24-05-2016
The Amateur Jockeys Association are delighted to welcome the return of the popular Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Series for the fourth consecutive year. The Series is open to amateur jockeys who are members of the AJA and who at the * start of the 2016 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.
* Please note: The Flat Season runs in any year from the day the Lincoln Handicap is programmed until the afternoon the November Handicap is programmed, or such earlier or later dates as the British Horseracing Authority shall decide. In 2016, the Flat Season runs from April 2nd up to and including November 5th.
The Amateur Jockeys Association manage the series in consultation with the British Horseracing Authority. In addition Tim Reed, Jockey Coach based at the Northern Racing College near Doncaster, will be in attendance to walk the course with the participating jockeys before and to offer help and advice with a de-brief after each race.
Points are awarded to riders with 5 points for the winner, 3 for second, 2 for third and Also-rans awarded 1 point each. (No participating jockey’s name is excluded from these tables!) In addition to winning connections being presented with Betfair trophies after each race, the winning series jockey is presented with the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Series Trophy. Races are scheduled to take place as follows:
13th July Catterick Bridge
20th July Leicester
27th July Redcar
7th August Windsor
12th August Nottingham
17th August Carlisle
22nd August Thirsk
29th August Ripon
Harry Phillips of Betfair commented today “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Betfair Amateur series for a fourth consecutive year. The programme provides a platform for aspiring young amateur jockeys to launch their career and we are proud to support it.”
Tim Reed, Jockey Coach, said “I am looking forward to being involved in another Betfair Series for amateur jockeys which can really make a positive contribution to the future of their riding careers.”
Sarah Oliver, CEO of the AJA, said “Year on year this series proves itself as a launching pad for the careers of young amateurs, many of whom often finding it hard to get rides until they have gained experience. Thanks to the generosity of Betfair’s sponsorship, 2016 sees the series continue to offer race riding opportunities together with education and training for amateur jockeys, and for that we are extremely grateful.”
22-05-2016
Congratulations to Brodie Hampson on a great start to the new jumps season with a double today at Fakenham!
The first of her winners was aboard her late father Mark’s FORT GEORGE trained by Sally Randell when she denied victory to Champion Jockey Dickie Johnson in the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards Handicap Chase for the Prince of Wales Cup. She followed this up with a win over hurdles in the last race of the day, the Aylsham Show Lady Amateur Riders Handicap Hurdle aboard LEE SIDE LADY for Neil Mulholland.
Well done Brodie who now heads the table for the Ladies Jump Championship for 2016/17!
21-05-2016
Congratulations to our newly crowned Jump Champions David Noonan and Bryony Frost pictured above either side of Champion Jockey Dickie Johnson last night at Stratford, flanked by runners up Stan Shepherd and Gina Andrews. Gina shares the runner up position with Cath Walton. Well done all! Many thanks as always to Stratford Racecourse for allowing us to make these presentations on the last night of the amateur jumps season. The new 2016/17 amateur jump season begins today!
18-05-2016
This Friday evening 20th May sees the finale of the 2015/2016 amateur jump season kindly hosted as always by Stratford Racecourse.
The gentlemen’s championship has been won by David Noonan (above) on 19 wins – an incredible achievement considering that David turned conditional before Christmas!
Stan Sheppard (above) has put in a great effort at denying David the championship and is currently on 15 wins with the runner-up slot safely secured, having ridden 2 winners last week with Maxi Chop in a Hunterchase at Fontwell for Rose Loxton the day after he scored at Worcester for his father Matt with Modeligo over fences. Stan’s nearest rival is Michael Legg who has had an incredible season and is currently on 11. James King rode no less than 3 winners last week so deserves a mention too in the closing stages of the season:
* David Noonan 19
Mr Stan Sheppard 15
Mr Michael Legg 11
* Sam Coltherd 9
Mr Zac Baker 6
Mr James King 5
Mr Tommie O’Brien 5
The ladies championship is a much closer battle with Bryony Frost (below) currently leading the girls on 7 wins.
Catherine Walton (below) won a Hunterchase at Perth last week on Mister Marker for Nicky Richards which took her to 6 wins and last night Gina Andrews joined her in the runner-up slot following her Hunterchase win at Huntingdon on Hill of Gold for David Kemp.
Brodie Hampson is next in line with 5 wins. Friday night’s racing at Stratford Races could change the final ranking for the ladies so here is wishing good luck to all!
Miss Bryony Frost 7
Ms Gina Andrews 6
Ms Catherine Walton 6
Miss Brodie Hampson 5
Ms Nina Carberry 4
Huge congratulations to all amateur jump jockeys who have ridden winners this season! The new season starts on Saturday.
Photo Credit to Simon Burgess Photography: Bryony Frost
