THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN
03-04-2013
Congratulations to our Fegentri GB representative Emma Sayer who enjoyed success today riding in a ladies Arab race in Oman.
The 20 points earned takes Emma into 2nd place and puts her in a strong position for this season along with our gentleman representative Freddie Mitchell who currently leads the men’s table. Further information can be found at http://www.fegentri.com
15-03-2013
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE INJURED JOCKEYS FUND & THE IRISH TURF CLUB
Dr Adrian McGoldrick, Senior Medical Officer, Irish Turf Club, said at 11.45am: “We can confirm that amateur rider J T McNamara suffered two fractured vertebrae in his neck yesterday.
“He is currently in theatre at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. There will be no further news until tomorrow and we will keep everyone updated. His wife Caroline is with him.”
It has been agreed by Cheltenham Racecourse, the British Horseracing Authority and Jonjo O’Neill that the Injured Jockeys Fund will be responsible for the release of further information as and when appropriate.
01-03-2013
Many congratulations to our Fegentri representatives for 2013, Freddie Mitchell and Emma Sayer, who have both enjoyed winning rides this week in Doha, Qatar! This is the first time that both representatives for Great Britain have won their own races on a Fegentri trip and is an ideal start to the season for them both.
Fresh from his victory recently on the frozen lake in St Moritz, there could be no greater contrast of racing conditions for a jockey to face than the sand track in 25 degree heat in Doha! His ride MAJD AL SHAJAA had little form to give Freddie confidence but managed to stay on strongly in the straight to lead a furlong out and hold on from Germany’s Dennis Schiergen by half a length. Freddie said “I was flat to the boards from the off and got trapped on the rail. I knew there was no way through, so I switched him to the outside and he surprised me by picking off the leaders.” Freddie was joined on the trip by Phil Collington who finished 3rd on the favourite.
Emma rode on both Wednesday and Thursday, tailed off in her first ride but enjoying victory with her second and even went on to win 3rd prize in the best dressed lady competition at the racecourse!
Videos of both races can be viewed here by clicking on the dates 26 & 28 February http://www.qrec.gov.qa/website/home.aspx?MID=6&lang=en
See also Racing Post coverage http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/bloodstock/mr-f-mitchell-qatar-mitchell-to-the-fore-in-fegentri-series/1210900/racingnews/
03-01-2013
Congratulations to our reigning overall amateur jumps champion Emma Sayer who rode her first winner over jumps in the 2 mile handicap chase today at Ayr on her father’s moody SERGEANT PINK trained by her mother. Working hard to keep her horse in touch but still detached in 4th place halfway around the final bend, Emma drove her horse on relentlessly to pass the front running GLEANN NA NDOCHAIS after the last and win for the first time since 2009. “He was bought to give Emma more experience over fences and he’s done his job today” said Dianne Sayer. “He was tanking along down the back straight but then he dropped the lot. He was only dossing and in the end won quite well.”
Later in the afternoon Fegentri world champion Steven Crawford made his regular trip over from Ireland worthwhile by winning the bumper for his trainer brother with FINE RIGHTLY.
Many congratulations to all winning connections.
03-01-2013
The New Year saw the start of the Fegentri season with gentlemen riders invited to ride in Oman on 1st January on His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s Majesties Day, Oman’s most prestigious racing day of the year. Two invitations were received for gentlemen jockeys and Fegentri representative 2013 Freddie Mitchell was joined by Chris Martin.
Unfortunately Freddie’s horse reared and refused to enter the stalls, but Chris had a great ride and was only just beaten for 3rd place. The lads can be seen in the above photo on the left of the Union Jack and enjoyed an incredible trip.
02-01-2013
Congratulations to Harriet Bethell who rode a beautifully timed race today at Wolverhampton, holding up her mount in the rear until half a mile from home.
Asked to quicken, STORMY MORNING responded immediately to make smooth progress and win by a length for trainer Phil Kirby.
Well done Harriet!
01-01-2013
Congratulations to Clare Twemlow who rode her first winner under rules today in the 3 runner Amateur Chase at Fakenham with EVELLA for Newmarket trainer Neil King, in spite of the horse trying to pull herself up after the last! Neil King said after the race “I am just over the moon for the Racing for Fun Partnership, and for Clare. What a start to the New Year!”
Clare, a chartered accountant and past Finance Director of The British Racing School, won The People’s Race at Aintree in 2008 which kick-started her amateur career and since then she has gone on to enjoy success point-to-pointing and also won the Newmarket Town Plate in 2011. Many congratulations Clare!
01-01-2013
Many congratulations to Lucy Gardner whose New Year could not have started better, riding a double for her trainer mother Susan at their local track Exeter which was appreciated by an applauding record crowd.
STORM ALERT gave Lucy her first win of the afternoon in the novice hurdle named after Billy Williams, father of trainer Ian. Storm Alert used to dive left at every hurdle and try to deposit his jockey. Today however he was excellently handled by his amateur jockey ready for his antics when he swerved slightly at the final flight and responded gamely to win. About an hour later FLYING AWARD followed up with victory in the 3 mile Handicap Chase giving Lucy her double of the day. Her mother looked on in disbelief, saying “Pinch me, pinch me, this can’t be happening!”
Very many congratulations to winning connections on such a great start to the New Year which now gives Lucy a total of 6 wins this season and takes her into the lead for the ladies jump championship, one ahead of current overall reigning amateur jumps champion Emma Sayer.
30-12-2012
Many congratulations to Michael Heard who won on HOME RUN at Taunton today for his boss David Pipe, giving him his first career win. Michael has worked at Pond House since the start of this season and appropriately Home Run carries the colours of David’s father Martin.
Editor’s note: Michael went on to ride a treble at Wadebridge point-to-point the following weekend – well done Michael!
26-12-2012
Victorious today were no less than six amateur jockeys winning seven races around Great Britain – literally North, South, East and West!
Sam Waley-Cohen enjoyed a double with RAJDHANI EXPRESS winning the Novice Chase at Kempton before Sam’s sensational win in the King George with LONG RUN. Meanwhile at Market Rasen Jeremy Mahot won the Selling Hurdle with THE SOCIETY MAN trained by his partner Sara-Jayne Davies. About 20 minutes later over at Fontwell Chloe Boxall won the Handicap Chase with JOIN THE NAVY. Having her first ever ride at the track, Chloe held her mount 25 lengths off the pace before kicking for home in the straight, and the waiting paid off! Trainer Kate Bucket said “She was very good but I didn’t imagine she would leave it so late!” Chloe added “He travelled too well last time so I held him up.” Chloe’s win was soon followed by Mikey Ennis victorious in the next, the Mares Novice Hurdle, for his boss David Pipe with TOO GENEROUS.
Later in the afternoon Long Run’s regular exercise rider Nico de Boinville enjoyed a popular and emotional success with last season’s Hennessy Gold Cup hero CARRUTHERS in the Handicap Chase at Ffos Las for trainer Mark Bradstock. Carruthers runs in the colours of The Oaksey Partnership, formerly headed by amateur jockey, broadcaster, racing journalist and founder of the Injured Jockeys Fund Lord Oaksey who died in September. His daughter Sara Bradstock said “This is lovely and this is for dad.”
Finally, Gina Andrews made her trip north to Wetherby worthwhile by winning the last there, the Handicap Hurdle, for delighted trainer Pam Sly with CHICKLEMIX.
Many congratulations to all winning jockeys on a great day for amateurs!
