The Amateur Jockeys Association is delighted to announce that a charity race in support of HEROS will take place at Newbury Racecourse on Friday 12th August.
The race is to be run over ten furlongs and will feature 12 experienced riders from a diverse demographic.
Applications for entries are now open with each rider expected to raise a minimum sponsorship of £2,500.
For an application form and race conditions, please e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com.
HEROS Charity began in 2006 with a focus on ex-racehorse re-training and re-homing. HEROS now also provides educational training and offers a variety of courses from age 11. With support from The Racing Foundation and many other partners, HEROS is proud of the individual care offered to all horses and learners at HEROS.
For more information on HEROS please go to www.heroscharity.org
Applications for the charity race close on Friday 6th May.
Following the long lay-off of amateur racing due to Covid19 in 2020 through to 2021, Monday 29th March 2021 saw the resumption of grassroot sports and the return of amateur racing was welcomed from that date.
As a consequence, a large number of amateur riders renewed their licences at that time, with those same licences now due to expire.
The BHA’s Licensing Department ask for a minimum of two weeks under the Rules of Racing to consider a renewal application. Out of courtesy, all jockeys are e-mailed by the BHA with a reminder at least four weeks before renewal is due, although it is the jockey’s absolute responsibility to be aware of when their licence expires and to submit a renewal within a reasonable timeframe. (With the use of technology, it would seem obvious to set reminders in mobile phones to avoid any oversight.)
In addition to the administrative work required by Licensing, the BHA Medical Team are also required to clear jockeys’ licences, and with some recent staff changes within that department it is essential that the two-week timeframe is respected.
Jockeys who forget to renew within the required timeframe are asked to take on board their responsibility to apply in future in good time for a renewal, and are respectfully advised that e-mails and phone calls to BHA Licensing only hinder the process whilst time is taken up in responding rather than actually being able to work through processing applications.
Please be assured that the BHA will do all that they can to process all applications as fast as possible. Thank you.
The Amateur Jockeys Association is delighted to announce that a charity race in support of Greatwood will take place at Newbury Racecourse on Thursday 9th June.
The race is to be run over ten furlongs and will feature 12 experienced riders from a diverse demographic. Applications for entries are now open with each rider expected to raise a minimum sponsorship of £2,500.
For an application form and race conditions, please e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com.
Greatwood was the first charity to use former racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with Special Educational Needs. For anyone who wishes to support the charity, please e-mail sasha@greatwoodcharity.org
Mandatory COVID-19 testing for Weighing Room entry is to end earlier than scheduled, following the confirmation of changes to self-isolation rules in England.
Those working in the Weighing Room from today, Thursday 24 February, will no longer be required to present evidence of a negative lateral flow test prior to entry.
The adjustment to racing’s timetable for easing restrictions reflects the reduced business continuity risk to the industry from changes to self-isolation requirements and the downward trend COVID-19 infection data.
Regular self-testing will still be encouraged. Anyone testing positive for the virus will be advised to stay at home, in line with government guidance, until they can demonstrate evidence of negative tests.
Access to the Weighing Room will continue to be restricted to essential personnel, while existing infection control measures within the complex will remain in place for the time being to help minimise the risk of transmission.
While self-isolation rules have changed in England, people living, traveling or working in Scotland and Wales should continue to follow the legal requirement to self-isolate and wear face coverings indoors, as mandated by the Scottish and Welsh Governments.
Commenting on the changes to racing’s plans, BHA Chief Medical Adviser, Dr Jerry Hill, said:
“Throughout the pandemic, we have endeavoured to make evidence-based decisions that protect our people and safeguard the industry against COVID-19-related disruption.
“In recent months, testing for Weighing Room personnel has been a crucial part of this strategy and I’d again like to thank everyone for their continued patience and cooperation.
“Changes to self-isolation rules, together with promising signs in infection data, enable us to bring forward the end to mandatory testing – although testing on a voluntary basis is still recommended.
“As emphasised previously, COVID-19 still exists, so please continue to do what you can to reduce your own risk and prioritise the health and livelihood of others.”
Please will all amateur jockeys note that due to a clash with Amateur races at Chelmsford, the BHA have kindly reprogrammed the two Amateur races at Southwell in February and March as follows:
6f Class 6 (46-65) 4+ Hcap will now be run on February 13th instead of the 11th as previously scheduled.
1m Class 6 (46-55) 4+ Hcap will now be run on March 15th instead of the 17th as previously scheduled.
Many thanks to the BHA and to Southwell Racecourse for their kind co-operation in facilitating this change to maximise opportunities for amateur jockeys on the racecourse.
From Tuesday 11 January, everyone entering the Weighing Room complex on a raceday will be required to present on arrival evidence of a negative Lateral Flow Test (LFT).
As confirmed previously, the intention of racing’s industry COVID-19 Group was to introduce testing at the earliest possible opportunity, with a temporary pause agreed to enable participants to secure a supply of tests.
With reports of improvement in the supply of LFTs, regular testing will come into effect from Tuesday. We will continue to monitor the availability of tests and keep you updated as to any further adjustments to the requirements should they be necessary.
Everyone planning to attend fixtures from Tuesday 11 January should ensure that they:
On arrival show any of the following as evidence of a negative test: Text reporting a negative test; Email reporting a negative test; NHS App COVID Pass Data;
If you test positive, isolate and follow instructions here.
