Year: 2014
02-10-2014
Many congratulations to 17 year old Toby Wheeler who rode his first career winner in the novice hurdle at Warwick today. To make it an even more memorable day than most, he beat champion jockey Tony McCoy on 1-6 favourite by half a length!
Toby wore a look of disbelief which was also shared by winning trainer Robin Dickin who said “Toby rides well and this is a great day for him. I’ve known him since he was 6 because he’d ride at gymkhana shows with my daughter Harriet. He rode out for me while at school and joined the yard this season.” Toby said “I rode half a dozen pony race winners for Mum and Dad, but I’m still waiting for my first in point-to-points.”
Warwick Racecourse were kindly about to present Toby with a bottle of champagne before realising that he was under age and so changed their gift to a picture frame!
30-09-2014
As posted earlier in April this year, the BHA introduce new skull cap standards from tomorrow, 1st October. This affects all jockeys whether professional or amateur riding on the racecourse and will also apply to jockeys riding in UK point-to-points from 1st April 2015. Also from 1st April 2015 new style body protectors will be mandatory both under Rules and on the UK point-to-point course for all jockeys.
Some shops are short on stock so do not delay in getting yourself equipped to avoid disappointment.
All skull caps will need to comply with the following standards so check your kite marks NOW:
- (BS) EN 1384: 2012
- CSN EN 14572: 2005
- BS EN 14572: 2005
- PAS 015: 2011
- or CSN EN 1384: 2012
We believe that the helmets listed below meet the new standards but please make sure you check this carefully when purchasing a new helmet!
• Champion Vent Air Deluxe
• Champion Euro Deluxe
• Charles Owen APM
• Charles Owen Adventura 2
• Charles Owen Pro 2 Skull
• Charles Owen J3
• KEP Italian Cromo
• GPA Jock Up 1
All skull caps will need to be labelled with the new kite mark and date standards to satisfy the BHA checks!
You will not be able to ride in a helmet without the correct kite mark but the BHA have agreed to a 2 week amnesty on issuing fines for attempting to ride with a skull cap that does not have the new standards.
Please also remember that revised body protector standards come into force from 1st April 2015.
23-09-2014
Many congratulations to both Joanna Mason and Serena Brotherton on their victories at Beverley today. The first division of the Brian and Jason Merrington Memorial saw 16 year old trainer’s daughter Poppy Bridgwater enjoying her first ever ride on ENGAI and take up the lead from 3 furlongs out. A dual then developed when she was headed a furlong from home by Joanna Mason and grandfather Mick Easterby trained TAMAYUZ MAGIC who stayed on well to score by a couple of lengths. Replay http://tinyurl.com/o727lo5
The second division provided a different finish as BROCKFIELD trained by Mel Brittain and ridden by Serena Brotherton scorched home, leading from early in the race and again 3 furlongs out to be pushed out to win by 3 lengths. The significance of this victory was that it saw champion Serena beat her own record of Flat wins in a season by taken this season’s tally to 10. Many congratulations! Replay http://tinyurl.com/otzg7az
19-09-2014
THE ABSOLUTELY UNMISSABLE
AJA NORTHERN DANCE RETURNS!!!
SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER
HOLIDAY INN DARLINGTON A1 SCOTCH CORNER
in support of THE INJURED JOCKEYS FUND
Dance tickets @ £45 each includes champagne reception + 3 course dinner
* Black tie * 7:30 to 1:30 * LIVE music to THE ZOOMS * raffle *
Bed & Breakfast rooms available @ special rates: £67 double or £92 twin – quote AJA
Tables of 10 can be booked via e-mailsph.oliver@btinternet.com or call 01886 884488 or 01933 304778 now!
19-09-2014
The AJA are extremely proud of both this year’s GB representatives in FEGENTRI, ALICE MILLS and FREDDY TETT, who are doing wonderfully well within their respective championships, with Alice in pole position at present for the ladies. However, the general consensus within the AJA is that FEGENTRI no longer fulfils our members’ needs in its current form.
After lengthy discussions over recent years, the decision has been made by the AJA Board of Directors in conjunction with the Committee that the AJA will not be renewing its membership of FEGENTRI at the end of this year. The AJA will therefore become sleeping members of FEGENTRI in 2015 in order to monitor any changes that might hopefully be made in the future and review the situation in due course.
