THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN
18-12-2017
Iain Jardine brought ARCHIPELIGO down from Carrutherstown to Wolverhampton for the Betway Amateur Riders’ Handicap on 18th December and Bruce Lynn enjoyed a thrilling win denying Becky Smith by a neck!
Well done Bruce!
Watch the closing stages here:
https://twitter.com/SophieScarrott/status/942764290565656576
18-12-2017
Southwell was the scene of the www.hall-fast.com Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle on 17th December and well done to Noel George who won for his father Tom George when winning aboard DANDY DUKE.
Holding his horse up, Noel made headway from about three out and shook up Dandy Duke to take the lead as they approached the last and stay on to win by one and a half lengths.
Congratulations (and apologies for the murky pic!).
18-12-2017
A great day for amateurs at Hereford on 16th December with not only Lorna Brooke winning aboard SPOCK but also Lorcan Williams winning the Central Roofing and Building Services Ltd Notices’ Chase, with WORK IN PROGRESS for Dan Skelton.
A three runner race, Lorcan was able to take advantage of the untidy jump of the last by favourite Ozzie The Oscar to lead soon after and drive his horse out to score by a length and a quarter. Well done Lorcan and winning connections!
15-12-2017
Congratulations to Abbie McCain on a great ride today at Bangor when riding against professionals and making all to go on to win by a length and a half with her father Donald McCain’s TAWSEEF in the Alfa Aggregate Products Golden Spurs Handicap Hurdle. Well done Abbie!
You can watch a video of the closing stages of the race here:
The wonderfully tough Tawseef wins the Alfa Aggregate Products Golden Spurs Handicap Hurdle for Abbie McCain pic.twitter.com/3fvrmcMeNd
— Bangor-on-Dee (@BangorRaces) December 15, 2017
10-12-2017
Many congratulations to leading gentleman amateur jockey Zac Baker for a fantastic win this afternoon with Ben Bens when victorious at Sandown.
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies had already watched Blaklion with the Becher Chase at Aintree for the same owners which made the 12-year old’s victory even more remarkable.
A delighted Zac said following the race “The amount of sweating I’ve done to take this ride! He was just amazing. It’s awesome – quite possibly the best ride I’ve been given. I had 10 stone 9 lb which was a real struggle on Wednesday, so to do 10 stone 8 lb made it all worth it as we didn’t win far! The ground was perfect for him, we got the lead, yet he wasn’t doing a tap in front. Aidan came to me on the bend but I just flew. I was very long at the last but he came up for me and that won it. George will probably ring on the way home and my mum and dad are here – its massive. its one of my favourite tracks and I’ve finally ridden a winner here.”
Watch the closing stages of the race here:
Benbens (14-1) thwarts a spectacular late challenge from Sugar Baron to win the London National Handicap Chase for trainer @NigelTwistonDav pic.twitter.com/AgalkWG7Ne
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) December 9, 2017
Well done Zac! A great achievement.
09-12-2017
11 went to post yesterday at Sandown Park for the Holiday Inn Shepperton Handicap Chase for the John Dunsdon Memorial and the field was soon dramatically diminished to 9 with James King unseated at the first and Michael Legg similarly despatched at the second.
As the race progressed and the chasing pack began to thin, the old gentleman of the party Charlie Longsdon’s 13-year-old PETE THE FEAT responded to the urgings of his jockey
🇮🇪 Damien Skehan and led from 3 out to gallop on gamely up the hill and win by 2 3/4 lengths.
Well done to Damien not only on this great 25/1 win but also on finding his way to the racecourse in the first place, having got lost on the way! Many congratulations to winning connections.
Thanks must go to our sponsors David Dunsdon for this valuable steeplechase within the amateur calendar which contributes towards the build-up for our top amateur chases of the season eagerly anticipated in the Spring.
