03-01-2013
Congratulations to our reigning overall amateur jumps champion Emma Sayer who rode her first winner over jumps in the 2 mile handicap chase today at Ayr on her father’s moody SERGEANT PINK trained by her mother. Working hard to keep her horse in touch but still detached in 4th place halfway around the final bend, Emma drove her horse on relentlessly to pass the front running GLEANN NA NDOCHAIS after the last and win for the first time since 2009. “He was bought to give Emma more experience over fences and he’s done his job today” said Dianne Sayer. “He was tanking along down the back straight but then he dropped the lot. He was only dossing and in the end won quite well.”
Later in the afternoon Fegentri world champion Steven Crawford made his regular trip over from Ireland worthwhile by winning the bumper for his trainer brother with FINE RIGHTLY.
Many congratulations to all winning connections.
03-01-2013
The New Year saw the start of the Fegentri season with gentlemen riders invited to ride in Oman on 1st January on His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s Majesties Day, Oman’s most prestigious racing day of the year. Two invitations were received for gentlemen jockeys and Fegentri representative 2013 Freddie Mitchell was joined by Chris Martin.
Unfortunately Freddie’s horse reared and refused to enter the stalls, but Chris had a great ride and was only just beaten for 3rd place. The lads can be seen in the above photo on the left of the Union Jack and enjoyed an incredible trip.
02-01-2013
Congratulations to Harriet Bethell who rode a beautifully timed race today at Wolverhampton, holding up her mount in the rear until half a mile from home.
Asked to quicken, STORMY MORNING responded immediately to make smooth progress and win by a length for trainer Phil Kirby.
Well done Harriet!
01-01-2013
Congratulations to Clare Twemlow who rode her first winner under rules today in the 3 runner Amateur Chase at Fakenham with EVELLA for Newmarket trainer Neil King, in spite of the horse trying to pull herself up after the last! Neil King said after the race “I am just over the moon for the Racing for Fun Partnership, and for Clare. What a start to the New Year!”
Clare, a chartered accountant and past Finance Director of The British Racing School, won The People’s Race at Aintree in 2008 which kick-started her amateur career and since then she has gone on to enjoy success point-to-pointing and also won the Newmarket Town Plate in 2011. Many congratulations Clare!
01-01-2013
Many congratulations to Lucy Gardner whose New Year could not have started better, riding a double for her trainer mother Susan at their local track Exeter which was appreciated by an applauding record crowd.
STORM ALERT gave Lucy her first win of the afternoon in the novice hurdle named after Billy Williams, father of trainer Ian. Storm Alert used to dive left at every hurdle and try to deposit his jockey. Today however he was excellently handled by his amateur jockey ready for his antics when he swerved slightly at the final flight and responded gamely to win. About an hour later FLYING AWARD followed up with victory in the 3 mile Handicap Chase giving Lucy her double of the day. Her mother looked on in disbelief, saying “Pinch me, pinch me, this can’t be happening!”
Very many congratulations to winning connections on such a great start to the New Year which now gives Lucy a total of 6 wins this season and takes her into the lead for the ladies jump championship, one ahead of current overall reigning amateur jumps champion Emma Sayer.
