THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN
29-09-2025
Amateur jockeys please note:
There seems to be persistent difficulty getting through to the AJA Membership Desk at Weatherbys on 01933 304778.
If you find this to be the case, please call Weatherbys main switchboard on 01933 440077 and ask for the AJA Membership Desk.
18-09-2025
The AJA annual membership fee is subject to an increase from the current £100 (in place since January 2015) to £135 from 1st October 2025. Unfortunately this is due to the rising costs of cover which have dramatically increased in recent years. It represents an annual rise of 3% since 2015 and does not include the cost of inflation.
Despite this rise, AJA membership remains great value with automatic worldwide insurance for all members included against temporary injury whilst riding out or handling a racehorse or point-to-pointer, and incapacity benefit of £150 per week being payable after the first 28 days of injury for up to 52 weeks. There is an upper age limit of 70 years of age. Please note that this cover does not include any capital benefits (such as death or permanent disability) but simply offers financial assistance whilst temporarily incapacitated.
Amateur jockeys are also insured from weigh out to weigh in on the racecourse against injury though their BHA amateur licences, with current incapacity benefit of £300 per week payable after the first 28 days of injury for up to 104 weeks, together with cover against medical expenses, permanent injury and/or death and many other benefits.
Please note that if you are an amateur jockey who rides in point-to-points, the PPA holds an insurance policy that provides liability insurance for jockeys whilst participating in point-to-points and completing their Rider Assessment. A separate Personal Accident insurance policy is also in force for jockeys from weigh out to weigh in, which provides limited cover for injury and loss of earnings. It is strongly recommended that you also have private insurance, especially for those with dependants.
24-06-2025
Our historic and most valuable ladies race was held recently at York, namely the Queen Mother’s Cup whereby tradition dictates that the winning lady jockey receives her weight in champagne. Always keenly anticipated with a rich history of notable winning jockeys, nobody could have predicted the drama that was to unfold.
Megan Jordan, our 2024 Lady Champion Runner-Up, nearly came off My Dream World when he became unbalanced early in the race trying to jump the road, causing her to not only lose an iron but also her stick which she managed to catch mid-air. The partnership remained intact despite this incident, regained their momentum and ultimately passing the widely strung out field to win by a head, denying Becky Smith aboard Chillingham with Serena Brotherton a further length and a half away third on Heathen.
Following interviews and the traditional weighing of champagne, Megan’s dream was to turn to a nightmare when she learned that it appeared she used her stick ten times in the run-in, with current rules dictating that any strike of four or more over the permitted level results in disqualification. This was therefore automatically referred to the BHA whip review committee 72 hours later (as BHA rules dictate) and as a consequence Becky Smith was awarded the race.
It is so disappointing for all concerned, both winning and losing connections. Whilst Megan had her biggest victory to date taken from her, Becky and her owners and trainer missed out on celebrations of a race she has wanted to win for many years. In her own words Becky said “I don’t really think there is a winner at the end of it all. They said they are going to send the champagne to me but it’s a bit too little too late. I’ll let the dust settle for a bit, but I’m going to speak to Megan and see if she’d like to share it. I didn’t weigh in for it and it feels a little bit wrong if we don’t. I wasn’t first past the post. I don’t think either of us will be using the champagne to celebrate. The best thing is to share it and have another crack next year.”
Many congratulations to Becky on her victory, albeit such an unusual one, with her name now added to the illustrious list of winning jockeys. This incident illustrates the many and various challenges faced on a regular basis by amateur jockeys who do not have the benefit of daily race riding opportunities like their professional counterparts, and with amateur races programmed sporadically across the calendar and restricted to one per card. It is a cautionary tale for all. We can only be thankful that Megan, who has never had a whip offence before, managed to stay aboard her horse and avoided possible serious injury.
10-01-2025
Fegentri gives opportunities to amateur jockeys to enjoy race riding abroad. Last year both Serena Brotherton and Fletcher Yarham did a great job representing GB and Serena finished the season winning the Silver Spur for the Ladies as official runner-up to the World Champion – a fabulous achievement.
Fegentri offers a unique chance to see the world of international racing first hand and all travel expenses are met by the AJA with each host country providing accommodation. It presents challenges whilst combining your racing plans in the UK but you meet like-minded people, form friendships and enjoy unforgettable experiences.
Fegentri rules now allow up to 3 of both gentleman and lady riders to represent their country and take part in the FEGENTRI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR LADY RIDERS and the FEGENTRI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR GENTLEMEN RIDERS. In addition there is a jump element of Fegentri – The Gentlemen’s League – which gives limited opportunities to both Gentleman and Lady riders to ride over obstacles.
A main representative of each flat racing trio will be selected to compete for the title of World Champion (and be solely invited if within the top rankings from 1st October until the year end).
Applications are invited from amateur jockeys to take part and represent Great Britain abroad. Jockeys must have ridden a minimum of 5 winners (preferably under rules but can include point-to-points and Arabian races) with ladies able to ride easily at 58 kg (9 stone) and gentlemen ideally at 62 kg (under 10 stone ie 9 stone 12 lbs).
Please request an application form by e-mailing sph.oliver@btinternet.com and return together with two photos as stated on the form if you would like to apply. Please don’t hesitate to e-mail through any queries in the meantime. You can also visit the FEGENTRI website at https://www.fegentri.com
07-01-2025
We are looking forward to our Annual General Meeting to be held in Stratford-upon-Avon on Monday 27th January. All AJA members are welcome!
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2023 Annual General meeting of the AJA will be held on Monday 27 January 2025 at 12 noon at The Terrace Room, The Welcombe Hotel, Warwick Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 0NR when the following ordinary business will be considered:
1. to receive apologies for absence
2. to consider and if thought fit to approve and confirm the Minutes of the previous AGM and to authorise the President to sign them
3. to receive and consider the report of the directors
4. to receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive
5. to receive and consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution adopting the accounts for twelve months ending 31 December 2023. The accounts are completed and copies will be available at the AGM.
6. The following director retires at the AGM in accordance with Regulations 26.1 and 26.2 and offers themselves for re-election: Fiona Needham (nominated by Bob Davies and seconded by Anthea Leigh).
7. to re-appoint Andrew Winterburn Chartered Accountants as auditors and to authorise the directors to fix their remuneration
Dated: 7 January 2025
By order of the board
05-02-2024
Will amateur jockeys please note that plans are underway at the BHA for rules on safety equipment (helmets and body protectors) to be updated in 2024. Details will follow as soon as they are available but in the meantime all body protectors will have to be Racesafe’s RaceMotion 2.
Due to the costs involved, we are most grateful to the Injured Jockeys Fund who have kindly agreed to help with the purchase of one body protector per amateur jockey by offering a contribution of 50% based on the purchase price of £260.
To receive your claim form please e-mail jockeys@ijf.org.uk
05-02-2024
18-01-2024
Please will all jockeys note that the BHA medical form has been updated and can be found by following this link:
17-01-2024
Please will all jockeys note that going forward the points system for the All-Weather Championship will be scrapped. Only winning rides will count towards the championship, thus ensuring that the most number of winners ridden in the season will be reflected by the title holder. In the event of a tie, a countback will be used whereby the jockey with the most placed rides in addition to the most winners will be declared the champion.
12-01-2024
Please will all jockeys note the updated list distributed by the BHA which gives details of current Baseline Concussion Centres.
To keep up-to-date with this list you can copy the following link for future use: