Cheltenham Festival have renamed the National Hunt Chase in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s 60 year reign.  Now in its 142nd year, the 4 mile NH Chase is one of the oldest races at the Festival which is run as the opener on the Wednesday.

Cheltenham supremo Edward Gillespie said “The royal connection with Cheltenham is something we are particularly proud of and we are delighted to be marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year by renaming the most historic race of the festival in her honour.  In recent years, the Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase has been restored to its former glory and is now the foremost novices’ chase for long distance steeplechasers.  I am sure that the 2012 running will produce a thrilling spectacle and highlight the talents of more big race winners of the future.”

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.

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 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.

2012 Dates	Racecourse
12th January	Al Flaij Race Course, Muscat, Oman
27th January	Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
3rd March	Sam Houston, Texas
4th May	Cascade, Morrocco
19th May	Newbury, England
10th June	Hoppergarten, Berlin
7th July	Taby, Stockholm
26th August	Warsaw, Poland
3rd September	Craon, France
tbc November	Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Abu Dhabi, UAE

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.

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.

 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

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!

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.