Many amateur jockeys will be familiar with Fegentri which gives opportunities to amateur jockeys to enjoy race riding abroad on the Flat. All travel expenses are met by the AJA and the host countries provide hotel accommodation.
Fegentri rules have been updated for 2023 to allow up to 3 gentlemen and up to 3 lady riders to represent their country and take part in the LONGINES FEGENTRI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR LADY RIDERS and the LONGINES FEGENTRI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR GENTLEMEN RIDERS.
A main representative of each trio will be selected to compete for the title of World Champion and be solely invited if within the top rankings from 1st October until the year end.
The 2023 Fegentri General Assembly will be held in Marrakech, Morocco on Saturday 6th May and we now await publication of this year’s calendar.
Applications are invited from amateur jockeys to take part and represent the UK abroad. Jockeys must have ridden a minimum of 5 winners (which can include point-to-points) with ladies able to ride at 58 kg (9 stone) and gentlemen ideally at 62 kg (under 10 stone ie 9 stone 11 lbs). Please contact Sarah Oliver at the AJA via e-mail: sph.oliver@btinternet.com for an application form which needs to be returned by 15th February. Please don’t hesitate to e-mail through any queries in the meantime.
The Amateur Jockeys Association are delighted to announce the return of the popular Novice Flat Amateur Series. The Series is open to amateur jockeys who are AJA members and have ridden no more than 3 winners under the Rules of Racing at the start of the current flat season.
We are most grateful to all racecourses who support this series which this year include:
13th July Catterick Bridge
27th July Redcar
9th August Carlisle
12th August Nottingham
27th August Thirsk
29th August Ripon
25th September Ffos Las
24th October Leicester
The Amateur Jockeys Association manages the series in consultation with the British Horseracing Authority. In addition a BHA Jockey Coach walks the course with all participating jockeys prior to each race and, if covid restrictions allow, follows each race with a full de-brief. Tim Reed takes on this role on a regular basis.
This is a points series with 10 points awarded to each winner, 6 for 2nd, 4 for 3rd and 1 point for also-rans.
This training series is eagerly awaited year on year by our novice riders. Past amateurs who have ridden in this series include Hollie Doyle and Megan Nicholls as well as jumping’s Harry Bannister, Connor Brace. Bryony Frost, Page Fuller, David Noonan, Harry Reed and Stan Sheppard. A series which offers racing opportunities under the watchful eye of a jockey coach is so beneficial to the participants and we greatly appreciate the support of all owners, trainers and racecourses involved. Good luck to all jockeys riding this year!
A charity race to support JULIA’S HOUSE – Wiltshire and Dorset Children’s Hospices – will take place at Salisbury Racecourse on Friday 9th September as the first race of their twilight meeting. The race is to be run over a mile with 10 runners and riders.
Applications are now invited with each rider asked to raise a minimum in sponsorship of £1,500 for this wonderful charity.
Julia’s House is an award winning Children’s Hospice in Dorset and Wiltshire dedicated to bringing comfort and care to families across the two counties. It is not a typical children’s hospice. They provide practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, providing frequent and regular support in their own homes, in the community or at their hospices.
For an application form and details of race conditions, please e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com.
The second ever running of the Student Derby will be run on Wednesday 26th October as the feature race at The Curragh.
All riders must be current students at any university (or will be at the time of the race) and hold a current amateur, conditional or apprentice licence. Riders should be able to ride at a minimum 11st 6lb.
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone to ride over the Irish Derby distance at Ireland’s premier racecourse and anyone interested should please contact Paddy Barlow:
Many thanks to Ilona Barnett and all at Stratford Racecourse for enabling our traditional Amateur NH Championship presentations to be made at their Hunter Chase meeting on Friday 27th May which always marks the end of our jumps season.Huge congratulations to our 2021/22 Gentleman Amateur NH Champion Jockey Tristan Durrell and to our 2021/22 Lady Amateur NH Champion Jockey Gina Andrews. Very many congratulations also to our talented runners up Ben Bromley, Becky Smith and Lucy Turner.
With the men’s runner-up position still undecided due to David Maxwell having two booked rides, the evening began with the possibility of it being equalled or even overtaken but bad traffic interfered with David’s plans and his runners were withdrawn.
It has been a great season for Ben with his phenomenal start and maintaining his lead on 9 wins until eclipsed by the dazzling accumulation of Tristan’s 15 winners which kept on coming right up until the last few days of the season. Well done Tristan on a fine total. As is customary at this time of year, both Tristan and Ben will be turning conditional and we wish them all the very best of luck in their future professional careers.
The ladies final placings were a little more clear cut with Lucy Turner sidelined through injury, although Becky made a valiant effort to catch Gina. In the end Becky had to settle (for the second consecutive year) to sharing the runner-up position with Lucy, both on 7 winners. Well done to them both and to our record breaking champion Gina who has been unstoppable alongside her champion point-to-point season, ending the season with 9 winners including on the night itself, winning the Ladies Open Championship Final Hunter Chase with FUMET D’OUDAIRIES for husband Tom.
