Every year the AJA support various charities (including Spinal Injuries, The Injured Jockeys Fund and Spinal Research as well as local charities) by organising charity races (run outside the Rules of Racing). Riders come from a variety of backgrounds and are of all shapes and sizes with a wide variety of experience, ability and age. There is no upper age limit and our oldest jockey to date is the late John Ciechanowski, Vice President of the AJA, who took part in Newbury’s 2005 race at the age of 83.

Riders who are proficient in the saddle are asked to provide their own horses, which must have run at least twice either under Rules or in point-to-points.  Please note that the AJA cannot be responsible for providing horses for charity races.  If riders cannot prove their standard of equestrianism by their experience, they must attend an assessment day at either The British Racing School in Newmarket or The Northern Racing College in Doncaster although if in the regular employment of a Licensed Trainer, exceptions can be made.

Amateur jockeys and point-to-point jockeys who hold a licence are also invited to take part in charity races and it is an excellent introduction to the racecourse for inexperienced jockeys. Sour or inexperienced horses can also benefit, with races started by flag rather than stalls and runners restricted to a maximum field of 12. On more than one occasion a jaded horse has had his racing interest restored having enjoyed taking part in a charity race and has been sweetened up to go on and win next time out!

Very many thanks to all our riders who took part in charity races in 2007 which were organised by the AJA at Chepstow, Newbury, Lingfield Park, Newcastle, Wincanton and Bangor-on-Dee. Many thousands of pounds were raised for charity.  Many thanks also to all of the owners, trainers and the racecourses themselves who made this possible.

 A huge thanks to all eleven jockeys who took part at Newbury on 12th June 2008, pictured in the line up above with our President, Gay Kindersley, in the centre of the photo.  This was in aid of Spinal Injuries, kindly sponsored by BetterBet.  From left to right, the jockeys are:  Paul Attwater, Hannah Page, Garran Skone, Ray McGhin, Richard Brooks, (sponsor, Gay Kindersley, sponsor), Leon Nurse, Gayle Evans, Rachael Thomas, Jessica Shopland, Clare Hazell and Michelle Dudman.  Congratulations to Leon Nurse who rode his first charity race winner on this memorable day, cheered on by about 80 supporters that he brought along with him!!  Many thanks also to all of the owners and trainers for providing the horses and also to everyone at the racecourse for making this race possible.

Sponsorship levels vary from race to race but we usually ask riders to aim for a goal of £1,000.

2008 charity races remaining:

NEWCASTLE Tuesday 14TH OCTOBER in aid of SPINAL INJURIES ASSOCIATION

CHEPSTOW Wednesday 5TH NOVEMBER in aid of SPINAL INJURIES ASSOCIATION

If you are interested in taking part, please contact Sarah Oliver on 01886 884488 or e-mail sph.oliver@btopenworld.com.