Betfair Novice Flat Jockey Series 2014
05-06-2014
The Amateur Jockeys Association are delighted to welcome the return of the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Series for 2014. The Series is open to amateur jockeys who are members of the AJA and who at the start of the 2014 Flat Season have ridden no more than 3 winners under the Rules of Racing (both Jump and Flat). This excludes Point-to-Point and Arab racing wins.
The Amateur Jockeys Association will manage the series in consultation with the British Horseracing Authority. In addition Jimmy Bleasdale, Jockey Coach based at the Northern Racing College near Doncaster, will be in attendance to walk the course with the participating jockeys before each race and to offer them help and advice.
This year the series has grown from 6 to 8 races culminating in the finale at Carlisle’s meeting on Wednesday 27th August. Points will be awarded to riders with 10 points for the winner, 6 for second, 4 for third and 2 for fourth. Also-rans will be awarded 1 point.
In addition to winning connections being presented with Betfair trophies after each race, the winning series jockey will be presented with the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Series Trophy.
Races are scheduled to take place as follows:
16th July Catterick Bridge
23rd July Leicester
30th July Redcar
10th August Royal Windsor
11th August Thirsk
15th August Nottingham
25th August Ripon
27th August Carlisle
Barry Orr, Head of Public Relations at Betfair, commented today ‘’We are delighted to once again back the Amateur Jockeys Association flat series. The increase to eight races is a testament to a fantastic first year for the series and jockey participation levels have been excellent.’’
Dawn Goodfellow, CEO of The Northern Racing College, said “The Northern Racing College is delighted to be providing jockey coaches again for this second Betfair Amateur series. We believe it offers an excellent opportunity and incentive for amateur riders to develop their race riding skills and very much look forward to being involved.”
Jimmy Bleasdale, Jockey Coach, said “I am looking forward to this season’s Amateur Novice Series sponsored by Betfair. I hope it is as exciting as last year and takes us to the wire in the finale event at Carlisle again.”
Sarah Oliver, CEO of the AJA, said “We were delighted that Betfair’s inaugural series was so popular amongst both jockeys and trainers, giving 43 individual novice amateur jockeys 78 rides on 6 different UK racecourses. This series proved itself as a launching pad for the careers of young amateurs who often struggle to get rides and since last year at least 2 participating jockeys have turned professional. Thanks to the generosity of Betfair’s sponsorship, 2014 sees the series extended to 8 races which offer race riding opportunities together with education and training.”