  He will always be remembered as a legendary amateur rider, trainer and Jockey Club member but, above all, one of the greatest raconteurs who could light up a party at the flick of a finger.  Gay was so special to us all.”
• Jamie Osborne:  “Gay was a tremendous character who was so kind to me when I first arrived in Lambourn in the 1980s.  We remained close friends and I’ll miss him desperately.  Although there was an age difference between us you’d never know it.  Sometimes I had to tell him to grow up! He lived life to the full and will be fondly remembered by everyone privileged to know him.”
• Marcus Armytage:  “Gay was an inspiration to all amateurs.  He loved life and no doubt will be having a party right now.  When I rode in the Fegentri series for amateurs in Europe he was my chaperone but I always ended up looking after him.”

Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced and are delayed because of the Bank Holidays.

Congratulations to Sam Waley-Cohen on great GN ride

09-04-2011

Sam Waley-Cohen’s gallant attempt to become the first amateur jockey to win both the Gold Cup and the Grand National – and in the same season – came very close today when he finished second on Oscar Time to Ballabriggs, beaten only two and a quarter lengths by Donald McCain’s winner in a gruelling finish.

After a thrilling ride Sam said “It has been a phenomenal season and an honour to be riding in such big races.  The plan was to come with a smooth run through the race.  He has a huge jump and I tried to just get him popping, trying to save ground.  He gave me a phenomenal ride.  The Grand National is a race where if your horse takes to the fences he gives you the best ten minutes of your life.”

Trainer Martin Lynch added:  “Oscar Time didn’t put a foot wrong and neither did Sam.  Maybe next year.”

Congratulations to Sam on a great ride.

Baby Run & Willy T-D enjoy compensation at Aintree

07-04-2011

Willy (left) with elder brother Sam at Cheltenham Festival 2011 Photo credit: AJA

After his heartbreaking unseating at the last in the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham Festival, Baby Run gave Willy Twiston-Davies the thrill of his life at Aintree today when winning the John Smith’s Fox Hunters in fine style.  Always happy in front, Baby Run was well clear when jumping the last and, in spite of a late rally from Boxer Georg, picked up to win easily.  Sam said “This is the best day of my life and it makes up for Cheltenham.  He’s some animal and is such a good jumper – he helped me a lot round there.  I was worried he’d stop on the run-in but he didn’t – this is the best!”

The Willie Mullins trained Boxer Georg was three-quarters of a length back in second.  Patrick Mullins  said “He gave me a brilliant ride.  My father gave me a lot of advice about the fences and it all went to plan apart from the final furlong.  Willie gave him a great ride and I wouldn’t begrudge him that after what happened at Cheltenham.

Nick Sutton finished third on Offshore Account and could not find words to describe the experience.  All horses and jockeys returned unscathed.

The race left a sour note for amateurs with 4 jockeys (Sam Waley-Cohen, Alan Berry, Josh Halley and Declan Queally) handed 4-day bans for remounting and returning to the unsaddling without the horses being examined by a vet, and Tom Weston receiving a 2-day ban as the Stewards considered he failed to ride out Silver Adonis for 6th place, even though the horse was clearly exhausted.