MIRANDA ROBERTS MAKES IT A WINCANTON HAT TRICK!

21-01-2012

Congratulations to Wincanton course specialists Miranda Roberts and Chesil Beach Boy trained by Miranda’s father John Coombe who made it a hat trick with a winning ride again today against professionals, having been victorious there also on Boxing Day and on 7th January.

To add to the day’s headlines, retired amateur jockey Anthony Knott made news as winning owner for all the wrong reasons, joining Nick Scholfield in the saddle on his return to the winner’s enclosure!  This was great entertainment for his many Somerset friends but the stewards handed Anthony a £100 fine for improper conduct.

Additional amateur chases to be added to calendar

16-01-2012

In recognition of the memorable 2010/11 NH season which culminated in Sam Waley-Cohen winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Long Run (the first amateur since Jim Wilson and Little Owl 30 years ago) the BHA put aside £30,000 of that season’s amateur prize money won against professionals.  Sam Waley-Cohen was asked to determine the distribution of these funds and chose £20,000 to be held by the BHA for investment in amateur races.

We are happy to announce that the first of 3 amateur races will take place on 15th February at Kelso.  This will be 2 mile 6 furlong HANDICAP CHASE (Class 3) for 5 year olds and upwards rated 0-135 with a total prize fund of £12,000, £6,000 being provided via the BHA from prize money won by amateur jockeys whilst winning against professionals in 2010/11.  The remaining 2 races have yet to be announced.

Robert Cooper handed 52 day ban and answers with a winner

12-01-2012

Robert Cooper began today negotiating the road from Shropshire to the British Horseracing Authority’s headquarters in London to face the Disciplinary Panel before journeying on to Fontwell races.   Having been referred to London by the Stewards at Uttoxeter following his victory on Elton Fox in a maiden hurdle on 31st December, he was given a 52 day ban for excessive use of the whip  and for not allowing time for the horse to respond.

The New Year’s Eve victory had provided Robert with his first winner in 12 years for his guv’nor John Needham and he went on to ride another winner later that day.  In response to his hefty ban, Robert rode his 3rd winner within a fortnight this afternoon to an enthusiastic Fontwell crowd and threw his stick away in defiance as he passed the winning post.

Robert said that he was “gutted” with his punishment but “rules are rules and you can’t break them. Obviously some were connecting but not intentionally but they didn’t look at it that way.  I know I was way too many over, but it wasn’t intentional.”  Robert’s ban will only apply on days when there are amateur races as dictated by current Rules of Racing, but with Hunterchase season fast approaching this will ease the punishment considerably for him.

The current whip rules state that the maximum number of whip usage during a race is 7 on the flat and 8 over fences.

THE SHEIKHA FATIMA BINT MUBARAK LADIES IFAHR CUP 2012

05-01-2012

The year ahead has plenty on offer for some lucky lady jockeys with this wonderful series to look forward to thanks to Lara Sarawaya:

Each race will be a purebred Arabian Handicap for amateur lady riders, and a different jockey can participate in each race which makes this series very special to our members.  Unlike the Fegentri World Championship which currently offers so much to one solitary jockey, this series offers many lady jockeys a thrill of a lifetime riding in exotic and unique places around the globe.  Lara Sawaya, Festival Director to HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nayhan’s Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, has organised the series with a prize fund of £20,000 at Newbury (and similar prize levels worldwide), making this the most valuable ladies flat race in the world.

Helen Cuthbert has agreed to represent Great Britain in the first race in Oman and Pip Tutty will be representing us in Australia.

AJA 2011 AGM 25TH JANUARY 2012 EAST GARSTON

03-01-2012

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF 

THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2011 Annual General meeting of the AJA will be held on  Wednesday 25th January at 11.30 am at The Queens Arms Hotel, East Garston, Nr Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 7ET 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 2010.  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
6. to consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution electing directors.  (a) Ian Balding has as from the date of the AGM resigned his office as director.  (b) The following director retires at the AGM in accordance with Regulations 26.1 and 26.2 and offers himself for re-election: Philip Pritchard (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
7. to re-appoint Dr L A Cotterill as auditors and to authorise the directors to fix their remuneration.

Dated:  3rd January 2012

By order of the board

Sara Moore

Company Secretary

A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead.  A proxy need not be a member of the company.

2012 amateur races confirmed at last

23-12-2011

The BHA have today confirmed the Racing Calendar for January to March 2012 and these are now listed on this site.  The BHA apologise for the delay in publishing these race fixtures.

