Month: January 2018
26-01-2018
A great day for amateurs at Kelso yesterday with the opener, the Amateur Jockeys Association Handicap Hurdle won in fine style by a patiently ridden CRAIG STAR under Abbie Mccain for her father Donald.
On the heavy ground Abbie bided her time to take it up before the last and draw clear on the run-in and win by 5 lengths from long time leader UN GUET APENS and Kit Alexander. Abbie followed her winning ride with a great interview with Gordon Brown and her assessment of the other McCain runners of the afternoon proved to be spot on with the yard enjoying a treble on the day! Well done all.
The feature race of the afternoon, the P&G Allan Catering Novices’ Chase, saw the promising young Irish
🇮🇪amateur Liam Quinlan on ACDC for Chris Grant track the other 2 runners in the race for most of the way, only forging ahead on the run-in to stay on strongly and win by half a length from Brian Hughes and VERY FIRST TIME. Many congratulations!
24-01-2018
Well done Emma Todd on a thriller of a finish in the first at Catterick this afternoon in the Racing to School Novice Hurdle when partnering TEESCOMPONENTS LAD for Gillian Boanas and battling to the line to dead heat with Tim Vaughan’s JAUNTY FLYER and Alan Johns!
It was a great experience for the school children there too who presented the winning jockeys with their prizes.
Congratulations to winning connections.
22-01-2018
Well done🇮🇪 Aine O’Connor on a convincing victory at a foggy Ascot on Saturday when winning the Thames Materials Amateur Riders’ Chase comfortably, taking up the lead four out aboard DRUMCLIFF for Harry Fry.
Aine described this success as “the best buzz I’ve ever had riding a horse. It was excellent.”
Aine recently featured in Bob Bracher’s Q&A in the weekly “Go Pointing” newsletter and having won the ladies hurdle at Ludlow before Christmas she is enjoying a great season.
19-01-2018
It always feels like a bonus for an amateur to enjoy a win against professionals when riding at Ludlow with our jockeys are so well catered for already within Ludlow’s racing calendar.
Well done to Gina Andrews on a great win there yesterday with her regular ride, the grey mare ACTINPIECES.
Cheltenham is possibly now on the agenda after this victory with trainer Pam Sly saying “I’ve one more race at Kempton in mind for her, then we might go for the Kim Muir, as long as she’s not too highly rated.” Many congratulations to Gina and Pam.
Victory in the hunter chase was enjoyed by Lorcan Williams with Paul Nicholls’ VIRAK running in his first race of this kind in his career, his chase form having tailed off last season.
Congratulations to all winning connections.
17-01-2018
Congratulations to Brodie Hampson on a great ride yesterday at Hereford when partnering COUGAR KID for John O’Shea in the myracing.com handicap hurdle.
Holding her horse up until making a move 3 from home, the partnership made steady headway to stay on well and win by 7 lengths.
This was their third success together this season and second as Hereford having won there in November, but yesterday’s performance was the most impressive yet.
Brodie said “It’s shocked me a little just how well he’s won as this was a step up in grade but John has done a great job in keeping him happy. He’s run over any trip and on any ground and as long as he’s happy he’ll try his best for you, but today is the best feeling he’s given me – he was really on his game.”
Well done Brodie and winning connections!
15-01-2018
Diary reminder: AJA AGM (originally planned for Monday 4th December) takes place on Tuesday 6th February to maximise attendances.
The AGM will take place in The Oak Room, The Welcombe Hotel, Warwick Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 0NR at 12 noon and all AJA members are welcome.
ALL AJA members are welcome but please e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com if you plan to attend in order for catering to be booked.
03-01-2018
Are you hoping to ride at this year’s Cheltenham Festival or Aintree but need your Cat B licence?
The 22-26 January Rider Assessment course is virtually full but there are a few spaces on the 12-16 February course.
Please note: This is the LAST CHANCE for applicants to complete Category B training prior to Cheltenham Festival and Aintree. The next course is to be held at the BRS on 14-18 May.
For all queries regarding this please call Henry Bradley at BHA Licensing on 0207 152 0140.
01-01-2018
Any amateur jockeys with a view to turning conditional in the near future should be aware that a Conditional Jockeys Licence Course is taking place from 19th February until 2nd March at the British Racing School. In order to attend, applicants must successfully complete one of the Pre-Assessment days:
- 8 January 2018 at British Racing School
- 10 January 2018 at Northern Racing College
Brand new Conditionals and Category ‘A’ Amateurs who wish to turn Conditional must attend the full two weeks of the Licence Course. Category ‘B’ Amateurs only have to attend the second week of the Course.
After February there will not be another Conditional Course until August 2018! Any Amateurs who are thinking about applying for a Conditional Licence in the next month or two, must submit applications to BHA Licensing as soon as possible!
If you have any queries please call Max Milward on 0207 152 0145.
