THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN

Month: October 2009

AMATEUR FLAT SEASON ENDS WITH SIMON AND SERENA CHAMPIONS AGAIN

28-10-2009

The Flat season drew to a close today for amateur jockeys with SIMON WALKER securing the gentleman’s championship several weeks ago having forged clear of his rivals and finally completed the season with a magnificent total of 10 wins.  MARCUS PRICE was his nearest rival on 3 wins and takes the vice-champion slot.  This is no less than Simon’s 6th Gentleman’s Flat Amateur Championship (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) as well as him being the current All-Weather Amateur Champion and is an extraordinary performance.

The ladies title was a less predictable challenge with SERENA BROTHERTON also enjoying a fantastic season and taking both the Ladies Derby at Newbury and the inaugural running of the Ladies Derby at Epsom.  However, with three lady jockeys – VICTORIA BARR, WENDY GIBSON and PIP TUTTY – all on a total of 3 winners to Serena’s total of 4 in recent days, there was an exciting end to the season but Serena’s win last Saturday at Newbury of the Frank Osgood Memorial took her total for the season to 5 wins and secured her the third ladies Flat championship of her career (2005, 2006, 2009).  This is a terrific achievement for Serena and congratulations must go not only to our 2 new champions but also to all amateur jockeys who have ridden winners this season.

Today at Musselburgh the mixed amateur riders’ race saw the final appearance in the saddle for the time being of past triple lady Flat amateur champion CAROL BARTLEY (2001, 2002 and 2003) as she takes maternity leave from her illustrious career.  Carol is the most prolific winning lady Flat amateur jockey holding a licence, with a career total of 52 wins so far.

VICKY CARTMEL TAKES A BREAK

24-10-2009

Newbury’s Frank Osgood ladies race today, won in fine style by Serena Brotherton to take her to a total of 5 wins this season and 2 clear of her nearest rivals, was not without incident.

Vicky Cartmel, a talented rider with 5 wins in her career including a Bathwick Tyres series win and having her last ride under Rules before taking a break from her riding career, was suspended for trying too hard and also for trying too little on MISTA ROSSA.  Having appeared to have ridden the perfect race waiting behind the two leaders, the picture changed in the final furlong when Mista Rossa was tiring and was caught in the last stride by WARNES’S WAY who had been under pressure from the home turn.  Vicky was subsequently banned by the Newbury Stewards for 28 days for dropping her hands in the closing stages as well as 4 days for use of the whip earlier in the race, totalling 32 days.  This seems an excessive penalty considering that this ban totals virtually the complete number of races in the Flat amateur ladies calendar for next season.  Vicky said “Its disappointing to have gone out like this.  Hopefully I will be back to race riding one day if an opportunity arises.”

Trainer Hughie Morrison defended Vicky’s ride, saying “Victoria is an amateur rider and she rides very well indeed.  The horse was very tired and so was the jockey.  You have to remember, these girls don’t get too many opportunities on the racecourse.”  

Continue reading VICKY CARTMEL TAKES A BREAK

DANIEL HISKETT RIDES FIRST WINNER AT EXETER

20-10-2009

On only his 2nd racecourse appearance, 18-year-old Daniel Hiskett rode his first winner under Rules when scoring on LOVE OF TARA for Martin Keighley in the opening amateur riders’ novice hurdle today at Exeter.This followed a great weekend for Daniel when he led up Benbane Head at Cheltenham for his guv’nor and enjoyed seeing him win.  Congratulations to Dan on a great start to his career!

BHA ANNOUNCE NEW WHIP & CHIP BUT AMATEURS EXEMPT

16-10-2009

The BHA has announced the introduction of a new whip for jockeys but the good news for amateurs is that they are exempt from this change.

The modified whip, which will include a microchip to allow research into the whip’s cushioning longevity, will be made available to British professional jockeys over the next few months, firstly on the Flat.  Modifications have also been made to the grip.  

The BHA policy on whip use can be found at: http://www.britishhorseracing.com/inside_horseracing/about/whatwedo/disciplinary/20080807whipuse.pdf

IAN CHANIN BREAKS HIS LEG

13-10-2009

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Ian Chanin, Great Britain’s Fegentri gentleman representative (pictured talking to trainer Jim Boyle after winning at Windsor in August), has broken his leg in 5 places whilst schooling at Polly Gundry’s on Friday.  With 4 races remaining in the Fegentri calendar and not far off the leaders, but even more significantly just approaching the start of a new point-to-point season with a long list of rides, this is awful news for Ian and we all wish him every good wish for a speedy recovery.

Currently in Exeter Hospital, Ian has had an operation to insert steelwork and now with a pin and numerous screws he hopes to be home soon to continue his recuperation.  GET WELL SOON IAN!

ITS PARTY TIME!!!!!

06-10-2009

TICKETS ARE SELLING REALLY FAST SO DON’T MISS THE

 AJA NORTHERN DINNER DANCE 

Saturday 21st November 2009

RICHMOND SUITE

SCOTCH CORNER HOTEL

Black Tie 

Dinner 7.30 pm 

Bar from 6.00 pm until 1.00 am 

Carriages at 1.30 am

TICKETS @ £40 EACH (CHEQUES PAYABLE TO AJA) FROM: 

Carol Bartley

07734 303862

Serena Brotherton

07740 257110

Accommodation discounted if booked by 8TH NOVEMBER  (quote ‘AJA’) Double B&B @ £70; Single B&B @ £45 Tel: 01748 850900

and then get yourself ready for the Christmas Champions Craic which will be held one week later at a new venue on the night of the Hennessy …

AJA CHAMPIONS CHRISTMAS CRAIC 

Saturday 28th November 2009

RAMADA NEWBURY ELCOT PARK

Black Tie 

Dinner 7.30 pm 

Bar from 7.00 pm until 1.00 am 

Carriages at 1.30 am

 TICKETS @ £40 EACH (CHEQUES PAYABLE TO AJA) FROM: 

SARAH OLIVER

 

 

B O O K 

 01886 884488

OR

07789 935399

N O W ! ! !