Category: Jockey News
10-01-2016
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2015 Annual General meeting of the AJA will be held on Tuesday 26th January 2016 at 12:00 noon at The Pheasant Inn, Ermin Street, Shefford Woodlands, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 7AA when the following ordinary business will be considered:
– to receive apologies for absence
– to consider and if thought fit to approve and confirm the Minutes of the previous AGM and to authorise the President to sign them
– to receive and consider the report of the directors
– to receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive
– to receive and consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution adopting the accounts for twelve months ending 31 December 2014. The accounts are now completed and copies will be available at the AGM. Alternatively, on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope, copies will be sent to members on written request
– to consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution electing directors. (a) The following director retires at the AGM in accordance with Regulations 26.1 and 26.2 and offers himself for re-election: Richard Dunwoody (nominated by Philip Pritchard and seconded by Bob Davies ). Should any other person wish to stand for election as a director he or she is referred to the provisions of regulation 27.
– to re-appoint Dr L A Cotterill as auditors and to authorise the directors to fix their remuneration
.
Dated: 10th January 2016
By order of the board
01-12-2015
Many congratulations to leading amateur David Noonan on an amazing November which saw him enjoy 11 winning rides including two doubles in a fortnight, one at Taunton last week and another the week before at Plumpton (below) for Neil Mulholland with ASHCOTT BOY in a thrilling finish.
David’s decision to remain amateur last season to give himself a good grounding whilst attached to David Pipe’s has paid dividends and he has now decided that the time is right for him to turn conditional.
Following his recent successes, David said “Its unbelievable, especially the last few weeks, the rides and winners I’m getting. I can’t ask for more. You can’t beat practice and I’m getting plenty of it. I’d like to think I’ve impressed people over the last year or so and they’re giving me opportunities. For David to have confidence to put me up, I get a lot of confident from that and other trainers are watching. I try to watch as much racing and replays as I can and if I’m riding something I haven’t ridden I try to speak to a jockey who has ridden the horse to have a picture built.
“I suppose getting down to 5 lbs was a first milestone and a great achievement. I’ve spoken to David and my agent Dave Roberts and we feel now is the time to turn conditional.”
We wish David every success in his future professional career. Whilst David awaits his professional licence, he currently holds the leading place in the gentlemen jump jockeys’ amateur championship with an impressive 19 wins so far this amateur season with Stan Sheppard currently runner-up with 7 wins.
30-11-2015
A great partnership which enjoyed three successes last season was victorious again at Plumpton today when Zac Baker and Godfrey Maundrell’s mare TAMBURA won the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle in dramatic style.
Behind in the early stages of the race and seemingly struggling to keep pace with the field, the mare was urged along by Zac to take second position three out. Zac drove her to challenge at the penultimate flight but she wandered and was more than a length down at the last only to lead soon after and keep on resolutely to win by half a length.
Well done to Zac who gave the mare an impressive ride. Standing at 6 foot 1 inch and weighing 10 stone 8 lbs, Zac had to spend 2 hours in the sauna before racing to make the weight. Many congratulations to all winning connections.
18-11-2015
Many congratulations to Lorna Brooke, the sole lady amateur from GB riding in the inaugural running of the Today FM Ladies Handicap Chase victorious with 25/1 outsider MOONLONE LANE.
Leading riders Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry were the star names in the 12 runner field which also included GB conditional Lizzie Kelly. It was the British pair who shared the lead before the home turn but Lizzie Kelly’s mount RIGHTVILLE BOY began to falter when they turned into the straight. Meanwhile the other joint-favourite ON THE SHANNON was being patiently ridden by Katie Walsh but blundered at the final fence. That allowed MOONLONE LANE to go on and score by 3/4 of a length with RIGHTVILLE BOY a further 14 lengths back in third.
Well done Lorna!
18-11-2015
Thanks to the initiative of Peter Roe, General Manager of the home of the Irish Grand National, Fairyhouse Racecourse, today sees the inaugural running of a pro/am ladies chase: The Today FM Ladies Handicap Chase.
Ireland’s leading ladies Katie Walsh, Nina Carberry and Rachael Blackmore are amongst the jockeys taking part in the first all-female chase under Rules to be held in Ireland. GB is represented by amateur Lorna Brooke who rides 20/1 shot Monotone Lane and by conditional Lizzie Kelly.
Peter Roe said “We are delighted to have 12 runners declared for the first all-female chase under rules to be run in Ireland. It has exceeded our expectations. We are looking forward to an exciting race with the best lady jockeys from Ireland and Great Britain.”
Good luck ladies!
18-11-2015
Huge congratulations to our joint lady Flat Champion Jockey Joanna Mason on many achievements this year, having recovered from breaking her back in 2 places and helped in her return to full fitness by her faithful steed 13-year-old retrained racehorse LIVERPOOL.
Not the best of racehorses, Liverpool was passed on to Jo’s father Ian by her grandfather Mick Easterby in 2010 and together the partnership have enjoyed hunting, showing, side saddle and show jumping. Their crowning glory came on Monday night when Liverpool was crowned The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year at the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket
Picture credits: AJA
14-11-2015
With the recent suggestion by AP McCoy of the need for lady jockeys to be given a 3 lbs allowance because of their sex’s inferior strength, the argument was put to bed in fine style by Nina Carberry when riding a double at Cheltenham yesterday.
