Month: August 2018
17-08-2018
The in-form Becky Smith, who currently leads the ladies jumps championship and is no slouch in the ladies flat championship with 4 wins already to her name this season, regained the runner-up slot alongside Emily Easterby when enjoying a fine win in the White Rose Saddlery Handicap at Beverley on Thursday afternoon aboard RED CHARMER for Marjorie Fife.
14 went to post for the race over a mile and half a furlong with the running being made by MAKE ON MADAM and reigning lady champion Serena Brotherton. The complexion of the race changed 3 furlongs from home when several of those held up in the rear of the field started to make a move, with multiple gentleman champion Simon Walker aboard VIGEE LE BRUN taking up the lead and going clear. However, their efforts proved futile when headed in the last 100 yards by Becky Smith and RED CHARMER who went on to score by two and a half lengths, with Simon Walker and VIGEE LE BRUN second and reigning gentleman champion Patrick Millman a length and a half third on JOHN CAESAR.
Well done Becky on a great ride and many congratulations to winning connections! The ladies championship has never been more competitive than this season with Serena currently on 6 wins, 1 clear of both Becky and Emily currently on 5 apiece and plenty of races yet to come! Good luck all!
Picture credits: AJA
15-08-2018
The opener at Thirsk on Tuesday evening was the 4th race in this year’s Betfair Novice Riders Series with 8 runners and riders racing over 7 furlongs under the watchful eye of BHA Jockey Coach Russ Garritty.
Many congratulations to Tom Midgley on a great ride on his father’s START TIME making all and running on well inside the final furlong to win by a couple of lengths. Billy Garritty was 2nd on Richard Fahey’s KHELMAN a neck in front of Marcus Haigh on SIZE MATTERS. This was Tom’s first career winner so a day for him never to forget – well done!
Many thanks to our sponsors Betfair for this excellent series and thanks too to Thirsk Executive for their help and support.
The series now moves on to Nottingham this Friday.
14-08-2018
Many congratulations to Joanna Mason on winning At The Races July’s Ride of the Month after her great win by a nose (on the day she enjoyed her first ever double under rules) aboard APHAEA at Wolverhampton for her Grandad Mick Easterby!
A great achievement to be nominated and a huge one to go on and win the award! Well done Jo! 
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13-08-2018
The final race of Sunday’s card at Royal Windsor featured 11 runners for the starsports.bet Handicap over a mile and three and produced the finish of the day!
It’s quite something to enjoy a hat trick, and when a horse 3 times the age of most of his rivals keeps winning its even more special. Many congratulations to Serena Brotherton on a day to remember when enjoying her third win from three rides with Mick Easterby’s 12 year old ITLAAQ. Biding her time, Serena turned for home hugging the inside rail, taking up the lead 3 furlongs out. PARTY ROYAL under David Dunsdon put up a mighty battle inside the final furlong but ITLAAQ would not be denied and won in a photo finish by a head, much to the delight of the crowd.
13-08-2018
More congratulations to Joanna Mason on a great win for trainer cousin Jacqueline Coward when partnering COVIGLIA in the pro/am ladies race at Ayr on Saturday!
7 lady amateurs made up the 9 runner field with Carol Bartley making the running at a steady pace on STEELRIVER until headed a furlong out where Jo and COVIGLIA took up the lead to hold on well and score by half a length from LUCKY VIOLET and pro Leanne Ferguson with Catherine Walton and MARKHAN half a length 3rd, a neck in front of Carol Bartley.
Many congratulations to winning connections! 🏆
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12-08-2018
Just 6 runners went to post on Thursday evening for Sandown’s Slug and Lettuce Handicap over a mile and two, with Andrew Balding’s WHITE TURF soon leading on the rain softened ground under Jamie Neild having his first ride.
Serena Brotherton initially restrained Hughie Morrison’s keen COMPTON MILL until taking up the lead after 4 furlongs, and the duo steadily increased the pace to make all and kept on well up the Sandown hill to win by 3/4 of a length from Simon Walker and PACTOLUS who, although challenging, were never to gain the upper hand. Patrick Millman was a neck away third with BIOTIC, nearest at the finish.
