Category: Jockey News
02-07-2016
Very many congratulations to our multiple lady Flat Champion Serena Brotherton on reaching a career milestone when riding her 100th Flat winner at Nottingham today! This might sound like a repeat of an earlier post as in fact Serena’s century was reached at Lingfield last month when she won with her own CITY GROUND, but that winning total included one Hunterchase and she had to wait a little longer before reaching her own personal goal of 100 Flat winners.
The full Flat century came excruciatingly close only yesterday at The Champion Hurdle Meeting in Jersey when Serena made what has become an annual pilgrimage to the Channel Isles with City Ground. Sadly the rain softened ground denied them success but today’s Nottingham victory was easily achieved with Rebecca Bastiman’s INDIAN CHIEF who followed up his win at Chepstow on Tuesday and, never in any danger, won very comfortably by 7 lengths.
Many congratulations again to Serena on this unique record and here’s to many more winners!
28-06-2016
A very happy 25th Birthday was enjoyed yesterday at Pontefract by Emily Bullock when she timed to perfection her first ever career winner!
About 50 Pontefract members had been given a tour of Richard Fahey’s yard yesterday morning and their day must have been made complete when watching the first race, The Audrey Martin Memorial Ladies’ Handicap for Lady Amateur Riders.
With Emily riding BELLE TRAVERS for Richard Fahey, the partnership tracked the leaders, moving into second 2 furlongs out before going clear entering the home straight and maintaining their advantage all the way to the winning post. Belle Travers won by 4 1/2 lengths from Harriet Dukes and OBBOORR, with Serena Brotherton and WOTABREEZE another length and 1/4 back in 3rd.
“Its a great feeling” said Emily. “I’ve been with Richard for two and a half years and had a few rides and I’ve been waiting for this.” Many congratulations Emily and here’s to many more!
26-06-2016
Amateur jockeys headed to Cartmel Racecourse today for the 2nd running of the Anglo Irish Handicap hurdle won last year by Richard Deegan for Ireland. 2 teams of 4 went to post with Ireland represented by Roger Quinlan, Declan Queally, Aileen O Sullivan and Helen Mooney whilst GB was represented by John Dawson, Harry Reed, Jodie Hughes and Claire Hart. David Symes-Meineck made up the field of 9 runners.
Having won the Best Turned Out, Martin Todhunter’s WISTY cut out the running on the softening ground, incessant rain falling from early afternoon. John Dawson made all and was able to maintain a good gallop in the energy sapping ground to stay on well and score for GB by 1 3/4 lengths from Ireland’s Roger Quinlan on James Moffatt’s BORUMA. Ireland’s Aileen O’Sullivan just held on for 3rd by a short head on James Ewart’s SLEEP IN FIRST from fellow team mate Declan Quealy 4th.
Congratulations to John on a great ride! Huge thanks to Anthea Morshead, Jonathan Garratt and all at Cartmel Racecourse for hosting such special race. The score is now 1 all! The next question is, can GB take the Ladies Diamond Hurdle eagerly awaited which takes place back at Cartmel on 16th July and was won last year by Ireland’s Lisa O’Neill!
Picture credits: AJA
11-06-2016
HUGE congratulations to 20 year old Emily Easterby, daughter of trainer Tim and sister of amateur jockey William, on riding her first career winner today at York when partnering SNOANA in the Queen Mother’s Cup! This was no mean feat with this race now being the richest ladies race within the ladies amateur calendar!
With a fast pace set up in front by Yorkidding, Masterpayer and Sign Manual on the rain softened ground, Emily was happy to bide her time, no doubt remembering her father’s instructions to ride as if riding work back home. She came through in the final furlong (with cousin Jo Mason on the rail who finished 3rd) to deny Fionn McSharry by half a length as they passed the post. Emily said “I knew he had a chance, but he’s been crying out for rain this season and it finally came, although I thought Katie (Walsh on NAYEL) would win. I could feel the other horse catching us and I never thought the post would come. I enjoy riding as an amateur but I don’t think I’ll turn pro.” Emily’s father Tim said “Its absolutely amazing. We were delighted the rain came when it did. We walked the course and I told her to just ride it like it was a piece of work and keep going. With William (son) winning at the last meeting it’s great. A mile and a half might be as far as SNOANA wants buts he’ll probably get an Ebor entry now.”
Well done Emily on a fantastic start to a career which no doubt will have many more wins to follow! As is traditional with this unique race, Emily was presented with her own weight in champagne courtesy of GH Mumm Champagne following the race 🍾🏆🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾💃🍾
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.
19-04-2016
Many congratulations to Sam Coltherd who enjoyed a double yesterday at Hexham Racecourse to take his tally of wins for the season to 9.
His first ride of the afternoon was on SUPRISE VENDOR for his trainer father Stuart, comprehensively out jumping his 7 rivals to win the 2 mile Handicap Chase with ease.
By contrast, the 14 year old OCKEY DE NEULLIAC looked to be the comfortable winner of the Hunterchase when jumping the last, only to weaken nearing the line!
He just held on to win by a neck and deny Kit Alexander and WICKLOW LAD.
Sam’s season’s tally of 9 winners so far takes him to join Michael Legg in 3rd place in this season’s rankings for the men’s Jump Championship. Well done Sam!
13-04-2016
Congratulations to amateur jockey Michael Legg who won this afternoon when riding Voix D’Eau against professional jockeys for Harry Fry in the Teenage Cancer Silver Trophy Chase at Cheltenham. A great ride!
Interestingly, 2 years ago today Michael rode Thistlecrack to win the bumper at Wincanton!
Well done Michael!
