Category: Jockey News
09-10-2014
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today confirmed the details of amendments to starting procedures for Jump races, which will be written into the Rules of Racing and come into effect from Monday 13 October.
The new procedures have now been ratified by both the BHA Board and Rules Committee after a constructive meeting between BHA, Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and Aintree and Cheltenham Racecourses led to a series of proposals for the improvements.
Jamie Stier, Director of Raceday Operations and Regulation for BHA, said:
“The amendments to the procedures are not radical but are intended to provide greater clarity for both starters and jockeys involved in Jump races.
“The procedures have been simplified where possible, which was the aim of all parties involved in the constructive discussions.
“The revised Rules and procedures are being circulated to all riders in advance of Monday, and representatives from BHA and PJA will be at racecourses next week to speak to riders and ensure everyone is aware of the Rules and answer any questions they might have.”
The revised starting procedures are as follows:
• Unless unavoidable, races will not be started with horses coming directly from girthing pens to the start line.
• When girthing is complete, the Starter in charge shall mount the rostrum, even if there is still time to wait before the designated off time.
• When girthed up, horses will walk round on course some distance back from the Start. However, no start will be effected if the runners are too far back. It is envisaged that they will be approximately 25 – 30 yards maximum from the start line.
• There will be no goggles shout or any indication of the time remaining to the designated start time. It is the responsibility of the riders to be prepared, including having their goggles down, for the start.
• When the Starter, who will be at the top of the rostrum, wishes the field to walk forward he will raise his flag to indicate this and also give the normal voice instructions. The Advanced Flag Operator will simultaneously raise their flag which should also be visible to riders.
• Having raised the flag, only the Starter will issue instructions to the riders
• The field must come forward at a walk and no faster than a jig jog.
• The start will be effected by the simultaneous release of the tape and dropping of the flag when the field have approached the Starter in such a way that he is satisfied that the start will be safe and fair.
• Races will not be started if the field line up and commence to move forward before the Starter raises his flag or approach the start at faster than a jig jog before the tape is released and flag lowered.
• If the above happens, the Starter will wave his flag to indicate that the race will not be started and the field must pull up. The Advance Flag Operator will also wave their flag to enable riders furthest away from the Starter to understand that the race will not be started.
• Should the field be unable to pull up, the tape may be released for safety reasons but the Starter will continue to wave his flag and declare a false start which will be reciprocated by the Advanced Flag Operator.
• If the race is not started at the first attempt, the field will regroup at the marker poles and a standing start to the satisfaction of the Starter will be effected by tape and flag. There will not be a further attempt at a walk-in start and runners will not be sent back further than is necessary to regroup at the marker poles.
• Starters will report offending riders to the Stewards.
A two-week bedding in period has been agreed whereby any rider who does not conform to the revised Rules will be reported to the Stewards by the Starter, however the Stewards may not take punitive action against the rider where they believe their actions are not of wilful disregard for the new procedures.
02-10-2014
Many congratulations to 17 year old Toby Wheeler who rode his first career winner in the novice hurdle at Warwick today. To make it an even more memorable day than most, he beat champion jockey Tony McCoy on 1-6 favourite by half a length!
Toby wore a look of disbelief which was also shared by winning trainer Robin Dickin who said “Toby rides well and this is a great day for him. I’ve known him since he was 6 because he’d ride at gymkhana shows with my daughter Harriet. He rode out for me while at school and joined the yard this season.” Toby said “I rode half a dozen pony race winners for Mum and Dad, but I’m still waiting for my first in point-to-points.”
Warwick Racecourse were kindly about to present Toby with a bottle of champagne before realising that he was under age and so changed their gift to a picture frame!
30-09-2014
As posted earlier in April this year, the BHA introduce new skull cap standards from tomorrow, 1st October. This affects all jockeys whether professional or amateur riding on the racecourse and will also apply to jockeys riding in UK point-to-points from 1st April 2015. Also from 1st April 2015 new style body protectors will be mandatory both under Rules and on the UK point-to-point course for all jockeys.
Some shops are short on stock so do not delay in getting yourself equipped to avoid disappointment.
All skull caps will need to comply with the following standards so check your kite marks NOW:
- (BS) EN 1384: 2012
- CSN EN 14572: 2005
- BS EN 14572: 2005
- PAS 015: 2011
- or CSN EN 1384: 2012
We believe that the helmets listed below meet the new standards but please make sure you check this carefully when purchasing a new helmet!
• Champion Vent Air Deluxe
• Champion Euro Deluxe
• Charles Owen APM
• Charles Owen Adventura 2
• Charles Owen Pro 2 Skull
• Charles Owen J3
• KEP Italian Cromo
• GPA Jock Up 1
All skull caps will need to be labelled with the new kite mark and date standards to satisfy the BHA checks!
You will not be able to ride in a helmet without the correct kite mark but the BHA have agreed to a 2 week amnesty on issuing fines for attempting to ride with a skull cap that does not have the new standards.
Please also remember that revised body protector standards come into force from 1st April 2015.
