THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN

Category: Jockey News

3 AMATEUR DERBIES LOOMING!!!

16-08-2010

Not only do we have our own Epsom Amateur Derby for ladies on 19th August and for gentlemen on 30th August but Ireland are now hosting their own Amateur Derby on 11th September at The Curragh.

The Curragh Racecourse is set to stage the first Amateur Riders Derby as part of the Autumn Festival of Racing on Saturday 11th September.  The race over 14 furlongs will have a total prize fund of €56,000 and will be open to all qualified riders.  The race is an exciting addition to an established international star studded program featuring The Irish Field St Leger and Group 1 National Stakes

 

Paul Hensey, Racecourse General Manager commented “We are delighted to support this initiative which will be the fourth Derby to take place at the Curragh this year and we will work closely with the Qualified Riders Association to ensure we maximise all potential to attract the most competitive field of runners possible”. He added “We plan to make the race a permanent feature of the weekend which combines exceptional racing with great fashion, food and fun over two days.”

 

“We are very grateful to the Curragh for agreeing to stage the first Amateur Riders Derby, which will raise the profile of our association and give riders a huge trill to be able to take part in a race on such a prestigious day” said Ross O’Sullivan, Chairman of the Qualified Riders Association.  The County Kildare venue already stages the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Derby and Thalgo Ladies Derby.

 

For further information, please contact:  Paul Hensey or Evan Arkwright, The Curragh Racecourse and Ross O’Sullivan, Qualified Riders Association 00 353 87 6610811 

 

Clare Wills shines at Newton Abbot

10-08-2010

Congratulations to Clare Wills who rode a fine race to score on Massina Man against professionals in the 2 and a 1/2 mile novice chase at Newton Abbot today.  In spite of the horse making a terrible mistake at the 12th fence, Clare kept  him motivated to go on and win by a neck!

Clare has been assistant to trainer Brendan Powell since the day she left school – the same day that Brendan started training – and deserves every success for all of the hard work she puts in.

Ruth Jefferson leaps ahead for Fegentri

08-08-2010

Second this afternoon at The Curragh in the ladies Fegentri race, Ruth had non-nominated Fegentri riders both in front and behind her in 1st and 3rd places (Nina Carberry winning the race) and therefore her 12 points scored for the Fegentri series increases her world championship lead in the tables.  Many congratulations to Ruth on a great ride on an outsider this afternoon.

Cheltenham to host charity race on 14th November (revised date!)

07-08-2010

Riders are invited to apply for a place in a charity race to be held on 15th October 14th November at Cheltenham in aid of Greatwood.  For more information on this wonderful charity, please look at www.racehorsesgreatwood.org 

An application form is available by clicking on this link: greatwoodappform2010.doc

CHARITY SWEEPSTAKE 

15TH OCTOBER 14TH NOVEMBER 2010

IN AID OF

GREATWOOD

SUPPORTED BY THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION

RACE CONDITIONS

The British Horseracing Authority have granted exemptions from the effects of Rule A38 for this race as it is being run outside the Rules of Racing.  Therefore it will not count for any purposes on the horse’s career record.

For 4 year olds and upwards who have run at least twice 

under the recognised Rules of Racing

Distance – One mile, five furlongs, to be started by flag

Weight.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 stone 7 lbs

All horses to be rated 80-125 for hurdlers/steeplechasers

(also open to such horses rated 79 or below) 

0-80 for horses that have run twice in a NH flat race

Point-to-pointers can also run subject to individual clearance

All horses to be vaccinated in accordance with Rule E18/19 of the Rules of Racing 

This is an invitation race but riders are responsible for finding their own horses.  All riders must produce a medical certificate to confirm their fitness to ride for the Clerk of the Scales and must agree to receiving medical attention should it be deemed necessary if sustaining a fall during the race.  All riders must provide their own equipment including the new mandatory back protector and new skull cap as laid down under the Rules of Racing January 2002 Standards

Each rider will be insured for Personal Accident & Public Liability 

from Weighing Out until Weighing In

Each rider is requested to raise a minimum of £3000 in sponsorship

and must deposit £1500 of this by 15th September via the AJA.  

The outstanding £1500 must be paid by 8th October to enable the rider to take part.  

Each rider is requested to raise a minimum of £2500 in sponsorship

Any rider withdrawing their entry from this race at any time and 

for any reason will forfeit any sponsorship monies already lodged.

