THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN
10-05-2010
Many congratulations to Triple Flat Lady Champion Jockey Carol Bartley and her husband Gary on the birth of their son Archie James on Thursday 6th May at 7:12 pm weighing in at 7 lbs 8 oz. Mother and baby are doing well and we look forward to seeing Archie in the saddle before too long!
28-04-2010
The AJA are delighted to announce the Bollinger Champagne Gentleman Riders Series for 2010 which will consist of a total of 8 races this year as follows:
- 22nd May YORK
- 28th May NEWMARKET
- 10th June NEWBURY
- 23rd June SALISBURY
- 28th June MUSSELBURGH
- 7th Sept GOODWOOD
- 10th Sept CHESTER
- 24th Sept ASCOT (FINAL)
We are most grateful to Simon Leschallas and Bollinger for their steadfast support over many years and look forward to another great series.
17-03-2010
Ferdy Murphy provided Katie Walsh with POKER DE SIVOLA to outstay her close friend and rival Nina Carberry on BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE and win today’s National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
After jumping the final fence together, the two girls fought out a thrilling finish with Katie giving her horse a fine strong ride to score and leave her father Ted unusually lost for words whilst live on Channel Four.
Katie too was speechless and overcome with this, the biggest win of her career on what she described as “the best day of her life”.
Brother Ruby added “She works her heart out and I am delighted for her.”
Many congratulations to all connections on a great victory.
14-03-2010
POLLY GUNDRY achieved a personal target when she firstly equalled (on MULLIGAN PET) and then (aboard NED THE POST) broke Alison Dare’s record to claim the most wins ever ridden by a lady point-to-point jockey at Wadebridge today. It was especially satisfying for Polly when both winners were trained by she and her partner Ed Walker.
Polly said “It’s great to get the record, especially when you think of how many good riders there have been over the years. I haven’t set myself any targets. I’ve been lucky enough to win the Aintree Foxhunters and the Horse and Hound Cup, and the other big race I would love to win is the Cheltenham Foxhunters.”
Polly has won the ladies’ point-to-point title 7 times since she began point-to-pointing at the age of 16 in 1992. At the close of play today her winning total stands at 288.
Many congratulations to Polly who is such a great and modest ambassador for our sport.
11-03-2010
With only a few days to go until the start of Cheltenham Festival, a reminder for those of you with booked rides:
The following Complimentary Tickets and Badges will be issued on arrival at the main Club Entrance:
Amateur riders will be issued with a personal badge and one for a guest if required for the day on which they are riding, provided their name is published in the National Press as engaged to ride.
Amateur Riders whose names are not so published may purchase badges from the Club Office and the purchase price will be refunded, if they are subsequently declared to ride on that day, on application to the Clerk of the Course, Mr Simon Claisse, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, Glos.
Amateur riders who have purchased tickets in advance in excess of their requirements may apply for a refund in writing within 7 days of the meeting.
06-03-2010
Adam Wedge enjoyed the biggest success of his career to date by making all the running on Di Kaprio in the bumper at Doncaster and going on to score at 66-1 for his boss, trainer Chris Bealby.
This was only Adam’s second win under Rules but he enjoyed 9 point-to-point wins last season and has added to that tally with another couple of wins already this season. Many congratulations to Adam.
03-03-2010
A couple of places have become available in the charity race to be held at CHEPSTOW RACECOURSE on THURSDAY 25TH MARCH.
Great chance to gain experience for horse & rider, give point-to-pointer prep race or just have fun raising money for a good cause – local charity PAUL’S PLACE.
Riders also invited as guests at charity lunch.
For further details please e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com or call 01886 884488.
25-02-2010
An exciting climax to this season’s amateur all-weather championship saw 4 amateurs go into the finale at Wolverhampton on equal points of 12 each to contest the race for the title. Tension was added to the build-up with freezing weather causing racing uncertainty but the racecourse passed an early morning inspection to the delight of all concerned.
As predicted in the betting markets, the closing stages of the race were fought out between two jockeys at the top of the AW league tables – our two reigning Flat champions. Mick Easterby trained BRIGHT SPARKY stayed on gamely to give Serena Brotherton no cause for concern and her 3rd win on the dirt this season, 3/4 of a length ahead of Simon Walker and AMICAL RISKS.
