04-10-2016
Congratulations to Jessica Cooley who will never forget the Best Parties Ever Stakes at Windsor last night riding her first winner under Rules there when partnering FRANGARRY for Alan Bailey.
Always handy, FRANGARRY led from just over a furlong from home and responded to Jessica pushing him out to win by 3/4 of a length from Ellie MacKenzie on Dave Evans’s HEAD SPACE with Graham Gilbertson another 3/4 lengths back in 3rd.
Jessica works for Alan Bailey and said “It’s amazing. I can’t get over it. I ride the horse every day. I’ve had one ride for the boss at Hamilton and also four rides in Arab racing. If I can get my weight down I’d like to turn apprentice.”
WELL DONE Jessica!
04-10-2016
Exciting news today for our lady Flat jockeys with the announcement from ARC that a new Pro/Am Ladies Series will be launched in 2017 consisting of 9 races worth at least £100,000! Here is ARC’s Press Release:
- New race series provides opportunity to champion pioneering female jockeys
- ARC working to raise awareness and funds for Cancer Research UK
- During Women’s Sport Week, Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) is delighted to announce the launch of an exciting new race series for female jockeys – The Silk Series.This Silk Series is a new initiative designed to provide female jockeys, both professional and amateur, with the opportunity to participate in races hosted at nine Ladies’ Days at ARC racecourses in 2017.The prize fund for nine races making up The Silk Series will be a minimum of £100,000. The leading female jockey at the end of The Silk Series will be awarded ‘The Tufnell Trophy’ in memory of Meriel Tufnell MBE who was Great Britain’s first Female Champion Jockey in 1972, a feat she matched in 1973 along with also becoming European Female Champion Jockey. In addition to her success on the racecourse she also founded the Lady Jockeys’ Association – the first such body in the world.
The first race will be hosted at Lingfield Park on Friday 12 May 2017 with the final race held on Ladies Day of the St Leger meeting on Thursday 14 September 2017.
As part of hosting The Silk Series ARC is excited to partner with Cancer Research UK to raise money for the charity’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. From the sale of each ticket sold for ARC’s 2017 Ladies Day series, 75 pence will be donated to the charity. Cancer Research UK will have a presence at all nine Ladies’ Days fixtures with racegoers having the opportunity to engage with and support the charity.
The full list of race days is:
Lingfield Park Friday 12 May
Chepstow Friday 14 July
Great Yarmouth Wednesday 19 July
Newcastle Saturday 29 July
Brighton Thursday 10 August
Wolverhampton Friday 18 August
Bath Saturday 19 August
Royal Windsor Saturday 26 August
Doncaster Thursday 14 September
Races will be run over a variety of distances with horses aged three years and over eligible to take part. The exact race conditions are still to be agreed with the British Horseracing Authority (“BHA”) as part of the 2017 race programme.
Jockeys will be awarded points for winning and being placed in each of the nine races. The points system will be as follows:
1st Place: 20 points
2nd Place: 16 points
3rd Place: 12 points
4th Place 8 points
5th Place: 4 points
6th Place: 2 points
If there is a dead heat for first place the two horses will each receive 18 points (based on splitting the points available for first and second) and the third horse to cross the line will receive 12 points.
The Tufnell Trophy will be awarded to the jockey who wins the most points across the nine races. The presentation will take place on the afternoon of 14 September at Doncaster Racecourse.
ARC Group Director of Partnerships, David Leyden Dunbar said: “At ARC we pride ourselves on being creative and we are always seeking new ways to innovate and promote our sport. We believe the creation of The Silk Series will provide an excellent platform for the UK’s very best female jockeys to showcase their talents, while raising funds and awareness for Cancer Research UK. I’m delighted that our partnership is beginning with a commitment to ensure a donation from every ticket sold to our Ladies Days goes directly to the charity.”
Executive Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships at Cancer Research UK, Frances Milner said: “We are delighted that ARC has chosen to support Cancer Research UK through The Silk Series. It is a brilliant opportunity to raise awareness of our work and the money raised will help fund vital research into beating cancer.”
The partnership with Cancer Research UK is particularly poignant given Meriel Tufnell MBE died of cancer aged 53 in October 2002. Wynne Tufnell, Meriel’s brother said: “Meriel would be delighted to know that her name and memory is to be linked with The Silk Series. She was a pioneer in everything she did and she would welcome the new opportunities this initiative provides for female jockeys. As her family we look forward to presenting the winning female jockey with The Tufnell Trophy next September.”
Professional Jockeys Association, Executive Director (Racing) Dale Gibson said: “The PJA welcomes this new series of races for female jockeys and in particular we hope it will provide additional opportunities for young female apprentices to showcase their riding abilities.”
Amateur Jockeys Association of Great Britain (“AJA”) Chief Executive, Sarah Oliver said: “The AJA are most grateful to ARC for their initiative in launching this new Pro-Am Series which we know will be well supported by our members. This is hugely exciting news for lady jockeys to be given more opportunities to showcase their skills. In addition, on behalf of the AJA I would like to thank ARC for their generosity in supporting such an important charity.”
