Category: Jockey News
13-01-2021
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today confirmed a number of changes to the upcoming race programme, driven in part by the rise in COVID-19 infections across the UK and the ongoing government restrictions to try and contain the spread of the virus.
These decisions have been taken by the racing industry’s COVID-19 group which includes representatives from racecourses and horsemen.
Amateur riders
Amateur riders will not be permitted to take part in races under the Rules from this Saturday, 16 January, onwards. This is in line with government restrictions around the definition of elite sport and the associated suspension of grassroots sport. Existing races will have their conditions changed to allow for professional riders only until further notice.
Hunter chases
Hunter chases will continue to be programmed but, in line with the restrictions outlined above will be open to professional riders only. This includes conditional riders.
With such a critical Covid-19 situation across the whole of the UK at present, strict compliance of government regulations is required in order for racing to continue. Regrettably, the title of “amateur” prohibits all amateur jockey participation.
The BHA and British racecourses working together from the start of the pandemic have enabled racing’s continuation due to their expertise and under strict covid protocols. We are very grateful to the BHA for their support in enabling experienced National Hunt amateurs to participate until now. It should be noted that no other amateur sports have been allowed during this current lockdown except for Olympic sports.
The preservation of Hunter Chases is good news in these challenging times, being an important part of the amateur National Hunt calendar. With the current cessation of point-to-pointing this is extremely beneficial with such a large number of racehorses currently at a standstill.
We all look forward to the lifting of lockdown and returning to normality as soon as possible.
13-01-2021
Please note the following confirmation from the BHA regarding amateur Flat All-Weather fixtures programmed for Southwell (19th) and Lingfield (29th):
“Following the latest government guidance around the continuation of elite sport during lockdown, it has been necessary to amend the conditions of race number 60285 THE HEED YOUR HUNCH AT BETWAY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) at Southwell on 19 January and 60434 THE PLAY 4 TO SCORE AT BETWAY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) at Lingfield on 29 January.
“Government guidance only permits elite professional sport under these conditions, so these races will revert to professional jockeys only.
“Further announcements regarding future Flat Amateur Jockeys’ races will be made once the restrictions have been reviewed by government in due course.”
07-01-2021
Following the government’s announcement on Monday evening 4th January that we are now in a third National Lockdown with immediate effect from then, here is a reminder of the restrictions previously applied to “elite” sports in earlier lockdowns of 2020.
Racing will continue behind closed doors in England with no spectators and owners subjected to the same restriction as November, which limited attendance to a maximum of 45 on the racecourse at any point. All those attending racing behind closed doors, including participants, are asked to note the government’s latest statements about the risks of virus transmission and ensure they continue to following racing’s protocols.
For amateur jockeys this means:
FLAT RACES: No amateur Flat race is possible during a national lockdown. Unfortunately at this time there is no way around this and therefore amateur races scheduled to take place on the All-Weather cannot go ahead for the time being whilst we are under lockdown.
JUMP RACES:
- Some specific NH bumpers cater for conditional jockeys alongside Category A and B amateur jockeys;
- Special provision has been made for Category A amateur jockeys to be allowed to ride against professionals in specific pro/am NH races providing that they have completed in 10 rides under rules or in point-to-points (or a combination of the two);
- For Category A amateurs without sufficient rides on their record to race ride present, they can ride in the Hands and Heels Series as well as some specific bumpers (see above);
HUNTER CHASES:
- The BHA are currently working with all parties concerned to see a way forward for the programming of Hunter Chases this season. This is despite the cessation of point-to-points as from earlier this week until at least mid-February. A further update will be issued as soon as possible with the Hunter Chase season now imminent.
Your patience and understanding is very much appreciated during these extremely challenging times and huge thanks must go to all those involved with Race Planning at the BHA who are doing their best for us as well as all those who support amateur jockeys at so many racecourses throughout the UK.
The BHA and racecourses will continue to liaise with Government, Public Health England and local Safety Advisory Groups for the well being of us all.
22-12-2020
Another covid update for all amateur jump jockeys to note please (with Scotland moving into COVID LEVEL 4 after Boxing Day):
Following the Government’s announcement over the weekend regarding the addition of Tier 4 and possible further tightening of restrictions, the following Amateur rider races will now be open to Conditional and Amateur Jockeys:
29th December at KELSO: The Amateur Jockeys Association Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 4)
4th January at FAKENHAM: The visittheattheraces.com Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 5)
21-12-2020
The BHA issued the following statement on Saturday evening following the Government’s introduction of Tier 4:
“A government officer has confirmed to the BHA tonight that Tier 4 is equivalent to the restrictions that applied to elite sports in the second national lockdown in November. Racing will continue behind closed doors in Tier 4 in England with no spectators and owners subjected to the same restriction as November, which limit attendance to a maximum of 45 on the course at any point.”Owners attending must comply with the BHA’s protocols as well as national guidance, and satisfy themselves that their travel to, and attendance at, race meetings is legimately linked to their business involvement in British racing. Each individual racecourse will provide information specific to their events which owners are asked to check before attending.”All those attending racing behind closed doors including participants, are asked to note the government’s latest statements about the risks of virus transmission and ensure they continue to follow racing’s protocols.”The BHA and racecourses will continue to liaise with Government, Public Health Ebgland and local Safety Advisory Groups and keep the situation under review. We will share any further relevant details as and when we have them.”
AMATEUR JOCKEYS: PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately, in line with government advice on “elite sport” only being allowed in the newly introduced Tier 4 areas, the amateur race programmed on the All Weather at Kempton on 6th January will not now be permitted. An update on the next race in Tier 4 due to take place at Lingfield on 29th January will be posted as soon as possible, following the review of the tier system in early January.
17-12-2020
Please check out our Flat and Jump amateur races for January to April 2021 now published by the BHA as shown in our RACES section; Hunterchases and bumpers to be added shortly.
27-11-2020
Following the end of national lockdown due from 00:01 on Wednesday 2nd December and the newly revamped Tier system coming into effect at the same time, the BHA understand that amateur racing can go ahead as planned.
Please note: This could be subject to change, but as of today amateur races will be run as planned within the Racing Calendar.
05-11-2020
Please note the following update from the British Horseracing Authority regarding the status of amateur races during the period of current national restrictions which operate from today 5th November until 2nd December:
In line with UK Government guidance, only elite sport can continue during the period of national lockdown, which is due to last from 5th November to 2nd December.
Amateur Jockeys are classified by government as elite athletes when they are on a pathway to professionalism. They race according to the same criteria as apprentices following elite sport protocols.
However, amateur-only races fall outside the government’s criteria. Therefore it has been necessary to revise the amateur rider restrictions to the following races:
FLAT: 2 DECEMBER, LINGFIELD PARK: The amateur rider restriction has been removed and the race will revert to professional riders licensed for Flat Racing only.
JUMPS: 12 NOVEMBER, LUDLOW AND 14 NOVEMBER CHELTENHAM: Both races have been made pro-am races for Conditional Jockeys and Amateur Riders. Any Category “A” amateur jockey must have achieved at least 10 completed rides in point-to-points or 10 completed rides per obstacles under Rules, or a combination of the two, in order to compete.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the BHA for their support and hard work at this very challenging time.
30-08-2020
All amateur races both Flat and NH are now listed on this site.
Please note that most of these races have only been published in the Programme Book at this stage and that race conditions are subject to change.
Updates will appear here.
26-08-2020
Jockeys please note that the following NH races for October have been added to the amateur calendar:
Hurdles: Stratford (ladies pro/am) 17th October + Exeter 20th October
Chases: Ludlow 22nd October + Cheltenham 24th October
