Category: Jockey News
06-08-2014
Carlisle Racecourse’s annual Ultimate Ladies Night played host to the ladies Fegentri race for the first time ever on Monday with the first race of the evening’s all-ladies 7 race card. With recent sponsorship of Longines secured for this international amateur series, of the 9 runners declared, 7 were drawn for Fegentri riders pictured below: Michelle Blumenauer (Germany), Alice Mills (GB), Annie Yeager (USA), Liz Lalor (Ireland), Nicole Schlatter (Switzerland), Christina Buesa (Spain) and Silja Storen (Norway). (The girls had travelled direct to Carlisle from Deauville where our English rider Alice Mills had a successful weekend finishing 2nd twice in two ladies’ races and our gentleman rider Freddy Tett also finishing 2nd in the gentlemen’s race as well as 3rd in the Fegentri World Cup of Nations.)
Run just over a mile on good ground, Monday night’s race provided a thrilling finish with Spain’s Christina Buesa hanging on by a short head (from non-Fegentri rider Megan Nicholls and HAIL BOLD CHIEF) to give a first career win to MIDNIGHT WARRIOR. Winning trainer Ron Barr said “He’s been a little bit disappointing but is a nice horse who is learning to settle. He’s going the right way.”
The only other non-Fegentri rider Helen Cuthbert finished 3rd with Alice Mills for GB in 4th place to add to her fine tally of points earned over the weekend.
The evening provided some great racing with amateur graduates to the fore, Anna Hesketh enjoying her first career double and Emma Sayer winning the last on old favourite Sergeant Pink. The only other non-professional to enjoy success was Irish invader Niamh Fahey with her first career winner aboard family owned and trained Point The Toes. Many congratulations to all winning lady jockeys and above all to Carlisle Racecourse for making this unique evening such a resounding success.
Picture credits: AJA
03-08-2014
The 2nd leg of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship was hosted today by Newbury Racecourse as the first race of the afternoon with GB represented by amateur graduate Jack Gilligan, now apprenticed to Sir Mark Prescott, and Ireland represented by Rob J Fitzpatrick, apprenticed in Yorkshire to Karl Burke. By coincidence Jack rode his first amateur win under Rules here at Newbury exactly 12 months ago.
Robbie had a dream ride turn into a nightmare when, having enjoyed a comfortable win, he weighed in a pound and a half light, and subsequently had the race taken from him. The revised placings saw GB’s apprentice Jack Gilligan promoted to 3rd place and the race awarded to France’s apprentice giving him his first ever career win.
The series now moves on to Germany for the 3rd leg in Baden Baden on 7th September. Many congratulations to all winning connections.
The amateur race immediately followed to open the afternoon’s thoroughbred racing and was won by Ella Smith riding VICTOR’S BET for her Epsom based trainer father Ralph. This was Ella’s second career victory; well done Ella!
30-07-2014
The 3rd leg of the Betfair Novice Amateur Riders series took place today at Redcar and an exciting finish ensued, with Page Fuller chasing home Harry Stock and SKY CROSSING for Tom Tate who won comfortably, giving Harry his 3rd win in a week (!) and his first Flat career winning ride.
Many congratulations to winning connections and especially to Harry on a fantastic week’s work. The Betfair series now moves on to Royal Windsor on Sunday 10th August.
Click here for a replay of the closing stages of the race: http://www.chroma.premiumtv.co.uk/streaming/watch/RacingUKFlashVOD/partnerId_166/videoFileId_14264293/clipId_2417043/index.html
29-07-2014
Many congratulations to Jodie Hughes who has already enjoyed a spectacular point-to-point season this year, which provided compensation for her long layoff much of the last two seasons following shattering her wrist in a race fall.
She is now in flying form and in her own words enjoyed “the best day of her life” today when giving Angela Clarke her first training career win with PANACHE at Worcester riding against professionals over hurdles and winning at 100-1!
With AP in 3rd, the win felt extra special for Jodie and she even managed a selfie with the beaten champion in the Weighing Room! Well done Jodie!
14-07-2014
If you have a planned ride in Ireland, please be aware that the ONLY helmet pattern approved by the Stewards of Governing Bodies of The Irish Turf Club is: N1384:1997/PAS015:2011
07-07-2014
The second of this year’s Fegentri World Cup of Nations races took place at Maisons-Laffitte yesterday with Tom Hamilton and Page Fuller representing Team Great Britain.
Tom led the field in the early stages but TUCKER’S LAW dropped away whilst Page weaved LIVELY INDIAN through the field to eventually join and contest France’s two front running jockeys Edouard Monfort and Delphine Garcia-Dubois.
Lively Indian responded to Page’s determined drive and went on to score comfortably for GB.
Many congratulations to Page on not only her first winner abroad but also her first flat winning ride!
The next race in the World Cup of Nations series takes place in Deauville on 3rd August followed by Berlin on 20th September. If you would like to ride abroad and represent Great Britain please download applicationformfegentri2014.pdf and return to the AJA immediately.
25-06-2014
Many congratulations to Hugo Hunt who, in only his second ride of his career, enjoyed his first winning ride today at Salisbury riding PERFECT MISSION for Andrew Balding. Making a simple task of the race, Hugo made all to score stylishly with his mount staying on well to win by half a length from Graham Carson and HAIL PROMENADER.
24-06-2014
Many thanks indeed to Mangan and Webb Saddlers of Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire, who are very kindly offering a 10% discount to all AJA members.
17-06-2014
A reminder to all amateur jockeys that current permits expire on 30th June. If you would like to renew your amateur licence, you can now make an online application via the following link: http://www.britishhorseracing.com/resources/licensing/amateur.asp
Remember: Baseline concussion tests are required for all amateurs when first applying for an amateur licence. Thereafter a test is required every 5 years unless the rider has more than 25 rides per year or suffers multiple concussions within the previous year before renewing.
15-06-2014
A thrilling Queen Mother’s Cup was enjoyed on Saturday with Europe’s richest lady amateur riders’ race taking place at York featuring three previous winners in Crackentorp (twice) and Nanton. Neither of these featured in the final stages however as the always handily placed PEARL CASTLE travelled well to hit the front, chased by Katie Walsh and SAPTAPADI. However, Pearl Castle was able to dig in well to stay on by a length and give Serena Brotherton her York hat trick, having won this race in 1999 with Flower O’Cannie (Serena’s first ever Flat winner) and with Sporting Gesture in 2003.
Trainer John Quinn said “Experience was pivotal and the first 2 furlongs was the most important part. Serena rode him very well and I can see him turning up in some mile and a half handicaps.” Serena was rewarded with the traditional prize of her own weight in champagne kindly sponsored by GH Mumm and said “Winning this race all those years ago was special, and this is special.” Many congratulations to all winning connections.
