Category: Jockey News
02-02-2015
This coming weekend sees the Fegentri General Assembly 2015 hosted by the Norwegian Amateur Club in Oslo on Saturday 7th February, a country which provided Alice Mills with a winning ride at Ovrevoll in June. The AJA are no longer members of Fegentri following our decision to leave the Federation at the end of 2014 which leaves us now ineligible to attend the 2015 GA as dictated by Fegentri rules. We believe that Fegentri cannot serve our best needs whilst current rules restrict representation of amateur riders to just 2 individual jockeys per country, especially considering the large costs incurred. Unfortunately our repeated request for a “Team GB” in order to fully share out race riding opportunities was dismissed, as was our request to become “sleeping members” for 2015 whilst we have grave reservations regarding seemingly idiosyncratic rules currently in place. The AJA CEO Sarah Oliver has therefore resigned from the Fegentri Board. Her Royal Highness Princess Haya of Jordan has also resigned recently as Fegentri’s Patron.
A successful 2014 was enjoyed by Alice Mills and Freddy Tett, our 2014 GB representatives, and many congratulations to them both on achieving second place on points won throughout the season, reaching the runner-up slot in both the Lady and Gentleman World Championships respectively. However, as Freddy’s sole win during the season was on home ground (Nottingham), unfortunately due to Fegentri ruling he is not allowed to enjoy this position and is disqualified altogether from the ranking. His Corta Testa (short head) defeat in Rome makes this ruling even more bitterly disappointing.
Alice enjoyed winning rides in not only Ovrevoll, Norway but also The Curragh, Ireland as well as both Baden-Baden and Cologne in Germany. Sadly Alice is unable to attend the Gala Dinner in Oslo to collect her prize, with a weekend of rides booked point-to-pointing on home turf, but Freddy is travelling to Norway where he will collect a consolation prize for his achievements.
Great Britain have also won the 2014 Fegentri World Cup of Nations Series (and as far as we know there is no ruling to take this victory away from us!). Many congratulations to those jockeys who helped us win this: Steven Fox (Pisa, Italy) (Wayne Hogg non-runner), (Page Fuller (WON in Maisons Laffitte, France, Tom Hamilton unplaced), Freddy Tett (3rd Deauville, France), Megan Nicholls (3rd Royal Windsor) and Harry Bannister (2nd Delaware Park, USA and WON Parx, USA with his horse having its first ever run!)
29-01-2015
The EU Commission withdrew EN 1384 as an acceptable Standard at the end of 2014. Being well aware that the BHA recently insisted that every jockey must update Skull Caps, they have agreed that for the purpose of on-going compliance with the requirements of Rule Schedule (D)2, the existing (BS or CSN) EN 1384:2012 Standard will remain an acceptable Standard until 31st December 2016. Please therefore note the amended Schedule:
Schedule (D)2 – Equipment
PART 1
Skull caps and safety vests
Design of skull cap
1. A skull cap is approved by the Authority if it meets (BS) EN 1384: 2012*, PAS 015: 2011 or (CSN) EN 1384: 2012*.
2. The skull cap must not have a chin cup, cradle or draw lace.
3. The chin strap must pass under the jaw and be attached to the harness by a quick release buckle.
4. The skull cap must not have metal hooks.
* (BS) EN 1384: 2912 and (CSN) EN 1384: 2012 will be removed as acceptable standards on and after 1 January 2017.
Fitting of skull cap
5.1 The skull cap must be of the correct size for the Rider and must be correctly fitted and fastened.
5.2 The face harness must be correctly adjusted and the chin strap fastened at all times when the Rider is mounted on a horse.
Design of safety vests
6. A safety vest must conform to (BS) EN 13158: 2000 (level 1 only)*, (BS) EN 13158: 2009 or (CSN) EN 13158: 2009.
7. A safety vest must not be
7.1 modified in any way, or
7.2 attached to the horse or any equipment carried by the horse.
*see ‘Forthcoming Rule Changes’ on 3 November 2014 for further change effective from 1 April 2015.
28-01-2015
Excellent to see not only the winning partnership of Alice Mills and Monkerty Tunkerty on the front page of today’s Racing Post but also Monday’s Ludlow winning jockey Rob Hawker wearing the winning red and white quartered colours too!
26-01-2015
It was a busy day today for amateurs with races both at Ludlow and Wolverhampton. Many congratulations to Robert Hawker who enjoyed success at Ludlow in the largest field of the day, with 17 runners in the AJA Amateur Riders Handicap Hurdle. Defying top weight on ASCENDANT for Johnny Farrelly, they won going way much to the delight of owner Alan Clegg who was visiting the course for the first time from his home in Plymouth.
Not so lucky was Brodie Hampson who sustained a broken collar bone when her horse ARISTOCRACY fell at the third last when still well on contention. Get well soon Brodie!
Meanwhile over at Wolverhampton 2014 Epsom Gentlemen’s Derby winning jockey Ross Birkett landed the 6f handicap on WATERLOO DOCK who was running for the first time on Tapeta. All did not go to plan with front running tactics in mind as the horse reared when the stalls opened, but Ross kept the horse wide and enjoyed a game win. This was a great send off for Ross who leaves Newmarket for Australia in a week to work for Gai Waterhouse in Sydney where he will be riding 12 lots a morning. The 3-month trip was won by Ross under the Alex Scott scholarship scheme and will keep him in great shape before returning to the UK in May.
