20-07-2018
The first of this year’s races in the Betfair Novice Amateur Riders Series took place at Catterick on Wednesday 18th July over a mile and a half under the watchful eye of BHA Jockey Coach Tim Reed and produced one of the best finishes of the day.
Nine jockeys took part with Billy Garritty and Micky Hammond’s RUSSIAN ROYALE cutting out much of the running. However Dylan Mcdonagh and Lawrence Mullaney’s BUYER BEWARE were never far away and led well inside the final furlong to win by a 1/4 of a length with RUSSIAN ROYALE just holding on for second a head in front of WOTABREEZE and Colin Quinlan. Jessica Gillam was fourth.
09-07-2018
Ellie MacKenzie’s name is already familiar amongst Arabian racing followers, especially after her debut success at Group level at Newbury’s Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) meeting last July for the Royal Cavalry of Oman, denying Tadhg O’Shea victory in a driving finish with Olivier Peslier third.
The CNA Hardy Handicap over a mile for lady riders at Sandown on 6th July showed Ellie enjoy her first win this season under Rules and her third overall with Rod Millman’s BIOTIC, holding her horse up until the last 100 yards where he responded gamely to being shaken up and won comfortably.
Many congratulations Ellie on a cool headed ride and well done to winning connections.
06-07-2018
What a horse! What a ride! Many congratulations Joanna Mason on a great ride aboard the legendary TAPIS LIBRE who seems to have made the Ladies Derby at Epsom his own!
Victorious now in this unique race no less than four times, last night being his third in succession, Joanna began urging her horse along before they turned for home. Under strong and patient driving, Tapis Libre steadily closed to stay on strongly and take up the lead inside the last 75 yards.
No stranger to adversity herself, having come back from a serious spinal injury following a point-to-point fall in 2015, Joanna’s sister Laura survived hospital blunders and a serious illness last year. Tapis Libre runs in the colours of The Laura Mason Syndicate which was formed to boost Laura’s recovery and it looks like the best medicine!
Clearly Joanna has formed a great partnership with Tapis Libre – this was their ninth victory in all so far! Many congratulations to horse, jockey and cousin trainer Jacqueline Coward.
Enjoy watching the closes of the race here:
04-07-2018
The Amateur Jockeys Association are delighted to announce the return of the popular Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Series now in its sixth year. The Series is open to amateur jockeys who are members of the AJA and who at 1st April 2018 have ridden no more than 3 winners under the Rules of Racing (both Jump and Flat). (This excludes Point-to-Point and Arab race wins.)
The Amateur Jockeys Association manages the series in consultation with the British Horseracing Authority. In addition Tim Reed, BHA Jockey Coach, walks the course with all participating jockeys together with a full de-brief afterwards.
Points are awarded to riders as follows: 10 points for winner, 6 for second, 4 for third and 2 for fourth. Also-rans awarded 1 point.
Winning connections are presented with Betfair trophies after each race and the winning series jockey is presented with the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Series Trophy.
Races are programmed as follows:
18th July Catterick Bridge
25th July Leicester
1st August Redcar
12th August Royal Windsor
14th August Thirsk
17th August Nottingham
22nd August Carlisle
27th August Ripon
Harry Phillips, Head of Sponsorship at Betfair, said “Betfair is delighted to be able to support the development of aspiring jockeys through this series which has been really successful since its inception.”
Tim Reed, BHA Jockey Coach, said “It’s great to have Betfair continuing their support for this novice riders series which offers such a valued opportunity for inexperienced riders to not only get a start but also learn so much without feeling they are being judged.”
Sarah Oliver, CEO of the AJA, said “This training series is eagerly awaited every summer, offering our novice riders invaluable race riding opportunities and tutelage. Betfair’s loyal and generous support is highly valued by us all and we look forward to seeing our novice riders flourish as a direct result.”
25-06-2018
The opener at Hexham on Sunday 24 June saw reigning ladies NH champion runner-up Becky Smith enjoy her first win of the new season over obstacles when she partnered Micky Hammond’s RUSSIAN ROYALE to victory over hurdles.
Always prominent, Becky urged her horse into the lead before the last and the partnership stayed on strongly to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
Becky is in fine form having already ridden 2 winners on the Flat this season to give her pole position for the championship, and this is her second visit to the winner’s enclosure within a week. Well done Becks!
24-06-2018
An important highlight of the ladies season is their Northern Derby held at Ripon and on 21st June Serena Brotherton enjoyed her fifth victory in this race aboard Mick Easterby’s 12-year-old ITLAAQ who was winning for the first time in 2 years!
Benefiting from first-time blinkers and a tongue-tie, Serena tucked ITLAAQ in behind the leaders and sent him on 3 furlongs from home to stay on well and win by just over a length from TRAUTMANN and Joanna Mason.
Following the race, Serena said “He’s been a star and I’ve been lucky enough to be the person to ride him. He travelled brilliantly and I thought we were getting there a bit soon, but it worked out well. It’s a lovely race and one that’s great for amateur racing – long may it continue!” Congratulations Serena! 🏆👏👌
22-06-2018
Last Thursday 14th June welcomed Wiser Academy’s Handicap at Newbury with 14 runners taking part over a mile and 2f.
A strong early pace was set but it was notably the two runners who came from off the pace and featured in the close finish, with Tony Carroll’s WINDSORLOT ridden by Sarah Bowen on the outer getting up on the line to win by a neck from Serena Brotherton aboard LOVING YOUR WORK with Simon Walker a length and 3/4 3rd.
A keen point-to-point rider who finished 2nd recently in a Hunterchase at Worcester, this was a first career win for Sarah under Rules and a day she will surely never forget! “I’m delighted and can’t believe it” she said.
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