27-09-2018
After lengthy negotiation back in 2010 the BHA kindly agreed to raise the cap of winning rides for ex-conditionals/apprentices reverting to amateur status from 10 to 25 and also remove the 48 month time limit that was then in place.
At that time we automatically assumed that the age restriction would also be lifted, but unfortunately it has taken another 8 years of continual request to see this progress somewhat in that ex-conditionals/apprentices can (as of today) now ride in point-to-points even after retiring as a professional after the age of 25.
Our struggle continues as we request that this same Rule (that has always existed in Ireland where there is no age limit) should also apply under Rules to include Hunter Chases as well as both amateur and NH professional races.
We would welcome hearing from any ex-conditional/apprentice jockey who would benefit from a lifting of the current age restriction of 26 who has not exceeded 25 professional wins.
Please get in touch with Sarah Oliver if this is you at e-mail: sph.oliver@btinternet.com or text 07789 935399.
Many thanks.
26-09-2018
Many congratulations to Becky Smith on tightening her grip on the ladies’ Flat Championship yesterday when winning the last at Beverley with PALINDROME for Marjorie Fife, bringing her season tally to 9, 2 clear of nearest rival Emily Easterby.
Detached by some way in the early stages, Palindrome made steady headway from 3 furlongs out to chase the leaders and switched left inside the final furlong to lead and win by a neck from Nigel Tinkler’s DUTCH COED and Samantha Pugh (having her first ride), with HARD TOFFEE (Serena Brotherton) just over a length 3rd and WHATWOULDYOUKNOW (Amie Waugh) a further 2 lengths 4th.
Many congratulations to winning connections and huge thanks to Beverley Racecourse for their great support of amateur races this and every season.
Picture credits: AJA
24-09-2018
Calendar update: Important: All amateur jockeys!
Please note that Nottingham will this year kindly host both final races of the season for our gentlemen and our lady riders.
Therefore we have changes to races planned as follows:
31st October: Gentlemen riders only: final race of season
7th November: Lady riders only: final race of season
24-09-2018
Every winner is so special to all connections, not least the jockey, and every effort is therefore made to include every win within a championship.
Consequently Carol Bartley‘s win in 2017’s Silk Series on the A/W at Newcastle counted towards the ladies amateur turf championship and similarly this year’s win by Ella Mccain at Wolverhampton is included.
Using the same logic, with our amateur All-Weather Championship involving both sexes riding except for a single race – the gentlemen’s race at Wolverhampton on 9th May – the winning ride here by James Harding aboard HEWOULDWOULDNTHE for Jonathan Portman will count towards the gentlemen’s flat championship.
Any race which have special conditions, such as invitation races or novice riders’ races (barring anyone with more than 3 wins from participating) cannot be counted towards any championship when they are not open for all to take part.
24-09-2018
After a strong entry of 26, somewhat disappointingly only 7 went to post for the inaugural running of the Amateur Cambridgeshire at Newmarket over 1m 1f on the Rowley Mile on Saturday 22nd September thanks to a drying week and good to firm ground, with rain not arriving until the raceday.
This was Cesarewitch Trial Day and also 32Red Newmarket Open Weekend and the wet weather did nothing to dampen the atmosphere, particularly with our own Hayley Moore choosing our race for her part in the annual Commentary Competition in aid of the Open Weekend’s charities which include Racing Welfare.
Participants’ Just Giving fundraising pages are open until Sunday 30th September with the winner – the participant who has raised the most money – to be announced next month. For more information on how to donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/newmarket-racecourses.
Well done champion amateur Simon Walker on success for Sylvester Kirk with BUBBLE AND SQUEAK. Alex Ferguson on TENOR made the running until relinquishing the lead to Becky Smith on RED CHARMER 3 furlongs out and a great finish ensuing. Simon Walker and BUBBLE AND SQUEAK headed them inside the final furlong to stay on strongly and win by a length, with RED CHARMER 2nd, Serena Brotherton and Ed Walker’s I KNOW YOUR LIMIT 3rd and Siobhan Doolan 4th with Paul Cole’s ROTHERWICK.
Many congratulations to winning connections and great thanks to Newmarket Executive and sponsors CJ Murfitt Ltd for their support which is greatly appreciated with this exciting new fixture now a welcome addition to our autumn calendar.
17-09-2018
Invitation to all amateur jockeys!
We are holding an AJA committee meeting next Tuesday 25th September at Beverley Racecourse. We are very much look forward to meeting any amateur jockey who might like to introduce themselves to us and air their views and/or concerns.
Please come and find us in the Crusaders Horn Box on the 2nd Floor from 3 pm onwards.
28-08-2018
From 20th to 22nd September Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire Meeting hosts their annual beer festival where local breweries offer their latest flavours but amateur riders’ tastebuds are anticipating something far more intoxicating!
An exciting new addition to the amateur calendar takes place at Newmarket on the final day of the Cambridgeshire Meeting, Saturday 22nd September, alongside three Group races. The Amateur Cambridgeshire (Class 3 Handicap) run over One Mile and One Furlong on the Rowley Mile for both lady and gentleman riders is for three year olds and upwards rated 71-90 (also open to such horses rated 91 and 92). Horses rated 70 and below are also eligible.
Michael Prosser, Director of Racing at Jockey Club Racecourses, said “We are delighted to host the first ever Amateur Riders Cambridgeshire Handicap Stakes on the Rowley Mile on Saturday 22nd September. The new race will be run over the same nine-furlong distance as the Cambridgeshire itself and it will provide a great opportunity for amateur riders – both male and female – to compete on the prestigious Rowley Mile course. It is also a good quality race: a Class 3 contest supported by a strong prize fund of £20,000. With a maximum field of 20, we are anticipating a very competitive first renewal and expect a high level of interest in the event.”
23-08-2018
Congratulations to Jack Andrews on winning the opener at Worcester – the Arctic Spas UK Hot Tubs Steeplechase – with Mercers Court for Neil King on 22nd August!
This was Jack’s second win of the season so a great start for him. Well done Jack!
23-08-2018
Congratulations Pat Millman on winning the Smarkets Betting Exchange Handicap over 6f at Carlisle for Ruth Carr with COSMIC CHATTER on 22nd August.
This was an additional fixture within the gentlemen’s calendar and takes our reigning gentleman champion jockey into a clear lead of this season’s championship with 3 wins. Well done Pat!
22-08-2018
Just 48 hours after enjoying a great win over fences at Southwell and bringing her claim down to 5 lbs, the in-form Aine O’Connor enjoyed a facile win at Newton Abbot on 21st August with Harry Fry’s SEROSEVSKY over hurdles.
Enjoying a nice school around, the partnership eased past the long time leader SPICY FRUITY before the last two flights before going on to win with ease by four and a half lengths. Congratulations Aine!