Picture credits: AJA
19-01-2015
Amateur riders are being offered advice from former professional jockeys as part of the British Horseracing Authority’s Jockey Coaching Programme (JCP).
A series of workshops run by former professional jockeys are being put together. While initially set up to benefit conditional and apprentice jockeys, the BHA has recognised the importance of including amateur and point-to-point riders. An increasing number of young people – many having ridden in pony races – are now spending a season or two as amateurs before turning professional.
Gill Greeves, the BHA’s vocational training manager, says: “The very successful BHA Jockey Coaching Programme is growing from strength to strength with the recent launch of Regional Coaching Workshops. For an introductory period we are pleased to invite amateur riders to join this exciting new initiative – receiving expert tuition and advice from professional coaches can only benefit them, and I am sure amateur riders will gain by attending one of these workshops.”
The workshops will review and enhance technical and tactical skills, discuss fitness and nutrition and evaluate race-riding skills. A fee of £10 will apply.
Two dates for the JCP workshops:
27 January: British Racing School, Newmarket, (6 – 9pm) with Michael Tebbutt
5 February: Northern Racing College, Doncaster, (4 – 7pm) with Tom O’Ryan.
Riders should contact Jennie Durrans on 01638 665103 or e-mail jennie@brs.org.uk.
15-01-2015
Many congratulations to Alice Mills, who enjoyed an unforgettable victory today and the biggest win of her career when partnering MONKERTY TUNKERTY for owner-trainer Jess Westwood in the Somerset National at Wincanton.
Riding with supreme patience, Alice held her horse up until creeping into the picture and taking up the lead two from home. Monkerty Tunkerty stayed on well to draw clear from the last and be pushed out to win effortlessly by 10 lengths.
This was a particularly impressive performance considering how the 12-year-old horse sustained a career threatening cut to his leg in this same race last year. He was lovingly nursed back to health by devoted Jess Westwood, herself an ex-amateur jockey whose riding career was cruelly cut short by a serious head injury sustained in a point-to-point fall 3 years ago.
Alice said: “Today I just let him travel within himself and he pulled his way to the front. Once he found his stride he was fabulous. Jess has done a brilliant job to bring him back so well after almost a year off. She gets her horses straight and knows Monkerty inside out; she was confident he still had it.”
31-12-2014
It is with great sadness that the AJA announce the death of their Honorary Vice President, legendary amateur rider Bill Shand Kydd, who died on 27th December aged 77. A man who possessed immense charm, great courage and charisma, one of his greatest assets was his unfailing sense of humour.
Bill rode 45 winners under Rules as well as more than 100 point-to-point winners. His rides included winning the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham on FOREMAN in 1973 and he trained BLACK BAIZE to win the Kim Muir in 1971 (ridden by Lord Oaksey, then riding as Mr John Lawrence). Bill also rode in the 1966 Grand National. As a National Hunt breeder he bred HIGH BOARD, the dam of MORLEY STREET and GRANVILLE AGAIN, as well as BROWN WINDSOR, winner of the Whitbread Gold Cup in 1989.
Following a catastrophic injury whilst team chasing in 1995 which left him paralysed from the neck, Bill relished his role as Vice President of the Amateur Jockeys Association and played a very real and active part. In spite of his life changing injuries, he was always upbeat and never had a moment of depression; nothing illustrates more clearly his tremendous strength of character.
Bill also devoted much time and energy to raising vast amounts of money for the charity Spinal Research as well as Spinal Injuries Association. He helped to organise charity races, lunches and dinners, as well as tandem skydiving out of a plane at 12,000 feet. He also participated in the Great North Run no less than 3 times, being pushed around the 13-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields in a special lightweight wheelchair by a team of 4 runners made up of 2 friends, a godson and his son Caspar.
Frustratingly, Bill’s health deteriorated in recent months and he died peacefully at home the day after Boxing Day. His funeral is being held privately and a memorial service is planned in due course with details to follow.
04-12-2014
Many congratulations to Michael Legg who enjoyed success at Wincanton today aboard QUITE BY CHANCE riding for Colin Tizzard in the rewards4racing.com Chase, a qualifying race for the Jockey Club’s Grassroots Jumps Series. Always handy, Michael enjoyed a great jumping performance from his horse in only Quite By Chance’s third time over fences. Congratulations to all winning connections.
04-12-2014
Many congratulations to Jo Mason who enjoyed a winning ride for trainer Anabel Murphy at Wolverhampton on Monday aboard INDIAN SCOUT displaying fine front-running tactics and followed up for the same trainer/owner Ridgeway Racing Club combination with victory at Lingfield less than 48 hours later with CROUCHING HARRY!
02-12-2014
Champions Christmas Dance for the INJURED JOCKEYS FUND
SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2014
CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE GOLD CUP SUITE
BLACK TIE * 7:30-1:30 * MUSIC & DANCING
tickets @ £50 include 3-course dinner
top class raffle
Amateur Champions Awards
TICKET HOTLINE: 01886 884488 or 01933 304778
TABLES OF 10 CAN BE RESERVED – BOOK NOW!
Bookings taken by phone or via e-mail: sph.oliver@btinternet.com
Please post cheques payable to AJA to
Crews Hill House, Alfrick, Worcester. WR6 5HF
HUNTERS LODGE HOTEL CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE
STABLE LADS ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE WALKING DISTANCE FROM GOLD CUP SUITE!! CURRENT TARIFF: SINGLE £35 TWIN £52.50 TRIPLE £70 QUAD £75 PLEASE CALL 01242 513345 TO BOOK.
