Category: Jockey News
04-04-2013
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.
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!