Rachel King ends Fegentri season joint 4th

14-12-2011

Congratulations to Rachel King who enjoyed the final ladies race of the Fegentri season with the customary trip to Mauritius where she was unplaced and finished in joint 4th place overall, sharing this slot with France’s representative.  Rachel enjoyed being part of the team to participate in the first ladies race ever in Macau in November as well as many other trips, details of which can be found at www.fegentri.com.

 Rachel took an early lead in the ladies world championship at the start of 2011 with a winning ride in Qatar as well as enjoying some placed rides but her season was interrupted when she found herself unable to ride in our Fegentri ladies race in Nottingham in July as she had not renewed her amateur licence.  However, she subsequently rode a winner in Cologne (Germany) and Istanbul (Turkey) which gained her some valuable points, but as in previous years Great Britain was denied the title with Rachel being drawn on a horse for the final race who was unplaced.

Rachel winning in Doha Qatar

FEGENTRI & AMATEUR RACES ABROAD 2012

10-12-2011

Applications are invited from AJA members who are UK licensed amateur riders to represent Great Britain and ride not only in the Fegentri series 2012 but also in other international races.  In 2008 our selected riders, Danny Cook and Gemma Gracey-Davison, were runners up to the Fegentri World Champions and in 2009 and 2010 Claire Allen and Ruth Jefferson also achieved this status.

You will need an understanding guv’nor and strong home support as Fegentri demands regular weekend trips abroad.  You will also need stamina as travel, delays and time changes can sap your energy!  All thoughts of turning professional will have to wait until the end of the Fegentri season (October for men, December for ladies).  You must have ridden 5 wins under Rules and do 9 stone for ladies, 10 stone for lads.  The AJA will cover travel expenses and the host nations will pay for accommodation abroad.

If you think that this is something that you would enjoy, please contact Sarah Oliver as soon as possible by completing and returning: applicationformfegentri2012.doc.  E-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com or call 01886 884488 for further details.  These forms have been posted out to all AJA members.  All applicants will be kept on file for future consideration of any invitation races and also for future representation.  Applications for Fegentri 2012 close on 31st December 2011 but the sooner you send in your form the better!

Many support Issy & Dickie @ AJA Champions Ball

05-12-2011

Many thanks to everyone who came along and supported Isabel Tompsett and Richard Hawkins at the AJA Champions Dance on Saturday.  It was wonderful to see such a great turnout and especially to have both Isabel and Richard with us – something beyond our wildest hopes not so long ago.  A great mix of both the amateur and professional ranks were there to support our two injured jockeys who both continue to astonish us by continuing from strength to strength on their roads to recovery.

Isabel Tompsett greeted by Jonjo O’Neill

Richard Hawkins (centre) joined the celebrations

The incomparable Luke Harvey excelled as compere

Chris Martin, All-Weather Amateur Champion 2010/11, receives his cup and trophy from Mick Fitzgerald

Ryan Mahon, NH Amateur Champion 2010/11, receives his cup & trophy from Jonjo O’Neill

Gina Andrews, NH Lady Amateur Champion 2010/11 receives her trophy & cup from Andrew Tinkler who was able to attend the event being out of action with a broken hand.  (Gina is of course also reigning Lady Point-to-Point National Champion.)

Robert Williams, Flat Amateur Champion 2011, presented with his prizes by AJA director & Ludlow supremo Bob Davies

Serena Brotherton,  for the 5th time (& 3rd successive) Flat Champion Amateur Lady Jockey, presented with her cup and trophy by Carl Llewellyn 

Carol Bartley received her runner up trophy from Aiden Coleman for the Flat Lady Championship 2011.  (This was Carol’s first outing since breaking both arms and she is still unable to straighten her right arm.)

Emma Sayer received her Weatherbys Flat Ride of the Year award from AJA president Dr Phil Pritchard. Sadly Sam Waley-Cohen was unable to attend to accept his equivalent NH award for his win on Long Run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2011.

Sarah Oliver hands over one of the raffle prizes to past triple winning Champion Flat lady jockey Sarah Bosley whose husband Martin assisted with the auction. 

Folkestone celebrate Pompadour Day with amateur hurdle 28th November

21-11-2011

Folkestone Racecourse are once again kindly staging an amateur riders’ hurdle to celebrate Pompadour Day and strengthen ties with Pompadour Racecourse in France.  Last year this race was lost to the snow when the runners were actually down at the start in a blizzard!

12 jockeys have been invited to ride in the race and we hope that trainers will be able to support the race by providing runners.  Riders will be drawn by ballot by Weatherbys on Sunday morning.  We have a rich talent of amateur jockeys in Great Britain and this type of race is a great way to showcase them and help them build up experience before some of them turn professional, as has recently happened in the case of both Harry Derham and Jack Quinlan.

THE HYTHE AMATEUR RIDERS HANDICAP HURDLE