Many congratulations to Serena for grasping the championship from dual successive reigning All-Weather Champion Simon Walker in literally the last strides of the season and in so doing, becoming the current reigning champion of two amateur championships. Congratulations are also due to Simon who has been either Champion or Vice-Champion of this series for the last 6 consecutive years, taking the Championship 3 times. (Both Simon and Serena are pictured above at Doncaster Racecourse in November when they received recognition for being Amateur Flat Champions 0f 2009.)
Congratulations to all amateurs who rode winners on the All Weather this season. The complete season’s points table will shortly appear within the tables section on this site.
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The 2009-2010 Amateur All-Weather Racing Championship |
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6th April 2009 to 22nd February 2010 |
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FINAL TABLE |
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NAME |
1st (5 points) |
2nd (2 points) |
3rd (1 point) |
TOTAL |
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Miss Serena Brotherton |
3 |
1 |
– |
17 |
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Mr Simon Walker |
1 |
4 |
1 |
14 |
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Mr Ross Birkett |
2 |
1 |
– |
12 |
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Mr Thomas David |
1 |
3 |
1 |
12 |
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Miss Lorraine Ellison |
2 |
– |
– |
10 |
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Mr Ben Hamilton |
2 |
– |
– |
10 |
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Mr James Banks |
1 |
1 |
– |
7 |
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Mr Oliver Greenall |
1 |
1 |
– |
7 |
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Mr Joshua Moore |
1 |
1 |
– |
7 |
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Mr Marcus Price |
1 |
– |
2 |
7 |
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Mr Stephen Harrison |
1 |
– |
1 |
6 |
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Mr Jeremiah McGrath |
1 |
– |
1 |
6 |
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Mr Philip Prince |
1 |
– |
1 |
6 |
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Mr Ben Brisbourne |
1 |
– |
– |
5 |
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Mr Chris Martin |
1 |
– |
– |
5 |
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Mr Michael Owen |
1 |
– |
– |
5 |
Picture credit: AJA
15-02-2010
With only one All-Weather amateur race programmed for the rest of the 2009-10 AW season on Monday next, 22nd February at Wolverhampton, the All-Weather Amateur Championship is open to several serious contenders. Current top table positions are:
|
NAME |
1st (5 points) |
2nd (2 points) |
3rd (1 point) |
TOTAL |
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Mr Ross Birkett |
2 |
1 |
– |
12 |
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Miss Serena Brotherton |
2 |
1 |
– |
12 |
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Mr Thomas David |
1 |
3 |
1 |
12 |
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Mr Simon Walker |
1 |
3 |
1 |
12 |
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Miss Lorraine Ellison |
2 |
– |
– |
10 |
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Mr Ben Hamilton |
2 |
– |
– |
10 |
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Mr James Banks |
1 |
1 |
– |
7 |
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Mr Oliver Greenall |
1 |
1 |
– |
7 |
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Mr Joshua Moore |
1 |
1 |
– |
7 |
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Mr Marcus Price |
1 |
– |
2 |
7 |
The four top jockeys in pole position include reigning Champion Amateur All-Weather jockey Simon Walker (who also holds the Amateur Gentleman Jockey Flat Championship) as well as reigning Amateur Lady Jockey Flat Champion Serena Brotherton. Good luck to all jockeys concerned in the finale!
Update 22nd February: Rides today are booked for Simon Walker, Serena Brotherton and Joshua Moore. Watch this space!
13-02-2010
Bangor’s hunterchase, ultimately won by VICARIO ridden by Josh Hamer, saw Sarah Phizacklea take a horrendous fall at the second fence on ANOTHER RIVER in which the rotational fall of the horse resulted in Sarah taking the full force of the impact when the horse hit the ground.
Incredibly, although Sarah was knocked out and moved to Wrexham Maelor Hospital for further examination on a backboard, the only lasting damage is a small broken bone in her leg and she is otherwise unscathed.
Sarah returned home last night and we wish her a swift recovery.