Amateur jockeys are reminded that permits to ride expire on Saturday 30th June 2012!

Application forms have been posted to all current licensed amateur jockeys and completed forms should be returned to Licensing Team, BHA, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS  AT LEAST 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE FOR WHICH THEY ARE REQUIRED.

Forms are available from the Licensing Team 0207 152 0140 licensing@britishhorseracing.com 

New applicants forms

http://www.britishhorseracing.com/resources/licensing/Amateur_Riders_2012-13_Application.pdf 

Renewals

http://www.britishhorseracing.com/resources/licensing/Amateur_Riders_2012-13_Renewal.pdf

Medical form

http://www.britishhorseracing.com/resources/licensing/Medical-Report-Form-2011.pdf

Many congratulations to Serena Brotherton and Alyson Deniel who won the 1st and 2nd divisions respectively of the Beaumont Robinson Ladies Derby at Ripon today in testing conditions.

Serena enjoyed a comfortable win on Sula Two for Ron Hodges by 3 1/4 lengths (on soft ground) from Becky Brisbourne on Aegean Destiny with Alice Mills and Lava Steps 6 lengths back in 3rd.

The 2nd division on deteriorating ground now classed as heavy saw a more dramatic race, with Aly Deniel tracking the field for much of the race and make steady headway through the final 4 furlongs to win by 3 lengths for Richard Whitaker on Shaloo Diamond from Serena Brotherton on Politbureau with Alice Mills again settling for 3rd place with Ritsi 6 lengths behind.

As part of the 2 day golfing/racing meeting at Perth on 31st July, a new Amateur Riders Handicap Hurdle 0-115 over 2 miles with prize money of £4,000 is now programmed on the evening of Tuesday 31st July.  Racing also takes place the next evening, 1st August, and a GOLF TOURNAMENT with a £1000 first prize for the winning team will be held.

Points will be awarded for winners and placed horses over the two fixtures and these points will be added to the Golf Team scores.  Fun is assured!

If you would like to combine your race riding with some golf, please contact Sam Morshead, General Manager of Perth Racecourse: sam@perth-races.co.uk Tel: 01738 551597

Many congratulations to Jacqueline Coward who became the first lady jockey ever to win the Queen Mother’s Cup with the same horse in consecutive years today with her trainer uncle Tim Easterby’s Crackentorp.  (Francesca Cumani followed her mother’s win of 2004 by winning with Idealistic (2005) and Soulacroix (2006).) Crackentorp clearly loves York as he was also third in this race in 2010.

Despite being drawn wide from stall 20, Jacqueline enjoyed a smooth victory.  ”She’s given him a fantastic ride; everything else drawn high was dropped in but she managed to get across” said Tim Easterby.  ”He absolutely loves it here, but I didn’t think he’d handle the ground.  He obviously did!”As tradition dictates, the winning jockey weighed in closely watched by Pol Roger who then generously presented her with her own weight in champagne.  Jacqueline said of the winner “He’s a proper Yorkster!  This year I think we are going to have to have a party.”

The race result was a true Yorkshire victory with fellow Yorkshire girls Rebecca Smith and Samantha Drake finishing 2nd and 3rd.

Many congratulations to Emma Sayer who sadly was unable to attend Stratford on the evening of 1st June to collect her magnum of champagne but with 11 winners ridden under Rules this 2011-12 season, Emma has won not only the Amateur Lady Jockeys NH Championship but also can claim to be the season’s Overall Amateur Champion  Jockey of the NH season - what a fantastic achievement!  Well done also to runner-up with 6 wins, Catherine Walton.

Many congratulations also to Robbie Williams (pictured middle) and Jack Quinlan who share the men’s title with 10 wins apiece and received their magnums from The Champ and Sports Personality of the Year AP McCoy at Stratford.  Runner up to Robbie and Jack was Rob Jarrett.  As soon as he had collected his bottle, Rob was legged up to ride the winner of the next race Rumbury Grey in the Novice Champion Hunterchase making his tally 8 wins for the season.

Jack turned conditional early on in the season and Robbie followed the same path a few days after Stratford, having his last ride as an amateur in Mannheim (Germany) in a Fegentri race that weekend where he finished 2nd.  We wish both Jack and Robbie every success in their professional careers.

The AJA is delighted to be working closely with Portman Healthcare who are offering a range of discounted dental treatments and services to all AJA members.  Offers available to AJA members only include:

• Individual discounts on all dental treatments
• Access to top specialists
• COST PRICE mouth guard  
• Free consultation for implants/prosthetic treatment if required following a racing accident

In addition the Portman Care Plan is available to anyone within the racing industry at a cost of £15 per month which provides:

• 2  annual check ups 
• 2 annual hygiene appointments
• Oral cancer screening
• Worldwide dental accident insurance 

For further information, please visit www.portmanhealthcare.co.uk and to book an appointment, please contact Tammy Stillwell on 07584306670 or by email.

Locations of available practices include:

• Aston Clinton 
• Bath 
• Cheltenham 
• Faringdon (Oxon)
• Henley-on-Thames
• Kibworth
• Leicester
• Maidenhead
• Peterborough
• Rugby

Absolutely atrocious weather conditions could not dampen the spirits of racegoers at Ffos Las last night when the AJA sponsored a race for Isabel Tompsett to celebrate her remarkable and on-going recovery from her bad fall a year ago.

Lady Amateur NH Champion 2009/10 Isabel was there herself together with family and friends including a party of nurses from nearby Neath Port Talbot Hospital who worked with Issy last year.

With changing ground conditions under a deluge of heavy rain only 6 went to post from 9 declared but nevertheless a thrilling finish ensued, with Michael  Nolan getting up by a short head on KILMORE WEST for John Flint from Craig Dowson on Richard Lee’s RIFLEMAN in ground which resembled a paddy field in places.

Congratulations to Sam Waley-Cohen who enjoyed third place yesterday in the Maryland Hunt Cup on BON CADDO.  Having been introduced to connections by Richard Pitman, Sam was one of only 6 runners and riders to complete from a field of 12 with the race including 22 formidable vertical four or five rail fences run over 4 miles.

The third fence stands at 4′ 9″ and the 16th is 4′ 10″.  Unlike Aintree, the course has remained essentially unchanged since 1922 other than new posts and rails being replaced as necessary.  ”The Grand National compares in terms of size” said Sam, “but there’s such a difference technique required and its a different type of race.”

A charity race is to take place on The July Course at Newmarket on Horsemen and Heroes Day on Saturday 18th August in aid of

 RACING WELFARE and

 THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY OPERATIONAL CASUALTIES FUND.

If you are interested in taking part, please e-mail Sarah Oliver sph.oliver@btinternet.com for an application form and race details.

Applications close on 15th May.