What a season it has been. Congratulations to all amateur jockeys who enjoyed winning rides.
The Amateur Jockeys Association is delighted to announce that a charity race in support of HEROS will take place at Newbury Racecourse on Friday 12th August.
The race is to be run over ten furlongs and will feature 12 experienced riders from a diverse demographic.
Applications for entries are now open with each rider expected to raise a minimum sponsorship of £2,500.
For an application form and race conditions, please e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com.
HEROS Charity began in 2006 with a focus on ex-racehorse re-training and re-homing. HEROS now also provides educational training and offers a variety of courses from age 11. With support from The Racing Foundation and many other partners, HEROS is proud of the individual care offered to all horses and learners at HEROS.
For more information on HEROS please go to www.heroscharity.org
Applications for the charity race close on Friday 6th May.
Following the long lay-off of amateur racing due to Covid19 in 2020 through to 2021, Monday 29th March 2021 saw the resumption of grassroot sports and the return of amateur racing was welcomed from that date.
As a consequence, a large number of amateur riders renewed their licences at that time, with those same licences now due to expire.
The BHA’s Licensing Department ask for a minimum of two weeks under the Rules of Racing to consider a renewal application. Out of courtesy, all jockeys are e-mailed by the BHA with a reminder at least four weeks before renewal is due, although it is the jockey’s absolute responsibility to be aware of when their licence expires and to submit a renewal within a reasonable timeframe. (With the use of technology, it would seem obvious to set reminders in mobile phones to avoid any oversight.)
In addition to the administrative work required by Licensing, the BHA Medical Team are also required to clear jockeys’ licences, and with some recent staff changes within that department it is essential that the two-week timeframe is respected.
Jockeys who forget to renew within the required timeframe are asked to take on board their responsibility to apply in future in good time for a renewal, and are respectfully advised that e-mails and phone calls to BHA Licensing only hinder the process whilst time is taken up in responding rather than actually being able to work through processing applications.
Please be assured that the BHA will do all that they can to process all applications as fast as possible. Thank you.
The Amateur Jockeys Association is delighted to announce that a charity race in support of Greatwood will take place at Newbury Racecourse on Thursday 9th June.
The race is to be run over ten furlongs and will feature 12 experienced riders from a diverse demographic. Applications for entries are now open with each rider expected to raise a minimum sponsorship of £2,500.
For an application form and race conditions, please e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com.
Greatwood was the first charity to use former racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with Special Educational Needs. For anyone who wishes to support the charity, please e-mail sasha@greatwoodcharity.org
Mandatory COVID-19 testing for Weighing Room entry is to end earlier than scheduled, following the confirmation of changes to self-isolation rules in England.
Those working in the Weighing Room from today, Thursday 24 February, will no longer be required to present evidence of a negative lateral flow test prior to entry.
The adjustment to racing’s timetable for easing restrictions reflects the reduced business continuity risk to the industry from changes to self-isolation requirements and the downward trend COVID-19 infection data.
Regular self-testing will still be encouraged. Anyone testing positive for the virus will be advised to stay at home, in line with government guidance, until they can demonstrate evidence of negative tests.
Access to the Weighing Room will continue to be restricted to essential personnel, while existing infection control measures within the complex will remain in place for the time being to help minimise the risk of transmission.
While self-isolation rules have changed in England, people living, traveling or working in Scotland and Wales should continue to follow the legal requirement to self-isolate and wear face coverings indoors, as mandated by the Scottish and Welsh Governments.
Commenting on the changes to racing’s plans, BHA Chief Medical Adviser, Dr Jerry Hill, said:
“Throughout the pandemic, we have endeavoured to make evidence-based decisions that protect our people and safeguard the industry against COVID-19-related disruption.
“In recent months, testing for Weighing Room personnel has been a crucial part of this strategy and I’d again like to thank everyone for their continued patience and cooperation.
“Changes to self-isolation rules, together with promising signs in infection data, enable us to bring forward the end to mandatory testing – although testing on a voluntary basis is still recommended.
“As emphasised previously, COVID-19 still exists, so please continue to do what you can to reduce your own risk and prioritise the health and livelihood of others.”
Please will all amateur jockeys note that due to a clash with Amateur races at Chelmsford, the BHA have kindly reprogrammed the two Amateur races at Southwell in February and March as follows:
6f Class 6 (46-65) 4+ Hcap will now be run on February 13th instead of the 11th as previously scheduled.
1m Class 6 (46-55) 4+ Hcap will now be run on March 15th instead of the 17th as previously scheduled.
Many thanks to the BHA and to Southwell Racecourse for their kind co-operation in facilitating this change to maximise opportunities for amateur jockeys on the racecourse.
