THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN

Category: General News

CURTIS NEEDS A BROLLEY FOR THE BOLLY!

20-08-2004

Congratulations to Curtis Davies aboard Mark Brisbourne’s GIUNCHIGLIO who had to brave driving rain and draw on all of his reserves to hold on to win the eight race of the Bollinger Series at Chester from Lee Newnes on James Hetherton’s CYBER SANTA. Simon Walker, current leader of this series and last year’s eventual champion, was a close third on LENNEL with Eamon Dehdashti just beaten into 4th on MILK AND SULTANA.

Conditions at Chester looked more like a mudbath than a racecourse – truly extraordinary ground for this time of year. With only three races left in this series, it is fascinating to see that each race so far has resulted in a different winning rider! Simon Walker maintains his lead on 34 points, ahead of Michael Murphy on 16 with Declan Queally on 14 points in 3rd place and 4th place tied between James Best, Daniel Hutchison, Les Jefford, Justin Morgan and Miles Seston all on 10 points.

Friday 27th August sees the ninth race in the series at Goodwood. Watch this space!

BATHWICK SERIES SCREECHES TO A HALT!

19-08-2004

With Serena Brotherton making the running on frontrunner A ONE, a strong pace was set which well suited the eventual winner, Ron Hodges’ TENDER FALCON, held up for much of the race by Chrissie Hannaford and quickly lengthening clear as soon as they hit the front. Lucy Harwood was 5 lengths back in second on BUCKS, previous winner of one of the races in this series, with Michaela Sowerby 3 lengths behind on VOICE MAIL (another winner in the series) and Emma Folkes a length back in 4th on GALLANT BOY which secured her the holiday of a lifetime to the value of £1500 to either Dubai or a destination of her choice, courtesy of our very generous sponsors Wayne and Sarah Clifford of Bathwick Tyres.

INTERNATIONAL FEEL FOR SANDY AND ELAIN

19-08-2004

The Amateur Jockeys Association Ladies Invitation FEGENTRI Stakes was run on Friday 13th August in honour of Elain Mellor, our retiring Company Secretary, and Sandy Murphy, our retiring Chief Executive, to mark their tireless endeavours for the betterment of amateur riders over very many years.

Both Sandy and Elain have made an enormous contribution to amateur racing since the inauguration of the Lady Jockeys Association in 1972 which went on to amalgamate with The Amateur Riders Association in 1995 to form the AJA as it is today.

France’s Blanche de Granvilliers enjoyed her ride on the eventual winner BOJANGLES for Roy Brotherton, tracking the leaders throughout and staying on well to draw clear from Holland’s Paula Flierman on Stan Moore’s FLAMING SPIRIT by 2 1/2 lengths with Great Britain’s Annie Elsey half a length away in third on PRAIRIE LAW for Ian Williams.

Prior to the race, our President Mr Gay Kindersley presented both Sandy Murphy and Elain Mellor with gifts from the AJA as a token of our very great appreciation of all that they have both done for not only the AJA but also the world of amateur racing.

Forthcoming Courses

19-08-2004

A training seminar for new amateur riders wishing to ride under The Rules of Racing will be held at The British Racing School in Newmarket on Tuesday 7th September and costs £93.00 including lunch and refreshments.

A Category A Assessment Day for Amateur Riders wishing to ride under The Rules of Racing will be held at The British Racing School in Newmarket on Wednesday 13th October and costs £100 including lunch and refreshments.

Application forms to reserve places on these days are obtainable from the Course Administrator, The British Racing School, Snailwell Road, Newmarket, Suffolk. CB8 7NU Tel: 01638 665103 Fax: 01638 560929 E-mail: courses@brs.org.uk

The Conditional Licence and Amateur Category B Courses are combined. The course is open to any rider wishing to take out a Category B permit subject to the existing pre-qualifying conditions and for potential Conditional Jockeys. This course will be held at The British Racing School in Newmarket from 4th to 8th October and applications from Category B Amateurs are to be made direct to the Course Administrator, The British Racing School, Snailwell Road, Newmarket. CB8 7NU Tel: 01638 665103 Fax: 01638 560929 E-mail: courses@brs.org.uk

HEY PRESTO! NADINE SPARKLES!

