Month: April 2017

Page Fuller regains grip on ladies title with first career double at Stratford

25-04-2017

The ladies jump championship is proving to be a thriller with our top girls playing cat and mouse at the head of the leaderboard.Just before leaving for her Maryland trip to the USA, Emma Todd enjoyed a win over fences at Market Rasen with OLIVER’S GOLD for Mark Walford which took her into pole position on 7 wins. However, her lead was to be short-lived as just 6 days later Page Fuller enjoyed a great day at Stratford on Sunday riding her first career double under Rules to regain her hold on the top slot and now leads the girls with a total of 8 wins this season. (Ironically it was at Stratford that Page broke her ankle last August which frustratingly put her out of action for a long 4 months at the start of the season.)

A lucky spare ride on SGT BULL BERRY in the opening 3 mile chase saw Page shake off champion jockey Richard Johnson on the favourite THE LAST BRIDGE to win by 7 lengths. Returning from a 192-day absence, Sgt Bull Berry was always enjoying himself travelling well out in front and the partnership shook off their rivals with a near-perfect display of jumping. It was lucky that Page had arrived early for her only booked ride later in the day to be available for this ride and able to do the weight. Page said “I walked in and the first thing I heard was “You might be needed!”. I had an all-you-can-eat Chinese last night but my weight was good and off we went. He gave me a brilliant ride. He warmed up on the first circuit and if anything I could have done with some company but he jumped amazing. It’s hard to pick up rides and I’m really grateful to get the opportunity. I must also thank my boss Jamie Snowden, without whom none of this would have been possible.”

Warmed up herself now and in winning form, Page continued her afternoon to score with OUR THREE SONS for Jamie Snowden, making all in the 2m handicap hurdle and regaining her lead in the ladies jump tables.

Many congratulations to Page and to winning connections! Page now leads the ladies with 8 wins, Emma Todd on 7, Amie Waugh on 6 and Gina Andrews on 5.

With nearly 7 weeks of the season left before our amateur championship presentations at Stratford on the night of Friday 9th June, watch this space!

Zac Baker gallant 3rd with Benbens in Scottish Grand National

22-04-2017

Congratulations to the only amateur jockey riding in the Scottish Grand National Zac Baker who had a great spin aboard Nigel Twiston-Davies’s BENBENS to finish a gallant 3rd behind stable mate runner-up COGRY!

Well done Zac!

Lewis Stones enjoys first jumping career win at Ludlow

21-04-2017

Many congratulations to Lewis Stones on riding his first jumps winner at Ludlow on Tuesday evening in the AJA Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle.

7 went to post and the field went a good gallop with Lewis biding his time on ANTON DOLIN trained by Mick Mullineaux, happy to settle in midfield. Lewis started to cajole his horse as they turned into the home straight and they went 2nd from two out to take it up on the flat and win by 5 lengths.

Well done Lewis and winning connections!

FullSizeRender.jpg-4 Many thanks to AJA President Bob Davies and all at Ludlow Racecourse for re-scheduling this race which was lost from our winter schedule having featured earlier in the calendar in previous years.

Photo credits: AJA

Would you like to ride in Bratislava at Easter?!

11-04-2017

Do you have jockey plans for Easter weekend? An exciting invitation has just landed for 2 amateur jockeys – either gentlemen and/or lady riders – to ride in Bratislava, Slovakia on Easter Sunday!

The plan is for jockeys to fly out on Easter Saturday to Bratislava and return Monday, racing on the Flat on Sunday over 2000 metres (1m 2f). All flights will be paid for by the AJA.

If you are interested, you do not need to have ridden a winner but must have some race riding experience either on the Flat or jump racing/point-to-pointing/Arab racing and be able to ride at a light weight for men – top weight is 62 kg (9 stone 10 lbs) and bottom weight 57 kg (9 stone). You should also be a member of the AJA.

Please e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com as soon as possible if you would like to be considered, giving your full racing career details.

Many thanks!

James King enjoys fine Aintree Foxhunters success

08-04-2017

Many congratulations to leading amateur jockey of the season James King who enjoyed a fantastic victory at Aintree in the Fox Hunters, going one better than last year’s runner-up slot when again partnering Dineur for trainer Peter Bowen’s son Mickey.

Sadly the pair did not enter the winner’s enclosure as James dismounted after passing the post to ensure the horse’s welfare. Following the race Mickey said “He was quite tired and gave himself a nick. The vets are checking him out but he seems fine. He had a leg two seasons back and when he came here last year he ran second to On The Fringe. Things have gone a lot more smoothly this season and he came out of his run at Chepstow last month really well. We’re delighted with the result and depending on how he recovers he could go to Punchestown at the end of the month. He went there last year but the ground was slower than he wants. So the ground there will be a factor if he’s to travel.”

James said: “Dineur was brilliant. He’s pretty sharp so I wanted him to start quickly. He settled into a nice rhythm and I was always happy where I was. He was a little tired at the finish and I led him to the cooling-down area. He didn’t seem too bad but it was better to be safe than sorry.”

Katie Walsh had what looked like a nasty fall at The Chair from Distime amid initial fears that she had broken her arm. Luckily it transpired that it was only bruised and she was subsequently passed fit to ride Wonderful Charm in the Random Health Grand National.

Well done James on tightening an already firm grip on this season’s amateur men’s jumps championship with this win now taking his total for the season to 15, 7 wins ahead of his nearest rival Richard Patrick.