THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN
03-07-2015
Congratulations to Olympian cyclist Victoria Pendleton on safely completing her debut on the racecourse by riding in Newbury’s charity race last night. Having only started riding in April this year with an ambition to ride in Cheltenham’s Foxhunter 2016, Victoria applies for her amateur jockey’s licence in August. Under the guidance of Lawney Hill with support from Yogi Breisner, we wish her the best of luck.
27-06-2015
Although GB left Fegentri at the end of 2014, Norway were short on gentlemen jockeys for their Fegentri race on 25th June at Ovrevoll and invited the AJA to send along a British representative. Charlie Deutsch (colours: pink, blue stars) was pleased to accept and had a great trip, finishing 3rd. Well done Charlie! Many thanks to Helene Maxwell-Hauge, President of NOARK (Norwegian Club of Amateur Riders) for her club’s kind hospitality which was greatly appreciated.
23-06-2015
Congratulations to Bryony Frost who emerged victorious from a packed field of 16 runners and riders this evening in the lady amateur handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot. Riding her trainer father’s horse ARCHIE RICE prominently throughout and temporarily losing the pole position 2 out, she regained the lead before the last to stay on well and win by 4 1/2 lengths from Natalie Parker on the Philip Hobbs trained QUADRILLER.
Thankfully Pippa Glanville was unhurt when her saddle slipped after she was hampered on the bend before the 6th flight which gave her no chance of staying in the plate.
23-06-2015
Congratulations to Rachel Wilson who enjoyed success at Leicester this evening riding in the colours of her husband, Charlie, former Editor of The Times and owner of Red Invader. The partnership was outpaced early on but came with a perfectly timed run from last to first and denied Katie Margarson winning by a length.
Red Invader, successful in his previous run over the same trip at Chelmsford 5 days ago, was given a very patient ride with Rachel content to let the other runners bowl along in front. This allowed her horse to pick them off one by one to take the lead in the final furlong.
Rachel said “I’ve ridden him so many times but I got it right this time, I’m delighted. I walked the course and I knew I didn’t want to be coming to them going up that hill. I was able to be patient, which usually I’m not.”
Trainer Paul d’Arcy said “5 furlongs is ideal for Red Invader and it has all gone to plan. Rachel gave him a great ride. We discussed it and I thought they would go very quick. He will go where there is another amateur race for him, which is at Ayr.” A writer by profession who caught the eye of Gok Wan at Royal Ascot last week, what great material for Rachel to hone her creative skills whilst she looks forward to their next run in Scotland!
23-06-2015
Many congratulations to reigning Amateur Jumps Champion Harry Bannister who made his last ride as an amateur a winning one for Anabel Murphy at Brighton in the first amateur race not confined to ladies since 2004. Harry was hard at work on INDIAN SCOUT from 3 furlongs out and the horse stayed on dourly to lead with 150 yards to go, winning by 1 3/4 lengths. Harry now turns conditional and joins Warren Greatrex at Uplands in Lambourn. We wish him every success for the future.
21-06-2015
Well done Catherine Walton who enjoyed success for her trainer father Jimmy when partnering ROLL OF THUNDER in the last at Hexham tonight. Making all from start to finish, the partnership’s front running tactics paid off handsomely winning by just over a length.
18-06-2015
Many congratulations to Amie Waugh who enjoyed her first flat ride today when partnering the distinctive white faced TOURTIERE trained by Sean Regan.
The outsider at 80/1, the winning partnership stormed home by 5 lengths in the Beaumont Robinson Ladies Derby from favourite MERCHANT OF MEDICI and Becky Smith.
Well done Amie!
13-06-2015
Many congratulations to Laura Wilson who enjoyed her 5th career success today in fine style when winning the prestigious Queen Mother’s Cup at York aboard APTERIX for Brian Ellison. Settled in the rear for much of the race, Laura brought her horse with a late run to deny MARMION and INNOCENT TOUCH in the dying strides of the race and win in a thrilling finish by half a length. “I was stuck behind a wall of horses and when I got out I just started kicking and he picked up” said Laura. “I’ve ridden him a few times at Brian’s where I work, so I knew how good he was – I was more worried about me!” As in traditional style of this race, Laura won her weight in Mumm champagne and was duly weighed following her presentation of the silver Queen Mother’s cup. Laura told tv viewers that she would be sharing her 34 bottles of champagne with the yard when they returned home tonight – we wish Laura a great evening celebrating!
You can watch a re-run of the last stages of the race by copying and pasting this link:
http://www.chroma.premiumtv.co.uk/streaming/watch/RacingUKFlashVOD/partnerId_166/videoFileId_14950868/clipId_2519677/index.html
13-06-2015
Well done Joe Wright who partnered Minella Hero to win the Marie Curie Handicap Hurdle by 20 lengths today for in-form trainer Micky Hammond, the first winner of a treble on the day for the yard. This was Joe’s 1st ever winner in only his 3rd ever ride under Rules and his 2nd over hurdles and the ecstatic 17-year-old jockey said it felt “Absolutely unbelievable, really good!” Joe is a veteran of the pony racing circuit and is based with Micky Hammond at Oakwood Stables in Middleham. He added “I’d just like to say a big thanks to everyone at Micky Hammond Racing and especially to Kate Walton.”
01-06-2015
The end of the amateur jump season was celebrated on Friday evening at Stratford Racecourse where AJA President Dr Philip Pritchard presented our Champion Lady and Gentleman Jockeys with champagne.
HARRY BANNISTER was keeping his eye on the clock with a helicopter on stand-by to whisk him off to his 21st birthday celebrations at his family’s Conniston Hotel later that evening. He won the gentleman’s title with 13 winners, with CIARAN GETHINGS Reserve Champion on 10.
BRIDGET ANDREWS, now a successful conditional jockey having turned pro a few weeks ago, received her champagne having won the ladies championship with 12 wins. BRODIE HAMPSON was joined in the Reserve Champion slot by Bridget’s elder sister GEORGINA ANDREWS the same evening, with 6 winners each, after Gina enjoyed a thrilling Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunters Chase aboard riding star MOROMAN, winning by a head.
Many congratulations to both Champions and to all our jockeys who have enjoyed visiting the winner’s enclosure this season. We are proud of you!
Picture credits: AJA