27-07-2004

A field of 25 battled it out for the Star of South Africa Diamond Handicap in the penultimate race at Ascot on Saturday 24th July. Nadine Forde saw off her rivals in a thrilling finish in which she beat Joey Ellis on Treetops Hotel by only a short head, with Treetops Hotel putting in a late challenge and only just failing to get up on the line. Kelly Harrison finished 3rd on Sawwaah 3/4 lengths behind, with Spirit’s Awakening and Annie Elsey only 1/2 a length back in fourth.

LADIES LOOK FORWARD TO BATHWICK DERBY

18-07-2004

This exciting ladies series which, thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of Wayne and Sarah Clifford of Bathwick Tyres, culminates in the richest ladies amateur riders event in the European racing calendar on 15th August at Bath, has produced some interesting winners already.

First off the mark on 21st May was Michaela Sowerby who was delighted to win for her old yard when partnering VOICE MAIL for Andrew Balding. The second race in the series on 12th June produced a dream result for Gwen Morris, who enjoyed her first ever flat success on her debut flat ride, always prominent on HIGH DRAMA. 11th July saw two Shropshire sisters fight out the finish when Emma Folkes on David Evans’s THEATRE LADY beat Sarah Owen on MILK AND SULTANA by a length and a half. The final is valued at £25,000 and the lady jockey with most points from the series wins a holiday of a lifetime (in either Dubai or a destination of her own choice to the value of £1,500).

Please note: The race conditions for this valuable final race stipulate that riders must have ridden a minimum of 1 winner and had a minimum of 10 rides under the Rules of Racing.

CHARITY RACEDAYS UPDATE

18-07-2004

David Evans provided a dream ride for valet Dan Fortt at Brighton recently when he steered home SPRINGALONG to win from Simon Dow in 2nd with Gerry Chesneaux a close 3rd. 7 riders weighed out for this charity race, raising funds for Spinal Injuries, and we are indebted to those owners, trainers and jockeys who so kindly made this day possible.

Two charity racedays remain – Salisbury on 14th September and Wincanton on 24th October.

This is a great chance to have a lovely day out, enjoy yourself and help charity. Buy a table for lunch, bring along your friends, have a party and a day out at the races! Tables are available for both days and if you would like to purchase one, contact Alycia Collins at Spinal Injuries on 01258 861119 or contact the AJA.

UPDATES OF CAT A AND CAT B COURSES

18-07-2004

The Category A Assessment Day for new amateur riders due to be held at the British Racing School on Wedneday 11th August has been postponed until a date to be advised.

It has been agreed to combine the Conditional Licence and Amateur Category B Course 2nd to 6th August. The course is open to any rider wishing to take out a Category B permit subject to the existing pre-qualifying conditions. This course will be held at the British Racing School and applications from Category B Amateurs are to be made direct to the Course Administrator at the British Racing School. Tel 01638 665103 Fax 01638 560929 e-mail: courses@brs.org.uk

NEW AJA NORTHERN SUB-COMMITTEE

18-07-2004

In order to strengthen the links between the North and South, a sub-committee has been formed in the North. The Committee has already had its first meeting and ideas and suggestions taken forward to the main Committee. The members of this new committee are Serena Brotherton, Scott Dobson, Tom Greenall, Kelly Harrison, Richard Tate and Carol Williams. Northern members of the AJA are asked to liase with them over any concerns or problems.

DANCE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

18-07-2004

Saturday 6th November sees the date for the Annual Northern Dance at Scotch Corner Hotel.Friday 10th December will be the annual Summer Ball but it has changed seasons! It will be at Cheltenham Racecourse with Championship presentations and will be a Christmas Charity Ball in aid of The Injured Jockeys Fund and The Bob Champion Cancer Trust.More details on both dances will appear soon.