Amateur jockey Hayley Moore said: “This will be a great boost to the opportunities available to female amateur jockeys next year. It is always positive to have a chance to race against professional jockeys for good prize money on racedays with big crowds and The Silk Series promises to deliver all of these things. I very much hope to have the chance to ride in several of the races and even have a go at competing for The Tufnell Trophy.”
27-09-2016
Ex-amateur now turned professional Flat and National Hunt jockey Alice Mills, 29, has been shortlisted to receive the coveted Women of the Future Sport Award sponsored by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival.
This will be the first time that British horseracing has received representation at the awards which, now in its eleventh year, recognises and celebrates the achievements of the UK’s pipeline of young female talent.
The 2014 runner-up Fegentri World Champion impressed the committee in the initial judging stages and will now go head-to-head against four other sporting stars who have been selected for their exceptional talent and standout achievements within their respective careers; Olympic diver Sarah Barrow, Paralympic archer Danielle Brown, ice skater Penny Coomes and para dressage rider Emma Douglas.
Prior to the awards ceremony which takes place at the prestigious London Hilton, Park Lane on Wednesday, 16 November, Mills will be invited to meet with the judges of her category for a short interview on Friday, 14 October before the winner is decided.
Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival commented, “On behalf of our patron HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, I would like to congratulate the lady jockeys who were put forward with Alice for initial selection; Page Fuller, Joanna Mason, Becky Smith and Catherine Walton. We are so proud of their achievements; these ladies are all winners.
‘The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival’s sponsorship of the Women of the Future Sport Award reflects our continued ambition to encourage and support women of all ages and backgrounds not only in horseracing but across the entire sports spectrum under the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak umbrella. We would like to wish Alice and the remaining finalists the best of luck and look forward to the awards ceremony in November.”
Sarah Oliver, Chief Executive of the Amateur Jockeys Association of Great Britain commented, “I am delighted that Alice has been selected for the next stage of the Women of the Future Awards, particularly when she made such a success of her career as an amateur jockey before turning professional.
‘Alice is already looking forward to riding in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, 13 November having won her place in the finale of the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship after winning in Bahrain earlier this year. That win was Alice’s first ride back from a lay-off through injury and is typical of Alice’s fearlessness and commitment to her chosen career, always pushing herself to extreme levels of fitness and success.
‘I am so proud that Alice will be representing our lady jockeys at the Women of the Future Awards and special thanks to the Arabian Racing Organisation who has played a pivotal role in the nomination process.”
Mills said of her selection, “I am beyond thrilled to be nominated for such a prestigious award and it means a great deal to be representing both British and international horseracing for the first time.
‘It is a privilege to be able to earn a living doing something you love but I want more people, and especially girls who have previously been encouraged to look for alternative more suitable options, to see becoming a jockey as an achievable goal and rewarding career choice.
‘I’d like to thank the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival and Lara Sawaya for helping women jockeys all over the world to overcome these barriers.”
To view the full list of the Women of the Future Awards category finalists please visit www.womenofthefuture.co.uk . The winner will be announced on Wednesday, 16 November 2016 at the London Hilton, Park Lane.
26-09-2016
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2016 Annual General meeting of the AJA will be held on Monday 10 October 2016 at 12:00 noon at The Lodge, The Queens Arms Hotel, East Garston, Nr Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 7ET when the following ordinary business will be considered:
to receive apologies for absence
to consider and if thought fit to approve and confirm the Minutes of the previous AGM and to authorise the President to sign them
3 to receive and consider the report of the directors
4 to receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive
5 to receive and consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution adopting the accounts for twelve months ending 31 December 2015. The accounts are now completed and copies will be available at the AGM. Alternatively, on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope, copies will be sent to members on written request
to consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution electing directors.
(a) Philip Pritchard has as from the date of the AGM resigned his office as director.
(b) Philip Pritchard has as from the date of the AGM resigned his office as President.
(c) The following director is appointed as President:
Bob Davies
(d) The following director retires at the AGM in accordance with Regulations 26.1 and 26.2 and offers herself for re-election: Anthea Morshead (nominated by Richard Dunwoody and seconded by Bob Davies.) Should any other person wish to stand for election as a director he or she is referred to the provisions of regulation 27.
to re-appoint Dr L A Cotterill as auditors and to authorise the directors to fix their
remuneration
Dated: 23 September 2016
By order of the board
A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the company.
26-09-2016
Ever dreamt of riding round the world famous unique Grand National course? A truly unique opportunity for one person to experience riding the course, bypassing the fences, in the company of Sam Waley-Cohen, the amateur jockey who has the best winning record of any jockey over the course since 1945. So far Sam has won six races and been placed seven times including three times in the Grand National itself. Hear first hand the thoughts and strategies of how to win the most famous jump races in the world. This is truly a one off that will never be offered again.
