Category: Jockey News
07-04-2014
Our FEGENTRI representative 2011 Rachel King, who recently emigrated to work in Australia, was nominated by ARO for the Darley Ride of the Year 2013 and invited by Lara Sawaya to attend the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Darley Awards evening in Hollywood USA on 4th April.
To her delight, Rachel’s long journey was well worthwhile as she won! Many congratulations to Rachel on winning this prestigious award in recognition of her skills in the saddle. Huge thanks also to Lara Sawaya for her fantastic support of lady jockeys worldwide with her global ladies Arabian series which also strongly supports amateur clubs worldwide.
04-04-2014
The first of a 2-day race meeting was enjoyed in Oman today with the gentlemen’s race including GB Fegentri rider Freddy Tett. En route to the racecourse lunch was provided in a bedouin tent in the dessert.
Racing was followed by the Fegentri Gala Dinner in Muscat where Freddie Mitchell, last year’s gentleman representative for Great Britain, received his golden spurs for achieving the Fegentri World Championship for gentlemen.
04-04-2014
The Fegentri 2014 AGM was held in Al Bustan Palace in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, on Thursday 3rd April by kind invitation of Brigadier Abdul Razak Alshahwarzi, Commander of the Royal Cavalry, Oman. An opening ceremony presided over by the Sultan of Oman took place before the AGM when Fegentri President Madame Nathalie Bélinguier announced the recent sponsorship she had negotiated on behalf of Fegentri with Longines with a 5 year term. This sponsorship agreement asks for all host racecourses of Fegentri races worldwide to display Longines/Fegentri banners on-course and for winning horses to wear Longines/Fegentri rugs. 
All board members stood for re-election and with the retirement of France’s Baron Jean de Bretizel, France nominated their new amateur club President, Gérard de Chevigny. In addition Susan Leahy, President of the Irish Qualified Riders, put her name forward. After votes were cast, it was announced that all existing Board members stand (including Sarah Oliver of the AJA) and that Susan Leahy joins the Board for the new 3 year term. Many congratulations to Susan.
The Fegentri General Assembly will be hosted by Norway in 2015 and by Germany in 2016.
03-04-2014
A perfect preparation for Saturday’s Grand National bid with LONG RUN was enjoyed today by Sam Waley-Cohen when his new recruit WARNE carried him to victory in the Fox Hunter’s Chase.
Managing to avoid loose horses for most of the way around, WARNE gave a thrilling display leading from start to finish and passing the post 13 lengths ahead of last year’s winner, 14 year old TARTAN SNOW. Favourite MOSSEY JOE (winner of his last 5 races) finished in third place with his rider Damien Skehan picking up an 11 day whip ban.
This was a third success in this race for Sam, riding a horse purchased recently by his father Robert with three American friends who include Charlie Fenwick, the amateur who won the 1980 Grand National on BEN NEVIS.
Poignantly the victory resulted in the Waley-Cohen family being presented with the trophy that they themselves had presented to Aintree in memory of Sam’s brother. Thomas Waley-Cohen died aged 20 of bone cancer 10 years ago and Sam dedicated his success to him. Sam said “When we won the race with Katarino there was no owner’s trophy so we decided to give something in memory of Thomas. We have been trying to win it back ever since and I am so excited to be here and to have done that. Thomas lives and rides with me the whole time and it’s a great day.”
Downpatrick Trainer Brian Hamilton said that winning connections would probably bypass Punchestown now and aim for the Galway Plate. Many congratulations to them all.
17-02-2014
A nail-biting finish to the Amateur All-Weather Championship at Wolverhampton today was guaranteed with what has now become almost an annual tradition in the form of a battle between Serena Brotherton and Simon Walker for the title. Serena led the tables on 29 points with Simon not far behind on 26. However, after declarations on Saturday, Simon was jocked up to ride both favourites of each division but Serena had only one ride in the first. How drama then unfurled was beyond anyone’s imagination!
Simon duly won the first division for Richard Phillips with Fair Breeze, Serena finishing a length and a half behind in 2nd with Miles of Sunshine. The award of 5 points to Simon and 2 to Serena put them on level points going into the final race of the season, with Serena only able to sit it out in the weighing room and watch Simon ride the favourite. However, Simon was ultimately to be denied any points with Jamie Hamilton winning the 2nd division for James Given with Goldmadchen and Simon finishing 6th. The championship was therefore shared between the two for the first time in its history.
