Category: Jockey News
15-11-2010
Back L to R: Derek Jackson, Niall Cronin, Annie Bowles, Jo Ewell, Julie Milner, Paul O’Leary; Front L to R: Suzie Gardner, Harry Derham, Alison Pocklington, Jamie Insole. Picture credits: AJA
Many congratulations to 10 valiant charity race jockeys who enjoyed riding around Cheltenham’s old course this afternoon in aid of Greatwood, the charity that not only provides sanctuary for racehorses but also supports children with learning difficulties by their unique programme Horse Power, and raised over £23,000 in the process.
Ireland was well represented with Barry Connell’s colours worn by PAUL O’LEARY, this year’s Newmarket Town Plate victor DEREK JACKSON, Ireland’s Evening Herald scribe NIALL CRONIN and Irish Field’s diarist and fiancée of Grand National winning trainer Gordon Elliott, ANNIE BOWLES. In addition, jockey’s nephew JAMIE INSOLE and Paul Nicholls’ nephew HARRY DERHAM lined up alongside SUZIE GARDNER from the TRIP project, JO EWELL winner of Larkhill’s 2007 charity race, local JULIE MILNER who rode in Cheltenham’s 1993 Red Nose charity race and ALISON POCKLINGTON, Yorkshire’s novice lady point-to-point champion 2007 who was celebrating her hen weekend!
The pace was set from flag fall by Annie Bowles on Wikaala, her regular ride at home, and she led the field from start to finish winning by 9 lengths and giving Ireland its only winner of the 3 day meeting. There was a race for second place which was won by Harry Derham on Font, 2 lengths ahead of Paul O’Leary on Ten Fires with Alison Pocklington ten lengths back in 4th on Winged Farasi.
Many congratulations to all our riders on a great spectacular finale to the Open Meeting, and immense thanks to all at Cheltenham Racecourse for making this possible.
13-11-2010
Congratulations to Sam Twiston-Davies on a fantastic win today in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham. Currently leading conditional jockey aged 18, Sam is reigning runner-up to Oliver Greenall in last season’s NH Amateur Champion Jockey Championship.
Also congratulations to Harry Challoner, Charlie Huxley, Brian Toomey, Peter Toole and Jimmy Derham who also won today across the UK. What a great day for those who chose the amateur ranks to gain experience before turning professional.
12-11-2010
Well done to James Banks on a great win in the opening race of Cheltenham’s Open Meeting, the Irish Times Amateur Chase.
His guv’nor Alan King was full of praise for his amateur jockey after he bided his time on RUSTARIX, taking a narrow lead two out and staying on well under pressure on the run-in to win by a length.
Trainer Alan King said “I hoped he would run well. He’s a horse that usually comes on for a run so I am very pleased. They never missed a beat and James gave him a corking ride. Win, draw or lose he could not have ridden him better. I am very pleased with him. He’s a big asset to the yard. He works hard and he’s got ability.”
Congratulations to winning connections! James has been based at Barbury Castle for three years and recently represented Great Britain for FEGENTRI in a race in Bremmen.
11-11-2010
The inaugural running in Great Britain of the Tri Nations Challenge was held today at Ludlow, following France’s hosting of the first race in the series back in July at Pompadour when Miles Seston was victorious for Great Britain. After a strong entry of 17 runners, disappointingly only 5 were declared.
Miles Seston (GB), Jean-Philippe Boisgontier (F), Richard Harding (I), James Carroll (I), Florent Guy (F), M Jean de Bretizel (President French amateur club)
Many congratulations to France’s Jean-Philippe Boisgontier who rode his first winner in Great Britain when partnering Neil Mulholland’s game JUST THE JOB to produce his 3rd win from 4 runs this month.
Picture credits: AJA
07-11-2010
A team of 5 British lady jockeys flew off to Ireland for the annual Anglo/Irish challenge at Limerick today thanks to the kind invitation of Russell Ferris, the team being Lucy Alexander, Lorna Brooke, Alex Dunn, Joanna Mason and Emma Sayer.