15-09-2014
A 5 furlong two horse race sponsored by Ladbrokes carried out a gallop poll to mirror the Scottish Referendum today at Musselburgh racecourse. With amateur Carol Bartley riding NEIGH THANKS (Midnight Dynamo) in the Better Together silks and Rachael Grant riding YES WE CAN (Black Douglas), both horses were supplied by Renfrewshire trainer Jim Goldie.
Yes We Can stormed to victory in style and it remains to be seen if events on Thursday will mirror the result. History was made at the course as the race represented the first ever simulation of a political contest.
08-09-2014
Its tough at the top and no mean task in getting there, particularly in the Fegentri World Championship with all of the idiosyncrasies that this unique competition brings, and many congratulations go to Alice Mills who has just reached the top of the ladies championship tables.
A winning ride in Baden-Baden, Germany, on Wednesday after a fruitless ride in Ostend on Monday, followed by watching the Fegentri chase from the stands on Tuesday without a ride, rewarded Alice’s patience. This took her to one point from the top of the tables with two rides to look forward to at the weekend in Istanbul.
Unfortunately subsequent changes in the jockey line-up saw Alice’s ride withdrawn on Saturday but she was only just beaten by the German lady representative on Sunday and her 12 points for 2nd place takes her into pole position. How long for remains to be seen, with so much depending on host nations’ draws or their own systems for allocating rides. Just 4 ladies races remain on the calendar (3 in Germany, with the German representative closing in on Alice’s lead) and we wish Alice much luck for the rest of the season. You can follow Alice together with Freddy Tett’s progress at http://www.fegentri.com
25-08-2014
Many congratulations to Ross Birkett successful at Epsom today for Lady Herries aboard BARWICK in the Investec Gentlemen’s Derby.
With torrential rain setting in for the afternoon and a dramatic change in ground to officially heavy, there were 3 non-runners from the original line up of 10. Will Pettis made much of the running on Glennten who got swallowed up when entering the straight, but his front running tactics played into the hands of the winning combination with Ross holding up Barwick for much of the race at the rear of the field.
Ross progressed through the field to lead 2 furlongs out and headed for the stands rail once he hit the front, maintaining his lead to win easily by 10 lengths. Well done to winning connections.
Enjoy the replay here: http://www.chroma.premiumtv.co.uk/streaming/watch/RacingUKFlashVOD/partnerId_166/videoFileId_14322574/clipId_2426769/index.html
24-08-2014
By kind invitation of His Grace the Duke of Richmond, Goodwood hosted an amateur race today in memory of Gay Kindersley. Originally the Richmond-Brissac Trophy and a Fegentri race in recent years, it was good to see 10 horses go to post for a race which remains special in our calendar and no longer has unusual race conditions.
An early fast pace was set with the ultimate winner, VICTOR’S BET, slowly into his stride and virtually tailed off after only 2 furlongs, yet ridden with supreme coolness by Ella Smith whilst held up at the rear of the field. Ultimately his jockey delivered him perfectly in a thrilling dramatic finish with little more than hands and heels to sweep into the lead and win by 1 3/4 lengths from Ross Birkett on AUTOMOTIVE, with Michael Murphy and Brodie Hampson only a short head and a head back in 3rd and 4th respectively.
Trainer Jack Smith said “He’s not a bad buy for £500 from Ascot. I knew him in Spain when he was owned by Victor Chandler, who brought him back after Mijas closed. He had won in Madrid and bad horses don’t win there. He has shown his Newbury win was no fluke and Ella has given him a brilliant ride today, after they went off too fast.” Many congratulations to winning connections.
Picture credits: AJA
16-08-2014
Congratulations to leading lady jockey Serena Brotherton who took her tally for the season to equal her best ever 2011 total of 9 today when winning the Betfred Ladies Derby at Newbury. This was Serena’s 4th win of this race since its inception 7 years ago, and her first ride for Richard Hannon.
A thrilling three-way battle to the line saw Serena ride a strong finish and lift LIL ROCKERFELLER to the winning post a neck in front of Megan Nicholls aboard her father’s AMANTO with Irish leading lady Jane Mangan half a length back in third for Sylvester Kirk on LAST MINUTE LISA.
Serena said “Its been a very lucky race for me. There were very few entries this year so I called Richard Hannon’s yard and asked to be put on the list. Luckily they called back!”
