Category: Jockey News
07-12-2012
The inaugural running of the Coldunell AJA 3 mile Chase at Sandown was well supported with 10 runners going to post in beautiful winter sunshine. The ground, having survived frost and snow two days earlier, was testing enough and the field were well strung out as they approached the railway fences for the final time.
Nico de Boinville was always well placed aboard STATE BENEFIT for his guv’nor Nicky Henderson and drove his mount home as he toiled up the hill from the last to score by half a length from Sam Drinkwater aboard BRACKLOON HIGH.
Many thanks to David Dunsdon, Chief Executive of local business Coldunell, for the valuable sponsorship of this race which was kindly shared with the AJA and enabled this exciting new chase to be added to our calendar. And many congratulations to Nico and winning connections.
21-11-2012
Those familiar names SIMON WALKER and SERENA BROTHERTON head the Flat Amateur Championships tables again for 2012, having ended the All-Weather 2011/12 season in the Spring with Simon as Champion and Serena runner-up. Simon Walker achieved his Gentleman Flat Amateur Jockey Champion title with a total of 5 wins and his nearest rival in the runner-up position was Freddie Mitchell with 3 wins. This is the 8th time that Simon has taken the championship, having won it originally in 2003.
Serena Brotherton achieved her Lady Flat Amateur Jockey Champion title with a total of 6 wins, 2 ahead of her nearest rival Jacqueline Coward on 4 wins. This is Serena’s 6th Championship on the Flat, and her 4th consecutively.
Many congratulations to both of our Champions and to all amateur jockeys who rode winners this season. (The final tables can be found by clicking on the left column link.)
20-11-2012
Applications are invited from AJA members who are UK licensed amateur jockeys to represent Great Britain abroad in 2013.
A: If applying for the Fegentri individual championship representation, you will need:
- an understanding boss – regular weekends away will be planned
- strong home support – your life will be hectic
- stamina – travel, time zones and flight delays sap energy
- to abandon thoughts of turning professional
- diplomatic skills, a cheerful disposition and philosophical attitude – rides can be varied
- the ability to smile for the camera – even when bitterly disappointed
- at least 5 wins under Rules
- the ability to do 9 stone for lady riders, 10 stone for lads
B: If you are unable to commit to a whole Fegentri season and/or weigh more than above, you might like to be considered for the Fegentri World Cup of Nations and wear the Union Jack colours. Weight can be up to 10 stone 7 lbs. Trips include:
- Pisa, Italy
- Maisons Laffitte, Paris, France
- Royal Windsor, England
- Berlin, Germany
- Penn National, Laurel Park & Great Meadows, USA
The AJA will cover travel expenses and host countries will pay for accommodation abroad.
C: Lady riders who can ride at 9 stone and have ridden at least 2 winners can apply to take part in the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship Series for Arabian Horses. For 2013 races will take place in:
- Oman
- Texas
- Morocco
- Australia
- Berlin, Germany
- Newbury, England
- Toulouse, France
- Duindigt, Netherlands
- California
- Poland
- Taby, Stockholm, Sweden and
- Abu Dhabi where the finale will be held and all jockeys from the series may be invited to attend for 6 days (yet to be confirmed). In addition all jockeys MUST be available if invited to attend an exhibition in Abu Dhabi in September for 5 days. You must therefore have agreement from your boss for possible substantial time away from work. All expenses will be paid.
D: Other international invitation races (ie China, Russia) might arise at any time.
All members will be mailed an application form: appformfegentri2013.doc
15-11-2012
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2012 Annual General meeting of the AJA will be held on Monday 10th December at 12:00 noon at The Queens Arms Hotel, East Garston, Nr Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 7ET when the following ordinary business will be considered:
- to receive apologies for absence
- to consider and if thought fit to approve and confirm the Minutes of the previous AGM and to authorise the President to sign them
- to receive and consider the report of the directors
- to receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive
- to receive and consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution adopting the accounts for twelve months ending 31 December 2011. The accounts are now completed and copies will be available at the AGM. Alternatively, on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope, copies will be sent to members on written request
- to consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution electing directors. The following director retires at the AGM in accordance with Regulations 26.1 and 26.2 and offers himself for re-election: Bob Davies (nominated by Nick Gaselee and seconded by Richard Dunwoody). Should any other person wish to stand for election as a director he or she is referred to the provisions of regulation 27
- to re-appoint Dr L A Cotterill as auditors and to authorise the directors to fix their remuneration
28-09-2012
AJA NORTHERN DANCE
SATURDAY 24TH NOVEMBER at newly refurbished
HOLIDAY INN DARLINGTON A1 SCOTCH CORNER
in support of THE INJURED JOCKEYS FUND
YOU are invited!
