Category: Jockey News
22-02-2016
A memorable afternoon was enjoyed at Carlisle today when John Dixon, riding PISTOL for his trainer father John, defied a 14 lbs penalty earned only 12 days ago also at Carlisle when the winning partnership had scored by 26 lengths! Their determined front-running tactics paid dividends , successfully repelling the final flight challenge of odds-on favourite Maxie T to prevail by a length and a quarter. His trainer said “He’s been showing form all of the time and he loves this place. I put him in a better race to keep his weight down on this ground.”
PISTOL is owned by John’s mother Sheila and was led up by his two sisters who cheered on his exciting success in the Watch Racing UK Handicap Hurdle. “My mother Ella was the only one of us who missed it and she is 94! She’ll be the only one who’s backed him.” said John senior. “We have been at it a long time. My late father (also John) was a trainer and Carlisle was his lucky course. He still holds the record here for 8 wins with the same horse – The Last Light.” he added.
Many congratulations to winning connections on a truly remarkable achievement.
19-02-2016
Huge congratulations to Brodie Hampson who fulfilled her ambition this afternoon to ride for her father and make her first ride in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup a winning one at Sandown, scoring on JENNYS SURPRISE trained by Fergal O’Brien.
Brodie looked well beaten turning into the home straight but the pair kept finding and rallied on the long run up the hill. Still five lengths down jumping the last, Brodie kept driving and the horse responded to her urgings to draw clear in the final stages.
This was an emotional and unforgettable victory for all connections with Brodie’s father Mark Hampson unwell. Mr Hampson served in 47 Regiment Royal Artillery for 23 years which allowed his daughter to participate.
Very many congratulations to winning connections on such a great day.
07-02-2016
Huge congratulations to South Yorkshire’s Ryan Winks who enjoyed the biggest success of his career to date when winning the tote exacta Scottish Champion Chase today with CHESTNUT BEN for his trainer father Peter.
Got the Nac led the field at a furious gallop but as they entered the final straight his race was run and Chestnut Ben tracked The Grey Taylor. At this crucial stage in the race Ryan grabbed the rail on the 11-year-old and kept driving the horse to the line to score by 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Yorkist.
Ryan performed a flying dismount and, when Derek Thompson learned in his post-race interview that Ryan was a professional singer, asked Ryan to give the crowd a song.! Ryan happily obliged and give the crowd a rendition of “We Are The Champions”. “This is a big day” said Ryan. “It’s Scotland’s Champion Chase on Cheltenham Trials Day and we’ve won, I can’t believe it.”
Trainer Peter added “He’s in the form of his life, I knew he was. He ran well at Doncaster the other day but was a bit out of his depth – he still had horses rated in the 130s behind him, though. He wants a bit further than this really, but I could see there were plenty of front-runners who might set it up for him. This win means the world to a stable like ours, it’s our biggest win by a long way.”
Many congratulations to all winning connections!
26-01-2016
Many congratulations to Amie Waugh on a great ride today at Wetherby when partnering 12 year old NEWYEARSRESOLUTION (who was 3 lbs out of the handicap) for her trainer father Simon, relentlessly galloping through the heavy ground to win with ease. Initially held up, NEWYEARSRESOLUTION took a keen hold and made steady headway to lead after the 5th, staying on relentlessly from 3 out and drawing clear to win by 5 lengths.
Well done Amie!
23-01-2016
Many congratulations to 18 year old Hugo Hunt who enjoyed a dream start to his jump jockey career when winning the inaugural running of the Thames Materials Amateur Riders Handicap Chase at Ascot this afternoon with Johnny Og. This was Hugo’s first ride ever over fences but despite his relative inexperience the teenage jockey made the ride a wise one kicking his mount into a clear advantage before they turned into the straight. Now attached to Nicky Henderson’s for the past two months, Hugo previously rode for Andrew Balding and has enjoyed success under rules on the Flat.
Winning trainer Martin Keighley said “Nicky said he was a cracking little rider that just lacks experience. He promised me he would do the job and he has. He has ridden to orders as I said “If you can’t make it, sit handy and not to worry about pressing on early as he stays further.” He gave him a cracking ride.”
Hugo added “He just jumped and travelled the whole way round and answered my every call. He gets the trip very well and I was not afraid to be positive on him. It is what you always want to be doing riding around tracks like this on horses that travel so well, as it makes the job easier. Its early days still but I couldn’t have hoped for a better start.” Well done Hugo and all winning connections!
