Please note that all amateur jockeys who enjoy a winning ride abroad should notify BHA Licensing Department (Joanne Crawforth 020 7152 0148 jcrawforth@britishhorseracing.com) upon returning home so that it can be recorded against your career records.

This is vital in order that you always carry the correct claim when riding under rules.

The AJA are pleased to announce that Betfair are very kindly sponsoring a new series on the flat this summer for amateur jockeys who have not ridden more than 3 winners under the rules of racing, which includes both flat and jump racing but discounts point-to-point and Arab race wins.

The series is made up as follows:

1 CATTERICK BRIDGE 17 JULY

2 LEICESTER 24 JULY

3 REDCAR 31 JULY

4 THIRSK 12 AUGUST (EVENING)

5 RIPON 26 AUGUST

6 CARLISLE 28 AUGUST

A Jockey Coach will be in attendance throughout the series to conduct a course walk prior to racing and to discuss the race afterwards with all participating jockeys.

Please note: should you wish to take out your amateur licence specifically for this series, that you should apply for your licence in plenty of time (ie early June) as all amateur licences expire on 30th June and Licensing at the BHA will therefore have a backlog of applications in early July.

An exciting opportunity awaits NH amateur (and professional) riders preferably aged under 26 who are interested in working, riding and holidaying in New Zealand!

You will be placed in friendly, family run racing environments (usually yards with 10 - 20 horses in work) where you will be looked after, shown a good time and just as importantly given opportunities to race ride.  

The AJA are delighted to announce that this summer will see the inaugural running of the JRL Group’s gentlemen rider’s Flat series.

This will consist of 5 races as follows:

1 Saturday 27th July (evening) SALISBURY

2 Sunday 4th August NEWBURY

3  Friday 4th October ASCOT

4 Sunday 13th October GOODWOOD

5  Monday 21st October ROYAL WINDSOR finale

Congratulations to Sam Waley-Cohen who finished 4th in today’s Grand National with OSCAR TIME trained in Ireland by Martin Lynch.

2nd in 2011 behind Ballybriggs, the partnership were always prominent and enjoyed a great spin.  Sam’s father Robert said “That was amazing, so exciting.  Sam had him in a great position and gave him every chance.”

Katie Walsh went to post favourite with SEABASS trained by her father Ted in a bid to become the first lady jockey to win a National (the pair having finished 3rd last year) and finished 13th of the 17 who completed, the horse having tired in the final stages of the race.

Many congratulations to 18 year old Jamie Hamilton who enjoyed a 100-1 victory today at Aintree with the horse who gave him his first career success under rules just over 12 months ago at Kelso when winning the AJA amateur chase, 13 year old TARTAN SNOW.

After a false start, 25 runners set off with CLOUDY LANE, WARNE and SILVERBURN leading the field and everyone safely negotiating the first.

As they turned into the home straight, it was Ollie Greenall and COOL FRIEND who looked the likely winners moving into a clear lead as they approached the elbow, but they were worn down by a well timed run from Jamie as the line approached and a photo finish decided the outcome with TARTAN SNOW winning by a neck.  Fresh from winning the men’s flat race at Doncaster only a fortnight ago for Richard Fahey, Jamie (son of clerk of the scales Michael Hamilton) is in the form of his life and said “This horse has been very good to me.  He gave me my first winner under rules.  He jumped for fun and all thanks to Stuart Coltherd for the opportunity.”

Watch the final stages of the race here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx20Lwss-Xg

There was a sad postscript to the race as tragically prolific point-to-point winning BATTLEFRONT collapsed after being pulled up by Katie Walsh when tiring and died from a heart attack.  The race was also the last for popular CLOUDY LANE who was retired by connections after finishing 9th.

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

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.

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/

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.