Let’s help towards getting the House That Jack Built
Dance tickets @ £40 each include champagne reception, 3 course dinner & coffee
* Black tie * 7:30 to 1:30 * music and dancing * raffle *
25 Bed & Breakfast rooms available @ £65 double or £75 twin held on booking reference AJA
Tables of 10 can be booked via e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com or call 01886 884488 or 01933 304778 now!
25-09-2012
Beverley managed to stage a full card of 8 races today in desperate conditions with lashing rain and standing water in the paddock. The penultimate race of the afternoon, division 1 of the amateur riders’ handicap, provided a popular first success under rules for Laura Wilson on breeder and owner Peter Easterby’s COTTAM DONNY who made all under a fine ride to stay on with the rest of the field well strung out behind.
Half an hour later Victoria Barr used similar front running tactics with SILLY GILLY to dictate the pace from the off and keep on well with just enough in hand to get home, even though obviously tiring on the testing ground. Many congratulations to both ladies on their successes today.
24-09-2012
This year the AJA’s dance will support the INJURED JOCKEYS FUND as a thank you for their invaluable work. The AJA request the pleasure of your company!
Champions Christmas Dance for the INJURED JOCKEYS FUND
SATURDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2012
CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE GOLD CUP SUITE
BLACK TIE * 7:30-1:30 * MUSIC & DANCING
tickets @ £50 each include 4-course dinner
top class raffle
Amateur Champions Awards
TICKET HOTLINE: 01886 884488 or 01933 304778
Tables of 10 available
Bookings taken by phone or via e-mail: sph.oliver@btinternet.com
Cheques payable to AJA posted to Crews Hill House, Alfrick, Worcester. WR6 5HF
HUNTER’S LODGE HOTEL, CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE
STABLE LADS ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE AT CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE WALKING DISTANCE FROM GOLD CUP SUITE!
CURRENT TARIFF
- Single room, B & B £24
- Twin room B & B £44
- Triple room B & B £60
- Quad room B & B £66
For more details and reservations, please call 01242 513345 or 500822
24-09-2012
Just visit www.jockeycoaching.co.uk and enter your e-mail for the chance to win!
Good luck! Competition closes on 10th December.
23-09-2012
Congratulations to Ally Stirling who rode her first winner under rules at Uttoxeter today for Fergal O’Brien on GUD DAY when winning the 2 mile Novice Handicap Hurdle. The successful partnership jumped their way to the front two hurdles from home and sprinted clear on the flat to score easily.
15-09-2012
The Fegentri World Cup of Nations series moved to Berlin today for the 5th race in this year’s series, with Great Britain represented by Jacqueline Coward and Harriet Bethell, both top lady jockeys having their first official Fegentri trip abroad.
Many congratulations to Jacqueline on a thrilling victory for GB winning by a nose from Italy, making up plenty of ground in the home straight ahead of Harriet, whose mount ran promisingly in the early stages but managed to beat only one whilst Jacqueline’s horse quickened to battle out the final stages of the race so successfully. This was especially well received by the horse’s trainer who had planned to give the horse one final run before retiring him, but is now revising this plan! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jtwN1JMe6E&feature=youtu.be
Great Britain now lie 2nd in the FWCN tables, having also been successful earlier in the year in Maisons Laffitte when ironically Nico de Boinville also rode a winner in France’s World Cup of Nations race.
Last year France refused Nico any rides whilst he was GB’s representative because his total wins under rules were less than 5, even though he had point-to-point rides to qualify. Unfortunately France refuse to recognise Fegentri’s 2008 change of rules which allow point-to-point successes to count towards the criteria.