Enjoy the closing stages of the race here:
13yo Pete The Feat (25-1) triumphs at Sandown, winning the opening Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase in fine style pic.twitter.com/lam81Pwf7k
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) December 8, 2017
08-12-2017
Yesterday was a red letter day for amateurs with 3 amateur jockeys enjoying wins across the country.
At Market Rasen Tommie O’Brien’s positive ride on favourite TRIOPAS for Tom Lacey paid off, winning the long distance Handicap Hurdle by 3 lengths going away.
The first of an across-the-card double for owner Gloucester farmer John King with 13-year-old RATIFY dominated the field in the Jockey Club Catering Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase at Wincanton, making all under Lilly Pinchin for Fergal O’Brien to give a fantastic display of jumping and win by a distance. Fergal O’Brien said “I am absolutely delighted. He’s a great enthusiast and I told Lilly to ride him like she rides Creevytennant, another front runner, and he jumped from fence to fence.”
An easy win for Ratify (4-1) in the 2m4f Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase on his first start for @fergalobrien07. pic.twitter.com/mNCBFqYaZU
— Wincanton Racecourse (@wincantonraces) December 7, 2017
While Leicester proved a happy hunting ground for Brodie Hampson defying a penalty (after their victory at Hereford a week ago) aboard COUGAR KID and following up for John O’Shea in the handicap hurdle. Brodie said “He’s in a happy place and I’d like to think he can win again. You have to ride him as you play him – he’s different in every race and John does a great job in keeping him sweet.”
Very many congratulations to all winning connections on a great day for amateurs!
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06-12-2017
Congratulations to Jessica Cooley winning on the All-Weather at Lingfield today for Alan Bailey with STRICTLY ART, the 4th win of the horse’s career and their 3rd win together since June when they enjoyed success at Goodwood. Well done Jess!
04-12-2017
It was amusing to see someone tweeting that Sir Alex Ferguson won at Newbury on Saturday but perhaps our amateur jockey Alex Ferguson should be knighted after such a polished performance when winning the Ladbrokes Intermediate Hurdle (the Gerry Feilden) for his grandmother Mrs Margaret Ferguson with her Ben Pauling trained HIGH BRIDGE.
Making all, Alex made a decisive move in quickening the pace after jumping the third from home and his horse responded to his urgings after the last to stay on and deny Noel Fehily on Nicky Henderson’s Charli Parcs by 1 1/4 lengths.
Alex’s father John Ferguson said “I’m proud of the horse, the team and Alexander. We no longer have Bloomfields and I wanted my mother to have the fun, but I don’t know about the prize money! This is very special. Alexander is making his way and wants to make a career of it.”
Trainer Ben Pauling said “The best thing about this is the confidence Alex has ridden him with against seasoned pros. He’s had to make the running and has made the right calls at the right time. He’s a young lad who is taking his opportunities and he’s done that. I’m thrilled for him.”
Huge congratulations to Alex and to his family and winning connections on this great success.
Watch the thrilling closing stages of the race by clicking on this link below:
The Ladbrokes Intermediate Hurdle was a tactical affair with front-running High Bridge, the 9-4 favourite, prevailing in something of a sprint finish #LWC pic.twitter.com/bUX7hu10Xa
— Newbury Racecourse (@NewburyRacing) December 2, 2017
02-12-2017
Congratulations Shauna Larkin on winning the Britain v Ireland Challenge Hurdle yesterday at Limerick with Dromore Lad for Dermot McLoughlin by half a length from James King on Ali Bin Nayef for Shark Hanlon with Becky Smith 3 1/2 lengths 3rd on Hawk Eye Down for Paul Power. This was a special win for Shauna being her first win under Rules so a day for her never to forget!
Sam Davies-Thomas was 4th on top weight Paper Lantern. Of the 7 runners, only 5 finished and Page Fuller pulled up.
A huge well done Shauna and super proud of the GB riders too!
Very many thanks again to The Qualified Riders Association Susan Leahy and Limerick Racecourse for giving our team a day to remember and a great experience. 🇮🇪
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