Many congratulations to Serena, the only female riding in this race who, after a slow start to the season, is now enjoying a golden spell, with this win taking her into pole position alongside Emily Easterby on 5 wins each.
10-08-2018
Congratulations to reigning champion Patrick Millman on a great victory at Pontefract on Wednesday with FIRST DANCE at 25/1 in the 6 runner field!
Holding his horse up in the early stages of the race, Patrick urged her along two furlongs from home to head FINAL ROCK ridden by Simon Walker in the final furlong. The winning partnership took up the lead inside the last 100 yards to win by a half a length and deny favourite FINAL ROCK a four-timer. Following the race Patrick said “One of the reasons I asked to ride her was so I could pop in and see my brother James who lives in Leeds. Hopefully he’ll take me out in the city and buy me a meal now.”
This was the first win for the mare on turf and over a longer distance than ever previously in the One mile two furlong race and her trainer Tom Tate said “We thought First Dance needed the extra distance and now we’ve found out she stays this far she’ll probably stay further.”
Many congratulations to Patrick and winning connections. Patrick now shares the lead with Dr Misha Voikhansky for the men’s championship.
07-08-2018
The absence of Becky Smith aboard her recent Newbury winner LUV U WHATEVER at Musselburgh on 3rd August proved to be significant when she was booked elsewhere to ride another of her recent winners over hurdles in the form of Stef Keniry’s HERMANUS.
Always prominent, the partnership put on a brave performance to follow up their recent Cartmel win and hit the front of the 14 runner field four from home. A mistake three out saw them headed but under strong driving from Becky the mare rallied to lead a length up at the last and run on to win by just over two lengths from Brian Hughes with Richard Johnson third.
Many congratulations to Becky who is enjoying a fine season both on the flat and over jumps, with this win taking her into the lead for the jump ladies. Many congratulations also to winning connections.
07-08-2018
Serena Brotherton’s success at Ripon in the Ladies Northern Derby on 21st June with Mick Easterby’s 12 year old ITLAAQ was repeated when the partnership reappeared at Musselburgh on 3rd August for the mixed amateur race over a mile and five.
Always handily placed before hitting the front 2 furlongs from home, ITLAAQ stayed on well to win strongly just over 2 lengths clear of Emily Easterby and DUKE OF YORKSHIRE with LUV U WHATEVER and Billy Garritty a neck third.
Many congratulations to Serena on victory with this game old warrior who was appearing on the racecourse for the 79th time in his career! First time blinkers had revitalised him at Ripon and the partnership have clearly formed a winning bond. Many congratulations to winning connections!
Significantly this win takes Serena into runner-up spot alongside Becky Smith for the ladies championship with Emily Easterby currently in pole position on 5 wins.
07-08-2018
BETFAIR SERIES:
18th July: Catterick Bridge
8th October: Royal Windsor
Attention all novice amateur riders: Important update:
- Due to circumstances beyond our control, the following race at ROYAL WINDSOR has been re-scheduled within the Racing Calendar:
SUNDAY 12TH AUGUST: ROYAL WINDSOR: now a mixed amateur riders race;
BETFAIR novice riders’ date = 8TH OCTOBER which will be the final in this year’s series.
- More BETFAIR updates and good news for NOVICE RIDERS:
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Betfair race originally planned for CARLISLE on 30th August will now remain a novice riders race but not carry Betfair sponsorship. The same race conditions remain and a Jockey Coach will be in attendance but this race will not count towards the Betfair Series.
The CARLISLE leg of the Betfair Series, the penultimate race in the series, will now take place on Thursday 6th September before the finale at Royal Windsor on Monday 8th October.
We are most grateful to Carlisle Racecourse (and all other Betfair supporting racecourses) for all of their help and support.
Carlisle are now giving us not only a gentlemen’s (an additional fixture) and a ladies race this month, but also two novice riders races. Many thanks to Carlisle Racecourse’s Executive.
The Betfair 8 Race Novice Riders Series now looks like this:
18th July: Catterick Bridge
8th October: Royal Windsor