Aintree is the birthplace of the IJF, started by John Lawrence (later Lord Oaksey) after jockey Paddy Farrell suffered a career-ending fall in the 1964 Grand National just four months after former champion Tim Brookshaw career had been ended by injury.
Sam, who is a Trustee of the IJF, intends to accompany you on Long Run, assuming all is well, on whom he won the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
After riding round the Grand National course, Rose Paterson, the Chairman of Aintree, has invited two of you to lunch and racing in the Jockey Club box with badges and car pass included.
To take place before racing on Thursday 6th April 2017, the first day of The Randox Health Grand National Meeting.
No children under 16 years old. A horse will not be provided and must be fully vaccinated.
This unique event is being offered at the Auction at Aintree on 23rd October at the Countryside Alliance lunch. It is also possible to bid on-line or by telephone. The proceeds of this Lot will be divided between the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Countryside Alliance.
26-09-2016
An exciting new addition to the amateur racing calendar has been added by kind agreement with the BHA and Kelso Racecourse.
On Thursday 29th December Kelso Racecourse will host the AJA Handicap Hurdle over 2m 6f (for 4 year olds upwards rated 0-115) with a total prize fund of £6,000 added including a fourth prize.
We are most grateful for this new race to look forward to. Come and enjoy a bit of pre-Hogmanay racing in Scotland!
22-09-2016
In 2005 the Women of the Future Awards was founded to recognise and celebrate successful young women aged 35 or under from a variety of backgrounds who reside in Great Britain.
It has been announced that thanks to the generous agreement of the Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Lara Sawaya, the HH Sheikh Mansoor Racing Festival will for the first time sponsor the Sport category of the Women of the Future Awards. As a result, 2016’s nominees will includes a selection of lady jockeys who have shown talent and overcome significant challenges in their working lives.
“The HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival champions Arabian racing in the UK and our British-based sponsorships form an integral part of our global promotion of the sport and its athletes,” commented Lara Sawaya. “Our extensive programme of races aims to support the development of young jockeys of all abilities and gender. The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship provides new challenges to both male and female Apprentice riders which helps to support and develop their careers, while the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship is dedicated solely to female jockeys and offers a highly competitive race platform together with training, mentorship and professional guidance under the directives of our patron HH Sheikh Mansoor.
We are proud to align the Festival with such a prestigious awards ceremony and roster of sponsors, and wish our nominees the best of luck in the initial judging stages.”
Many thanks to Lara Sawaya for this fantastic opportunity to promote our lady jockeys, all of whom have excelled when riding in the HH Sheikh Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship. We are all most grateful to Lara Sawaya in approving nominations:
Page Fuller (2015 Champion ARO Lady Rider) who WON in Belgium 2015 when representing GB in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship;
Joanna Mason (2016 Champion ARO Lady Rider) who was only just beaten in the smallest of margins in a three-way photo finish this year when representing GB in Texas in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship on her first ride back after a back operation following injury;
Alice Mills (ex-amateur now professional) who WON in Bahrain this year when representing GB in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship, again a first ride back after being on the sidelines through injury;
Becky Smith who WON in Texas 2015 in her first ride back after a long lay-off from injury in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship
and Catherine Walton who WON in Belgium 2016 in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship when riding an Arabian horse for the first time.
Huge congratulations to all of the nominees of whom we are proud and we wish them all the very best of luck! We would also like to thank ARO’s Genny Haynes team for all of their help and support throughout the Arabian racing season.
21-09-2016
Congratulations to Gary Beaumont on a great WIN today when riding against professionals at Perth, partnering the front running 12 year old CLAUDE CARTER in the PKAVS charity hurdle for Alistair Whillans.
Having made all, CLAUDE CARTER kept on strongly all the way to the line to win by 4 lengths. This was Gary’s second win aboard CLAUDE CARTER, having enjoyed his first career win over hurdles with him at Market Rasen in August, winning that day by a head! What a great partnership. Well done to winning connections!
21-09-2016
Congratulations to Catherine Walton on winning Beverley’s last race for 2016 yesterday when she enjoyed her 3rd win of the season aboard LEAN ON PETE for Ollie Pears.
Receiving much praise from TV coverage for her expert handling of crossing from Stall 13 to the inside rail early on to take a leading position, the partnership made all and despite the efforts of Emily Bullock on RUBIS who tracked them ahead of the field, LEAN ON PETE kept finding more to win by 2 lengths from RUBIS with Gary Beaumont and GALILEE CHAPEL a neck back in 3rd.
Well done Catherine and winning connections!
18-09-2016
Congratulations to John Dawson on winning today at Uttoxeter when riding VIC’S LAST STAND for Keith Reveley against pros in the Sentinel Green ‘Un Handicap Hurdle.
Prominent in the latter stages of the race but with the leading QUEBEC and Harry Bannister in his sights, John managed to get up on the line in spite of having to kick his foot out of an iron when his tack started to slip dramatically (see pic)! He won by a head to make it a hat trick with VIC’S LAST STAND and now leads the Gentlemen jump jockeys championship tables for the season with 4 wins. Well done John!