Many congratulations to our newly crowned All-Weather Champions Serena Brotherton and Simon Walker!
Picture credits: AJA
11-02-2014
Many congratulations to old adversaries Serena Brotherton and Simon Walker who continue their ding-dong battle to the line right up to the last race of the All Weather season for amateur jockeys which ends at Wolverhampton next Monday. Over the past few weeks both jockeys, who have regularly featured at the head of the tables in this championship as well as on turf, have fought for the lead position and their current ranking guarantees a thrilling climax to the amateur season:
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Miss Serena Brotherton
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5
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1
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2
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29
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Mr Simon Walker
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5
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–
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1
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26
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Miss Hollie Doyle
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1
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2
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1
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10
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Mr Graham Carson
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1
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1
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1
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8
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Miss Jenny Powell
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1
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1
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1
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8
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Mr Ross Birkett
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1
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1
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–
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7
|
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Mr Phil Collington
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–
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3
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–
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6
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Miss Katie Margarson
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1
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–
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1
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6
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* Nick Slatter
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1
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–
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1
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6
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Miss Harriet Bethell
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1
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–
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–
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5
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Miss Becky Brisbourne
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1
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–
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–
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5
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Miss Laura Dempster
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1
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–
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–
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5
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Miss Michelle Edden
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1
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–
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–
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5
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Mr Will Featherstone
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1
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–
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–
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5
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Miss Rachel King
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1
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–
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–
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5
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01-02-2014
The 2nd race of 2014’s HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Arabian World Championships took place today. Many congratulations to ALYSON DENIEL who enjoyed a winning ride on Conderosa Millennium Silver whilst representing Great Britain in Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia (known locally as “The Heath”).
This was a fantastic achievement for GB! Many congratulations also to UAE representative Anoud Al Suwaldi finishing 2nd in only her 2nd ride and to France’s Blanche de Granvilliers finishing 3rd. It was announced by Lara Sawaya that 2 professional lady jockeys will have rides in each of the races for 2014 alongside amateur ladies.
Many thanks must go to His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and Lara Sawaya for this incredible opportunity given to one of our lady jockeys to represent Great Britain abroad and many thanks also to Team NARA Australia and Caulfield Racecourse for hosting this race. The next race in the series will be for professional lady jockeys only racing on snow in St Moritz on 23rd February, followed by Texas on 8th March when we hope to receive an invitation for another of our lady amateur jockeys to participate.
28-01-2014
Many congratulations to Alex Dunn who enjoyed her first double of her training career at her local racecourse Taunton today with Helium and Come On Annie.
Riding against professionals, Alex had to adopt very different racing tactics to enjoy both successes. Her first win was the result of a battle to the line with runner-up Chesil Beach Boy and she had to work hard in a driving finish to force Helium’s head in front. By contrast, waiting tactics and immense patience allowed Come On Annie to pass her rivals including long time leader Midnight Request.
Alex said “We’ve now had 9 winners in the last year and things are going really well as all 16 boxes at the yard are full. Newmarket trainer Michael Bell is my cousin and I’m desperate to beat one of his in a Flat race one day, although we might struggle to have one good enough for that at the moment.”
Picture credits: AJA
21-01-2014
Thanks to the continued dedication and support of Lara Sawaya, the curtain raiser of 2014’s HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Arabian World Series was held on 17th January at Al Flaij Racecourse Oman where Michelle Edden represented GB. Unfortunately Michelle’s horse only managed to beat two others home but many congratulations to Evanna McCutcheon who won for Ireland. Aly Deniel will represent GB for the next race in the series to be held in Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia on 1st February.
NB: UPDATE TO RIDER’S CRITERIA! All ladies must have had 5 wins and be able to weigh out at 9 stone with body protector!! Any overweight strictly not allowed. Wins can be a combination from Arab racing, rides under Rules (jump and flat) and point-to-pointing. If eligible and wishing to be considered for this series, please complete and return the application form to the AJA as soon as possible: applicationformsheikhafatima2014.pdf
20-01-2014
The AJA are delighted to announce that thanks to kind agreement with 
all AJA members who hold amateur licences are entitled to a 50% discount on the cost of RUK even if they are existing subscribers.
If you wish to take advantage of this offer please e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com for a form to apply.
