Category: Jockey News
15-01-2015
Many congratulations to Alice Mills, who enjoyed an unforgettable victory today and the biggest win of her career when partnering MONKERTY TUNKERTY for owner-trainer Jess Westwood in the Somerset National at Wincanton.
Riding with supreme patience, Alice held her horse up until creeping into the picture and taking up the lead two from home. Monkerty Tunkerty stayed on well to draw clear from the last and be pushed out to win effortlessly by 10 lengths.
This was a particularly impressive performance considering how the 12-year-old horse sustained a career threatening cut to his leg in this same race last year. He was lovingly nursed back to health by devoted Jess Westwood, herself an ex-amateur jockey whose riding career was cruelly cut short by a serious head injury sustained in a point-to-point fall 3 years ago.
Alice said: “Today I just let him travel within himself and he pulled his way to the front. Once he found his stride he was fabulous. Jess has done a brilliant job to bring him back so well after almost a year off. She gets her horses straight and knows Monkerty inside out; she was confident he still had it.”
31-12-2014
It is with great sadness that the AJA announce the death of their Honorary Vice President, legendary amateur rider Bill Shand Kydd, who died on 27th December aged 77. A man who possessed immense charm, great courage and charisma, one of his greatest assets was his unfailing sense of humour.
Bill rode 45 winners under Rules as well as more than 100 point-to-point winners. His rides included winning the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham on FOREMAN in 1973 and he trained BLACK BAIZE to win the Kim Muir in 1971 (ridden by Lord Oaksey, then riding as Mr John Lawrence). Bill also rode in the 1966 Grand National. As a National Hunt breeder he bred HIGH BOARD, the dam of MORLEY STREET and GRANVILLE AGAIN, as well as BROWN WINDSOR, winner of the Whitbread Gold Cup in 1989.
Following a catastrophic injury whilst team chasing in 1995 which left him paralysed from the neck, Bill relished his role as Vice President of the Amateur Jockeys Association and played a very real and active part. In spite of his life changing injuries, he was always upbeat and never had a moment of depression; nothing illustrates more clearly his tremendous strength of character.
Bill also devoted much time and energy to raising vast amounts of money for the charity Spinal Research as well as Spinal Injuries Association. He helped to organise charity races, lunches and dinners, as well as tandem skydiving out of a plane at 12,000 feet. He also participated in the Great North Run no less than 3 times, being pushed around the 13-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields in a special lightweight wheelchair by a team of 4 runners made up of 2 friends, a godson and his son Caspar.
Frustratingly, Bill’s health deteriorated in recent months and he died peacefully at home the day after Boxing Day. His funeral is being held privately and a memorial service is planned in due course with details to follow.
04-12-2014
Many congratulations to Michael Legg who enjoyed success at Wincanton today aboard QUITE BY CHANCE riding for Colin Tizzard in the rewards4racing.com Chase, a qualifying race for the Jockey Club’s Grassroots Jumps Series. Always handy, Michael enjoyed a great jumping performance from his horse in only Quite By Chance’s third time over fences. Congratulations to all winning connections.
04-12-2014
Many congratulations to Jo Mason who enjoyed a winning ride for trainer Anabel Murphy at Wolverhampton on Monday aboard INDIAN SCOUT displaying fine front-running tactics and followed up for the same trainer/owner Ridgeway Racing Club combination with victory at Lingfield less than 48 hours later with CROUCHING HARRY!
02-12-2014
Champions Christmas Dance for the INJURED JOCKEYS FUND
SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2014
CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE GOLD CUP SUITE
BLACK TIE * 7:30-1:30 * MUSIC & DANCING
tickets @ £50 include 3-course dinner
top class raffle
Amateur Champions Awards
TICKET HOTLINE: 01886 884488 or 01933 304778
TABLES OF 10 CAN BE RESERVED – BOOK NOW!
Bookings taken by phone or via e-mail: sph.oliver@btinternet.com
Please post cheques payable to AJA to
Crews Hill House, Alfrick, Worcester. WR6 5HF
HUNTERS LODGE HOTEL CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE
STABLE LADS ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE WALKING DISTANCE FROM GOLD CUP SUITE!! CURRENT TARIFF: SINGLE £35 TWIN £52.50 TRIPLE £70 QUAD £75 PLEASE CALL 01242 513345 TO BOOK.
23-11-2014
Many congratulations to LUCY GARDNER and BREDON HILL LAD (shown after winning at Fontwell last week) winning the first at Exeter today in an incredible finish, giving the partnership back to back wins. Having clattered the second last hurdle and looking held in fourth having hit a flat spot, Lucy managed to stoke up her horse who stayed on dourly to grasp victory as they neared the line and go on to score by 3/4 of a length.
17-11-2014
Many congratulations to Harry Bannister who enjoyed another winner today at Plumpton on their Pompadour Day (with the amateur riders’ hurdle that celebrates the twinning of Plumpton and Pompadour racecourses) for trainer Suzy Smith with LITTLE BOY BORU.
Despite getting squeezed for space three out, the partnership led from two hurdles from home where they took command and went clear from the last, easing down to the line.
Well done Harry, who has now ridden 3 winners from his last 4 rides in the last 5 days!
14-11-2014
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2014 Annual General meeting of the AJA will be held on Friday 28th November at 12:00 noon at 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
- 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 2013. 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: Bob Davies (nominated by Philip Pritchard and seconded by Bill Shand Kydd). 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: 14th November 2014
By order of the board
01-11-2014
22-10-2014
A number of Amateur Riders appear unaware of the recently updated standards for Skull Caps that came into effect from 1 October 2014. To avoid any further problems of Riders turning up to racecourses without the correct standard of Skull Cap, please note the change detailed below and ensure future compliance.
Also detailed below is the updated change to Safety Vest standards, which will have a direct effect on all Amateur Riders riding in races after 1 April 2015.
Skull Caps
From 1 October 2014 all riders must have a Skull Caps meeting either of the following standards: EN 1384: 2012 and/or PAS 015: 2011. If a Skull Cap contains two labels, as long as one of the labels is the most up-to-date standard it will be acceptable. Any Skull Cap that is not labelled or only has an earlier dated standard will not be allowed. Any rider without a Skull Cap meeting either of the standards will not be allowed to ride and will be subject to a BHA fine of £140.
Safety Vests
The updating of Safety Vest standards is being conducted in two stages:
· from 1 October 2014 Safety Vests (other than Level 1) must carry the standard EN 13158: 2009
· from 1 April 2015 all Safety Vests (including Level 1) must carry the standard EN 13158: 2009
Please note that you have on-going responsibility as an Amateur Rider to visit the Rules of Racing website (http://rules.britishhorseracing.com) on a regular basis to ensure that you are up to date with the Rules and any changes since your last ride.