In customary fashion she won the cross country for Edna Bolger in brilliant style with JOSIES ORDERS. She followed up in the Cheltenham Club Amateur Riders Chase on favourite KNOCK HOUSE for Mick Channon, denying James Slevin by a neck who was aboard OXBRIDGE for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Meanwhile up North Catherine Walton won the hurdle at Hexham with NATIVE OPTIMIST.
Today produced further evidence of the strength in the ladies changing room. Here in the UK Gina Andrews won the Mares’ Hurdle for Pam Sly at Wetherby whilst on her return home to Ireland Nina Carberry went on to win the Risk of Thunder Chase in a 16 runner field at Punchestown for Edna Bolger with QUANTITATIVEEASING!
Well done ladies!
14-11-2015
The finales of both the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship and the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship were held in Abu Dhabi on Sunday 8th November to round off HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival’s Conference attended by all jockeys who had participated in both series during the year.
Great Britain was represented during 2015 by apprentices Jack Gilligan (Kentucky) Rob Hornby (Sandown and Sao Paulo, Brazil), Aaron Jones (Kazan, Russia), Luke Leadbitter (Poland), Rowan Scott (Sacramento, USA), Sophie Killoran (Poland), Sophia Cox (France) and in the ladies series (includes both professionals and amateurs) by Anna Hesketh (Australia), Racheal Kneller (St Moritz), Ann Stokell (Stockholm), and amateurs Jodie Hughes (Oman), Lorna Brooke (Bahrain and Poland), Becky Smith (Texas), Stefania Gandola (Lingfield), Alex Dunn (Netherlands), Hannah Watson (California) and Page Fuller (Belgium).
With all winning jockeys invited to ride in their respective finales, it was a proud moment to have 3 victorious ladies riding for Great Britain: Ann Stokell, Becky Smith and Page Fuller. Sadly both Ann and Page finished down the field but Becky had a great run riding Haizoom for Festival patron Sheikh Mansoor, finishing 2nd to Switzerland’s professional Astrid Wullschleger.
Many congratulations to Becky on such a successful outcome and huge thanks to Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, for providing so many unique racing experiences for all jockeys worldwide.
12-11-2015
A veteran of pony racing, Abbie McCain enjoyed a first ride under Rules in The Robin Morland Memorial Amateur Hurdle, prominent throughout with DANCEINTOTHELIGHT, only to be headed after the last by Stan Sheppard and in form trainer Kerry Lee’s SCALES. Stan went on to score by 3 lengths to make it 6 wins now this season, just 4 behind leading jockey David Noonan. Stan is based with Paul Nicholls.
Proud fathers of jockey and trainer (above) – trainer Matt Sheppard and Richard Lee.
Many congratulations to winning connections.
Picture credits: AJA
07-11-2015
With multiple Flat champion amateur Simon Walker clocking up winners in customary fashion, it seemed that the 2015 season might result in what has become a predictable conclusion. Simon has been crowned Amateur Gentleman Flat Champion Jockey no less than 8 times (2005, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and joint champion in 13) and taken the runner-up position in all other intervening years. His 3rd win of the 2015 season on 6th October at Catterick therefore seemed to hint at another title in the bag. However, jumps trainer Warren Greatrex’s son Tom was yet to prove to be a hugely promising jockey addition to the amateur ranks.
Within the last few remaining weeks of the season, 17 year old Tom Greatrex rode an impressive 5 winners, the first being at Royal Windsor on 5th October with DREAMS OF GLORY for Ron Hodges (in a race restricted to riders who had ridden no more than 10 winners and therefore cannot count towards the championship). (see below inside rail white cap)
His return to Windsor on 19th October yielded another win, this time for Harry Dunlop with RUM SWIZZLE (photo finish with Sam Waley-Cohen on George Baker’s LOVING YOUR WORK). This was followed by a memorable double (below) at Leicester on 26th October when Tom took both divisions of the Fosse Way Amateur Riders’ Handicap with Brendan Powell’s CHAMPAGNE BOB and Richard Price’s UNCLE DERMOT.
Finally on 4th November Tom won the AJA gentlemen’s finale at Nottingham with Gary Moore’s TOP DIKTAT, winning by 3/4 of a length from the all time champion Simon Walker!
Tom, twin brother of Edward Greatrex (who is apprenticed to Andrew Balding and famed for his success this summer aboard Godolphin’s Musaddas), is attached to David Pipe’s yard and only had his first ride as a 16 year old on 26th January of this year in an AJA sponsored hurdle race at Ludlow. He is a great example of the usefulness of the amateur route as a training ground and we send him huge congratulations for such a great start to his career.
Congratulations also to champion Simon Walker on his consistent position at the top of the tables over so many years. In addition Simon has also been crowned Champion Jockey of the Arabian Racing Organisation. Simon and Tom share this year’s title of Gentleman Amateur Champion Jockey with 4 wins each.