A Maximum of 12 riders only

Registered charity no: 1117322 

Ruth Jefferson heads the Fegentri ladies world championship tables after Deauville!

06-08-2010

img_3798.jpgA busy weekend in Deauville ended with Great Britain’s Ruth Jefferson heading the ladies table having been placed 4th in the ladies race on Saturday and 3rd in the ladies race on Sunday.  She now travels to The Curragh this Sunday where she rides the 25/1 outsider in a field of 10 runners but the points are currently close between the top five girls: Ruth for Great Britain on 133; Pauline Boisgontier for France on 127; Nina Wagner for Germany on 117; Tina Henriksson for Sweden on 107 and Cathrine Engebretsen for Norway on 103.  Ruth also rode in the Fegentri World Cup of Nations on Sunday where she was 4th.

Meanwhile Harry Challoner is lying 3rd in the gentlemen’s table for Great Britain.  The gentlemen’s world championship is headed by Florent Guy for France who cannot be beaten with 207 points already accumulated, but there is a challenge for the runner-up slot.  Paul Power for Ireland currently lies in 2nd place with 76 points and Harry has done well to accumulate 45 points already considering that he did not receive an invitation to ride in either Belgium, Spain or Auteuil, France. Harry finished 3rd in the World Cup of Nations on Sunday and he is photographed above with Ruth and AJA Vice-President Dr Philip Pritchard.

Picture credit:  AJA

STRATFORD HURDLE 19TH AUGUST OPEN TO ALL AMATEURS

05-08-2010

ATTENTION ALL TRAINERS!

Unfortunately both the Irish and French Fegentri gentlemen riders picked up bans in Clairefontaine on Monday.  As a result, and in order to comply with Fegentri ruling of 3 nominated riders’ participation, we  have cancelled Fegentri involvement with the AJA Handicap Hurdle scheduled at Stratford-upon-Avon on Thursday 19th August.

Although our race is published in the Racing Calendar (No 29 p 52 race no 50365), the race conditions for this race will be changed to a normal amateur rider’s race with the usual Safety Factor and there will be no ballot.

 

 

 

 

We very much hope that you will be happy to support us, particularly now that this race is not restricted to invitation-only jockeys, and we hope to see you at Stratford.

SEB SPENCER’S PONTY WIN TAKES HIM INTO LEAD FOR MEN’S FLAT TITLE

04-08-2010

Pontefract’s amateur rider’s handicap saw a family triumph won in great style when Seb Spencer rode Umverti for his trainer grandfather Neville Bycroft.

Seb is the trainer’s assistant and this was his second win of the season although his first was won in the stewards’ room.   Unusually up until today, there has not been a single gentleman amateur rider who has scored more than one winner so far this season and so Seb now heads the tables with his 2 wins.

TAKE ME OUT seeks jockeys!

27-07-2010

DO YOU WANT TO BE ON TV?

ARE YOU A SINGLE GUY OR GIRL?

TAKE ME OUT IS BACK AND WANTS JOCKEYS!

Take Me Out, ITV1’s big Saturday night dating show is back, and looking for single guys and girls to take part.

Host Paddy McGuinness is ready once again to play cupid and guide single ladies and a whole host of single men to find their perfect partner, but remember,no likey no lighty!

To apply to appear on the show or find out more:

Visit: www.itv.com/takemeout

Email: takemeout@talkbackthames.tv

Phone: 0207 691 6050

LET THE GIRLS SEE THE GUYS!

Calls are charged at national rate from BT landlines. Calls from other networks and mobiles may be higher. Please get the bill payers permission before calling. Please do not submit the details of another person without their permission.

Nika Vorster wins Ladies Northern Derby at Carlisle

25-07-2010

Congratulations to Nika Vorster who blazed a trail from start to finish at Carlisle today on Film Festival for Brian Ellison to storm home and win hard held.

Well done to Nika for whom this is only her second win having ridden her first winner earlier this season at Doncaster.

Congratulations also to Brian Ellison whose horses are in great form and who of course provided yesterday’s ladies race winner at Ascot.

HAT-TRICK SERENA WINS ASCOT’S LONGINES

24-07-2010

Making it three wins from her last three rides, Serena Brotherton stormed clear today at Ascot to win the Ladies Longines for Brian Ellison on Rosko.

With one non-runner (Emma Evans unable to get to the track in time) 17 runners went to post.  The field soon split and Serena was always handy in the stand side group to go clear as they reached the winning post with Rosko wearing blinkers for the first time in his career.

Many congratulations to Serena and to winning connections!