L to R: Russell Ferris of Limerick Racecourse with the victorious GB team: Lucy Alexander, Lorna Brooke, Pat Masterson of Newton Abbot Racecourse, winning jockey Alex Dunn and Emma Sayer
Sadly Joanna’s ride was a non-runner but nothing could take away from a thrilling race with Alex Dunn and Lorna Brooke leading the field over the final two hurdles. Mantell handled the deep ground well and the nine year old brought up a double for the John Joe Walsh yard by landing the Great Britain v Ireland Ladies Challenge Handicap Hurdle under Alex Dunn, who got the better of her compatriot Lorna Brooke on Brave Heart at the last with Mantell staying on well on the run-in to score by four and a half lengths. Lucy Alexander finished a further 6 lengths away in fourth, having been handy most of the way but Young Milly kept on one paced from three out, whilst Emma Sayer‘s ride on Tony’s Treasure weakened from 3 out and finished tailed off.
The return match at Newton Abbot next summer is now eagerly awaited. Well done team GB!
07-11-2010
Many thanks to Jacqueline Coward and to Pip Tutty for taking on the role of organising the AJA Dance in the North
They chose York Racecourse to host the party which saw over 160 member support them and a good time was had by all.
Oliver Greenall received his cup from AJA Vice President Dr Philip Pritchard for his NH Championship of 2009/10.
Other champions are:
Lady NH Jockey Champion 2009/10: Isabel Tompset
All-Weather Jockey Champion 2009/10 : Serena Brotherton
Flat Gentleman Champion 2010: Simon Walker
Flat Lady Champion 2010: Serena Brotherton
Huge thanks to Pip and to Jacqueline for all of their hard work in putting on such a good evening, dancing to the Zooms, resulting in a healthy profit which will help to fund amateur races next season.
Picture credits: AJA
04-11-2010
The AJA organised a charity race today at Towcester in support of the Injured Jockeys Fund with 6 runners and riders. (pictured above L to R: David Weston, Natasha Eddery, Kimberley Drake, Jane Clarke, Serena Frost and Peter Johnson)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qETDZ3Qab4Q
Many congratulations to Natasha Eddery on her winning ride when making her debut racecourse appearance. Congratulations and thanks also to all the other riders on a great race and for their great support as well the Towcester officials, and especially Clerk of the Course Robert Bellamy, for making this race possible.
Picture credits: AJA
30-10-2010
Wuhan hosted the first international race ever to include lady amateur jockeys today when they rode against male professionals in the Singapore Turf Club Goodwill Cup.
Congratulations to Germany whose lady rider Karen Schmitt was fourth, with the first three places filled by the male jockeys. Unfortunately several of the lady riders, including Great Britain’s Serena Brotherton, completed a circuit which was regarded as a false start and had to re-run. Serena said “Those of us who completed the course did not realise it was a false start because there was no recall flag. My horse went for a furlong and a half but then she was cooked so I let her come home in her own time.”
27-10-2010
Congratulations to both MILES SESTON and PIP TUTTY for winning rides today at Musselburgh and Nottingham respectively.
Pip Tutty led in to the winner’s enclosure at Nottingham this evening on Hurricane Thomas who also won the Best Turned Out award.
This was Miles’s third and Pip’s second flat winning ride of the season and puts Miles into joint runner-up slot on 3 wins alongside Phil Collington and Justin Newman with Simon Walker retaining his claim (with 5 wins) on the Gentlemen’s Flat Championship for an incredible 7th time. (In addition, in September Simon retained his Bollinger title at the end of that series with Miles winning the runner-up slot.)
Serena Brotherton also retains her title of Lady Flat Champion Jockey for a 4th time with an incredible tally of 8 winners this season and the ladies’ runner-up slot is shared by Louise Allen and Racheal Kneller with 3 wins each.
Many congratulations to all amateur jockeys who have enjoyed winning rides this season.
Picture credits: AJA
26-10-2010
We are organising a charity race in aid of GREATWOOD at Cheltenham on Sunday 14th November. One of our riders, Michelle Baldwin, has raised all of the sponsorship money required but now desperately needs a horse as hers has just gone wrong. Please can you help? The race is for horses rated 80 to 125 and is over 1 mile 5 furlongs. Michelle rode in the People’s Race at Aintree and so you know she can ride! Please call the AJA on 01886 884488 or e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com if you can help.