The LFT should be completed on each day of racing before travelling, with Weighing Room attendees required to demonstrate the negative LFT either via the NHS App, or an NHS text message or email address confirming the result. A photograph of a test will not be accepted, nor will the actual test kit.
Any person who does not have a valid negative LFT result will be refused entry to the Weighing Room. LFT kits will not routinely be available on-site, so those planning to enter the Weighing Room are advised to complete the test before departing for the racecourse.
We would also recommend maintaining a small number of unused LFTs in your car as a contingency measure, should you or a colleague arrive at the racecourse without evidence of a negative test.
COVID-19 cases remain high across the country, with positive cases also having been identified within the racing industry and amongst Weighing Room personnel – resulting in self-isolation and absence from work.
Regular testing in racing will add a further layer of protection for our business-critical personnel and protect the health and availability of everyone in the Weighing Room. Vaccination also remains an essential part of the protection against COVID-19 and you can book an appointment here.
Thank you, as ever, for your continued efforts to keep your Weighing Room colleagues safe.
All jockeys are requested to sign up for the Smartbase Vaccination App sent out by e-mail from BHA Medical. This confidential data is critical to help manage contact tracing. The good news is that as soon as numbers of fully vaccinated jockeys are high enough, this will allow relaxation of racecourse restrictions such as face coverings.
There is a VACCINATION CLINIC at CHELMSFORD RACECOURSE tomorrow 14th October for jockeys were a walk-in service is to be used and no appointment needed. This will operate from 1700 hrs to 2100 hrs. The Pfizer vaccine will be used. Please notify Brian.Wakefield@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com if you are attending.
The timescale of jabs is as follows:
1st dose
2nd dose – from FOUR WEEKS after first dose
3rd dose (booster) – over 50s and at least SIX MONTHS after second dose
A celebration of Lorna’s life will be held at Ludlow Racecourse during and immediately after racing on Monday 24th May 2021. Sir Alistair and Lady Susan Brooke invite Lorna’s friends and colleagues to join them in a marquee in the Club Enclosure.
Due to COVID-19 regulations all proposed attendees must book in with Ludlow Racecourse on 01584 856221 no later than Monday 17th May 2021. COVID-19 protocols must be observed.
The AJA have sponsored the 3.50pm Amateur Riders Hurdle Race at the meeting in memory of Lorna.
Lorna was blessed with a vivacious, bubbly personality and her smile always lit up the racecourse wherever she went. Many of us are familiar with Lorna’s presence over many years not only on the racecourse but also point-to-pointing which was Lorna’s passion. Based within the Welsh Borders, Lorna travelled far and wide.
Lorna’s first introduction to race riding abroad took place in 2010 when she accepted the AJA invitation to ride in the Anglo/Irish lady jockeys’ challenge at Limerick for Team GB with Lucy Alexander, Alex Dunn, Joanna Mason and Emma Sayer. Lorna was a gallant 2nd to Alex’s winner that day but the return match held at Newton Abbot in 2011 saw Lorna enjoy her first winner over hurdles aboard Dashing Doc for Evan Williams winning by 9 lengths from Ireland’s Aine O’Connor with Rachael Blackmore 3rd.
One of Lorna’s most memorable wins which she saw as a highlight of her career was in 2011 at the North Shropshire point-to-point when one of her reins snapped whilst riding Kalmo Bay in the Ladies Open. Despite this, she continued to ride with only one rein, the other broken rein flapping whilst she jumped several fences before somehow retrieving it and going on to win the race! Quite some achievement and one that displayed what a superb horsewoman she was.
Lorna was selected again by the AJA to represent Great Britain at Fairyhouse in 2015 where Peter Roe’s initiative of the inaugural Ladies’ Chase enabled her to enjoy the biggest win of her career under rules. She enjoyed a great victory for Paul Stafford aboard Moonlone Lane (winning for the first time) with the placed riders being no less than Katie Walsh (2nd), Lizzie Kelly (3rd) and Rachael Blackmore (4th). Lorna teamed up again with the horse in his next run at Musselburgh riding against professionals to enjoy back-to-back wins.
Lorna was the perfect diplomat for racing and could always be relied upon, with her sunny nature and modest disposition. She represented GB in Arabian racing, riding both in Bahrain and Poland in 2015 as part of the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Series and enjoyed its finale in Abu Dhabi. She also represented GB alongside Jodie Hughes riding in Mauritius in 2018 and again in 2019 when riding on two separate occasions as part of a team of GB lady riders on the flat in Germany. Her unfailing smile allowed Lorna to make friends wherever she went.
In 2011, following the career ending fall sustained by Champion Amateur Isabel Tompsett at Fakenham, Lorna joined forces with fellow amateur jockey Jane Williams to complete a 907 mile cycle ride from John O’Groats to Lands End in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund. Incredibly the pair reached their destination in only 8 and a half days with just two punctures and raised an amazing £25,000 in the process.
Lorna’s thirst for racing was unquenchable; she embodied everything there is to love about jump racing. Lorna enjoyed 17 winners under rules over the last 20 years as well as some 40 point-to-point winners, carrying her mother’s orange and brown colours to victory many times. Her loss is very keenly felt in the weighing room and beyond. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and her very many friends. One thing is for certain and that is that Lorna will never be forgotten.