23-09-2014
Many congratulations to both Joanna Mason and Serena Brotherton on their victories at Beverley today. The first division of the Brian and Jason Merrington Memorial saw 16 year old trainer’s daughter Poppy Bridgwater enjoying her first ever ride on ENGAI and take up the lead from 3 furlongs out. A dual then developed when she was headed a furlong from home by Joanna Mason and grandfather Mick Easterby trained TAMAYUZ MAGIC who stayed on well to score by a couple of lengths. Replay http://tinyurl.com/o727lo5
The second division provided a different finish as BROCKFIELD trained by Mel Brittain and ridden by Serena Brotherton scorched home, leading from early in the race and again 3 furlongs out to be pushed out to win by 3 lengths. The significance of this victory was that it saw champion Serena beat her own record of Flat wins in a season by taken this season’s tally to 10. Many congratulations! Replay http://tinyurl.com/otzg7az
19-09-2014
THE ABSOLUTELY UNMISSABLE
AJA NORTHERN DANCE RETURNS!!!
SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER
HOLIDAY INN DARLINGTON A1 SCOTCH CORNER
in support of THE INJURED JOCKEYS FUND
Dance tickets @ £45 each includes champagne reception + 3 course dinner
* Black tie * 7:30 to 1:30 * LIVE music to THE ZOOMS * raffle *
Bed & Breakfast rooms available @ special rates: £67 double or £92 twin – quote AJA
Tables of 10 can be booked via e-mailsph.oliver@btinternet.com or call 01886 884488 or 01933 304778 now!
19-09-2014
The AJA are extremely proud of both this year’s GB representatives in FEGENTRI, ALICE MILLS and FREDDY TETT, who are doing wonderfully well within their respective championships, with Alice in pole position at present for the ladies. However, the general consensus within the AJA is that FEGENTRI no longer fulfils our members’ needs in its current form.
After lengthy discussions over recent years, the decision has been made by the AJA Board of Directors in conjunction with the Committee that the AJA will not be renewing its membership of FEGENTRI at the end of this year. The AJA will therefore become sleeping members of FEGENTRI in 2015 in order to monitor any changes that might hopefully be made in the future and review the situation in due course.
15-09-2014
A 5 furlong two horse race sponsored by Ladbrokes carried out a gallop poll to mirror the Scottish Referendum today at Musselburgh racecourse. With amateur Carol Bartley riding NEIGH THANKS (Midnight Dynamo) in the Better Together silks and Rachael Grant riding YES WE CAN (Black Douglas), both horses were supplied by Renfrewshire trainer Jim Goldie.
Yes We Can stormed to victory in style and it remains to be seen if events on Thursday will mirror the result. History was made at the course as the race represented the first ever simulation of a political contest.
08-09-2014
Its tough at the top and no mean task in getting there, particularly in the Fegentri World Championship with all of the idiosyncrasies that this unique competition brings, and many congratulations go to Alice Mills who has just reached the top of the ladies championship tables.
A winning ride in Baden-Baden, Germany, on Wednesday after a fruitless ride in Ostend on Monday, followed by watching the Fegentri chase from the stands on Tuesday without a ride, rewarded Alice’s patience. This took her to one point from the top of the tables with two rides to look forward to at the weekend in Istanbul.
Unfortunately subsequent changes in the jockey line-up saw Alice’s ride withdrawn on Saturday but she was only just beaten by the German lady representative on Sunday and her 12 points for 2nd place takes her into pole position. How long for remains to be seen, with so much depending on host nations’ draws or their own systems for allocating rides. Just 4 ladies races remain on the calendar (3 in Germany, with the German representative closing in on Alice’s lead) and we wish Alice much luck for the rest of the season. You can follow Alice together with Freddy Tett’s progress at http://www.fegentri.com
25-08-2014
Many congratulations to Ross Birkett successful at Epsom today for Lady Herries aboard BARWICK in the Investec Gentlemen’s Derby.
With torrential rain setting in for the afternoon and a dramatic change in ground to officially heavy, there were 3 non-runners from the original line up of 10. Will Pettis made much of the running on Glennten who got swallowed up when entering the straight, but his front running tactics played into the hands of the winning combination with Ross holding up Barwick for much of the race at the rear of the field.
Ross progressed through the field to lead 2 furlongs out and headed for the stands rail once he hit the front, maintaining his lead to win easily by 10 lengths. Well done to winning connections.
Enjoy the replay here: http://www.chroma.premiumtv.co.uk/streaming/watch/RacingUKFlashVOD/partnerId_166/videoFileId_14322574/clipId_2426769/index.html
24-08-2014
By kind invitation of His Grace the Duke of Richmond, Goodwood hosted an amateur race today in memory of Gay Kindersley. Originally the Richmond-Brissac Trophy and a Fegentri race in recent years, it was good to see 10 horses go to post for a race which remains special in our calendar and no longer has unusual race conditions.
An early fast pace was set with the ultimate winner, VICTOR’S BET, slowly into his stride and virtually tailed off after only 2 furlongs, yet ridden with supreme coolness by Ella Smith whilst held up at the rear of the field. Ultimately his jockey delivered him perfectly in a thrilling dramatic finish with little more than hands and heels to sweep into the lead and win by 1 3/4 lengths from Ross Birkett on AUTOMOTIVE, with Michael Murphy and Brodie Hampson only a short head and a head back in 3rd and 4th respectively.
Trainer Jack Smith said “He’s not a bad buy for £500 from Ascot. I knew him in Spain when he was owned by Victor Chandler, who brought him back after Mijas closed. He had won in Madrid and bad horses don’t win there. He has shown his Newbury win was no fluke and Ella has given him a brilliant ride today, after they went off too fast.” Many congratulations to winning connections.
Picture credits: AJA