Our sincere thanks must go to Martin Clarke of Thames Materials for his generous sponsorship of this race which has provided such a spectacular start to Hugo’s jumping career.
10-01-2016
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2015 Annual General meeting of the AJA will be held on Tuesday 26th January 2016 at 12:00 noon at The Pheasant Inn, Ermin Street, Shefford Woodlands, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 7AA 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
– to receive and consider the report of the directors
– to receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive
– to receive and consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution adopting the accounts for twelve months ending 31 December 2014. 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) The following director retires at the AGM in accordance with Regulations 26.1 and 26.2 and offers himself for re-election: Richard Dunwoody (nominated by Philip Pritchard 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: 10th January 2016
By order of the board
01-12-2015
Many congratulations to leading amateur David Noonan on an amazing November which saw him enjoy 11 winning rides including two doubles in a fortnight, one at Taunton last week and another the week before at Plumpton (below) for Neil Mulholland with ASHCOTT BOY in a thrilling finish.
David’s decision to remain amateur last season to give himself a good grounding whilst attached to David Pipe’s has paid dividends and he has now decided that the time is right for him to turn conditional.
Following his recent successes, David said “Its unbelievable, especially the last few weeks, the rides and winners I’m getting. I can’t ask for more. You can’t beat practice and I’m getting plenty of it. I’d like to think I’ve impressed people over the last year or so and they’re giving me opportunities. For David to have confidence to put me up, I get a lot of confident from that and other trainers are watching. I try to watch as much racing and replays as I can and if I’m riding something I haven’t ridden I try to speak to a jockey who has ridden the horse to have a picture built.
“I suppose getting down to 5 lbs was a first milestone and a great achievement. I’ve spoken to David and my agent Dave Roberts and we feel now is the time to turn conditional.”
We wish David every success in his future professional career. Whilst David awaits his professional licence, he currently holds the leading place in the gentlemen jump jockeys’ amateur championship with an impressive 19 wins so far this amateur season with Stan Sheppard currently runner-up with 7 wins.
30-11-2015
A great partnership which enjoyed three successes last season was victorious again at Plumpton today when Zac Baker and Godfrey Maundrell’s mare TAMBURA won the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle in dramatic style.
Behind in the early stages of the race and seemingly struggling to keep pace with the field, the mare was urged along by Zac to take second position three out. Zac drove her to challenge at the penultimate flight but she wandered and was more than a length down at the last only to lead soon after and keep on resolutely to win by half a length.
Well done to Zac who gave the mare an impressive ride. Standing at 6 foot 1 inch and weighing 10 stone 8 lbs, Zac had to spend 2 hours in the sauna before racing to make the weight. Many congratulations to all winning connections.
18-11-2015
Many congratulations to Lorna Brooke, the sole lady amateur from GB riding in the inaugural running of the Today FM Ladies Handicap Chase victorious with 25/1 outsider MOONLONE LANE.
Leading riders Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry were the star names in the 12 runner field which also included GB conditional Lizzie Kelly. It was the British pair who shared the lead before the home turn but Lizzie Kelly’s mount RIGHTVILLE BOY began to falter when they turned into the straight. Meanwhile the other joint-favourite ON THE SHANNON was being patiently ridden by Katie Walsh but blundered at the final fence. That allowed MOONLONE LANE to go on and score by 3/4 of a length with RIGHTVILLE BOY a further 14 lengths back in third.
Well done Lorna!
18-11-2015
Thanks to the initiative of Peter Roe, General Manager of the home of the Irish Grand National, Fairyhouse Racecourse, today sees the inaugural running of a pro/am ladies chase: The Today FM Ladies Handicap Chase.
Ireland’s leading ladies Katie Walsh, Nina Carberry and Rachael Blackmore are amongst the jockeys taking part in the first all-female chase under Rules to be held in Ireland. GB is represented by amateur Lorna Brooke who rides 20/1 shot Monotone Lane and by conditional Lizzie Kelly.
Peter Roe said “We are delighted to have 12 runners declared for the first all-female chase under rules to be run in Ireland. It has exceeded our expectations. We are looking forward to an exciting race with the best lady jockeys from Ireland and Great Britain.”
Good luck ladies!
