Will amateur jockeys please note that plans are underway at the BHA for rules on safety equipment (helmets and body protectors) to be updated in 2024. Details will follow as soon as they are available but in the meantime all body protectors will have to be Racesafe’s RaceMotion 2.
Due to the costs involved, we are most grateful to the Injured Jockeys Fund who have kindly agreed to help with the purchase of one body protector per amateur jockey by offering a contribution of 50% based on the purchase price of £260.
To receive your claim form please e-mail jockeys@ijf.org.uk
Please will all jockeys note that going forward the points system for the All-Weather Championship will be scrapped. Only winning rides will count towards the championship, thus ensuring that the most number of winners ridden in the season will be reflected by the title holder. In the event of a tie, a countback will be used whereby the jockey with the most placed rides in addition to the most winners will be declared the champion.
Many of you are familiar with FEGENTRI which gives opportunities to amateur jockeys to enjoy race riding abroad. All travel expenses are met by the AJA and the host countries provide accommodation.
Fegentri rules now allow up to 3 of both gentleman and lady riders to represent their country and take part in the LONGINES FEGENTRI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR LADY RIDERS and the LONGINES FEGENTRI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR GENTLEMEN RIDERS. In addition there is a jump element of Fegentri – The Gentlemen’s League – which gives a few opportunities to both Gentleman and lady riders to ride over obstacles.
A main representative of each flat racing trio will be selected to compete for the title of World Champion and be solely invited if within the top rankings from 1st October until the year end.
The 2024 Fegentri General Assembly will be held in Kilkenny, Ireland on Saturday 17th February. Publication of this year’s calendar is currently awaited.
Applications are invited from amateur jockeys to take part and represent the UK abroad.
Jockeys must have ridden a minimum of 5 winners (preferably under rules but can include point-to-points) with ladies able to ride easily at 58 kg (9 stone) and gentlemen ideally at 62 kg (under 10 stone ie 9 stone 11 lbs).
Please request and return an application form by e-mail by 26th January to sph.oliver@icloud.com if you would like to apply. (This is also available on our Facebook page.) Please don’t hesitate to e-mail through any queries in the meantime. You can also visit the FEGENTRI website at https://www.fegentri.com
Please remember to contact BHA Licensing if you should ride a winner abroad, including Ireland, so that your tally of wins is kept up to date at both the BHA and Weatherbys. This is absolutely vital to make sure that you claim the correct allowance. Individual race conditions should always be checked as they can differ from the usual Rules which state:
Amateurs v professionals:
Claim 7 lbs up to 20 wins
Claim 5 lbs up to 40 wins
Claim 3 lbs up to 75 wins
Amateurs v amateurs (including Hunterchases):
Claim 7 lbs up to 5 wins
Claim 5 lbs up to 10 wins
Claim 3 lbs up to 20 wins
All amateur jockeys will have a received a letter with their riding permit confirming the number of wins recorded at the BHA and asking you to contact Licensing if your records are incorrect.
Licensing can be contacted via the BHA on 0207 152 0000 or e-mail licensing@britishhorseracing.com
CRYSTAL CASQUE (Jo Supple) beats DOUBLE TIME (right) in The LK Bennett Lady Amateur Jockeys Handicap
Ascot 8 Sep 2023 – Pic Steven Cargill / Racingfotos.com
Those of us familiar with Jo Supple were amused to see her described as inexperienced in Friday’s Racing Post considering she has 616 point-to-point rides to her name along with 82 winners as well as 9 successes in hunter chases, but to be fair this was only Jo’s second winner on the Flat in the last five years.
This was the inaugural running of the LK Bennett Lady Amateur Jockeys Handicap over a mile, and with a field of 11 going to post in 30 degree heat it appeared to be a very open race. Jo, who works for trainer Rod Millman, gave CRYSTAL CASQUE time to settle and get into a rhythm. Ultimately and with perfect timing they stormed home under Jo’s strong driving to score by half a length, snatching victory from Megan Jordan and Double Time in the final strides.
Jo drove the box to the races and after the race was interviewed by Hayley Moore (herself a dual winner of this race) and said “The only other winner I’ve ridden for Rod I drove to the races as well, so we might have to make a habit of it. Every winner means a lot because you know everything that goes into them. When it’s part of the team you work for it’s extra special. The only time I’ve ridden here before was in a hunter chase in 2010 on a horse called Door. He was tiny and the fences were huge, but we got round!”
Many congratulations to triathlete Jo and to all the Millman team on a great victory. Huge thanks to our new sponsors LK Bennett for they support and many thanks to the Ascot Executive for their loyalty since the first running of this race back in 1973 when sponsored by de Beers.
With the increased emphasis on the best management of concussion and the litigation that we are seeing in football and rugby, which threaten the nature of those sports, the BHA are reinforcing the protocols in racing. In practical terms the aim is to ensure what is done most of the time is happening all the time.
Concussion screening needs to be formally undertaken in a quiet place once the faller’s heart rate approaches normal. As such it is difficult to do it trackside and the emphasis is to undertake it in the JMR or Medical Area on a Point-to-Point Course. All doctors have received the attached guidance to remind them of the policy.
Jockeys therefore should automatically go to the JMR/Medical Area on return to the Weighing Room complex, even if they have already been seen on the racecourse, where concussion screening will be carried out. Scales are aware of this requirement. The rapid screen is a series of racing specific questions about winners of major races (Flat or Jump), questions about the race day (horse ridden, race type, jockeys racing that day) and a heel to toe balance test. It is worth pointing out that on occasion other factors may lead to a diagnosis of concussion even when the screen is negative. Jump Jockeys are familiar with the screening process which has been common practice at Cheltenham and Aintree for some years.
Please could you therefore be reminded:
– Please automatically go and see the doctor/nurse on return to the weighing room following a fall even if already seen on the racecourse – Don’t expect the doctor to come to the Changing Room to find you – Expect to be asked about the winners of major races and questions about the raceday you are at – Expect to do a heel to toe balance test – If you are seen and seem ok but later start to feel unwell go back to the medical room – If your fall was heavy you may be asked to return later for a further assessment – If any of your colleagues fall and don’t seem right encourage them to see the doctor once again to avoid putting themselves or you at risk of further injury – You cannot be passed to continue riding without being seen for concussion screening following a fall
As in previous years, course walks with Jockey Coaches will be available at the Randox Grand National Festival. Please note, the course walk is MANDATORY for any rider who has not ridden over the Grand National fences more than twice at a Grand National Festival.
The walks will leave the Weighing Room at 10.30am on all three days, or at other times by prior arrangement with the Jockey Coaches. On Thursday this will be Brian Harding, and on Friday and Saturday dual Grand National winning jockey, Carl Llewellyn. Course walks are available to all jockeys who are riding in the Topham and the Grand National and also ANY AMATEUR JOCKEYS WHO ARE RIDING IN THE FOXHUNTERS ON THURSDAY.
Those who are required to walk the course will be notified by the BHA at the declaration stage. Other jockeys are equally welcome, and actively encouraged, to walk the course.
