Category: Jockey News
01-02-2010
On only his second appearance on the racecourse, 17 year old PHILIP PRINCE, who fought a year-long battle with the BHA to be granted his jockey’s amateur licence, enjoyed his first winner when partnering MISS FIREFLY to victory in the first division of the 6f amateur riders’ handicap at Wolverhampton.
Philip, who was born without his left ear, was denied an amateur licence by the BHA on medical grounds but with the support of PJA’s CEO Kevin Darley he succeeded in having the decision overturned. Philip said “That’s a fantastic thrill. Kevin was fantastic in helping me get my licence. I had 30 winners from 60 rides in 3 years on the pony circuit and have worked for Paul Nicholls and Ron Hodges, and am now attached to Mick Channon’s yard.”
The second division of the handicap saw a first win on his debut ride for event rider MICHAEL OWEN on Frank Sheridan’s ALBERO DI GIUDA. Michael has regularly ridden around Burghley and Badminton but with racing in his blood, he has always wanted to ride under Rules and had a dream start to his riding career today.
Many congratulations to both Philip and Michael on such a memorable day.
31-01-2010
Tomorrow’s Ludlow meeting has been abandoned with an inch of snow on the course and -9 degrees last night making racing impossible.
With this being Ludlow’s third consecutive meeting lost in the past few weeks, we lose the second amateur Ludlow race in a fortnight (His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales Challenge Trophy Steeplechase) having lost the AJA amateur hurdle on 21st January to snow and frost. Tomorrow’s chase is one of the highspots of the amateur jump season being a valuable feature race of the New Year and it is a great loss to our calendar.
27-01-2010
A unique opportunity awaits an experienced amateur jump jockey – male or female – in Maryland, USA. Rides are guaranteed over both timber and hurdles and could include a ride in the world famous Maryland Hunt Cup.
Applicants MUST have ridden plenty of point-to-point winners and preferably also have some winners under Rules as well.
Flights will be paid and a stay of about 8 weeks is offered, with hunting in March and racing in April. For further details please contact Sarah Oliver at the AJA.
20-01-2010
Applications are invited from all UK amateur riders to represent Great Britain and ride in the Fegentri series 2010.
In 2008 both our chosen riders, Danny Cook and Gemma Gracey-Davison, were Fegentri World Vice Champions and in 2009 Claire Allen followed in Gemma’s footsteps and also achieved this status which was a tremendous achievement. (Unfortunately Ian Chanin, our 2009 Gentleman representative, was unable to complete the 2009 series through injury but still managed to take 4th place.) Both Claire and Ian are best known for their point-to-point successes and they both rode their first Flat winners abroad and thoroughly enjoyed the whole Fegentri experience. Danny and Gemma have now turned professional but regard their unique experiences with Fegentri as greatly beneficial to their future careers.
All ladies Fegentri races are on the Flat but the gentlemen’s races include a few over hurdles and fences so lads must have some jump wins under their belts, preferably under Rules. You will need an understanding guv’nor and strong home support as Fegentri demands regular weekend trips abroad. All thoughts of turning professional will have to wait until the end of the Fegentri season (October for men, December for ladies). You must have 5 wins under Rules to your credit but consideration will be given to Point-to-Point and Arab wins. You must be able to do 9 stone for ladies and 10 stone for lads. All expenses will be met by the AJA.
If you think Fegentri is something that you would enjoy and would like to be considered, please complete the Fegentri application form below and return it to the AJA. You can also contact Sarah Oliver with any queries by e-mailing sph.oliver@btinternet.com or calling 01886 884488. Application forms have been posted out to all AJA members so that those without internet access will not be ignored. All applicants will be kept on file for consideration for all future invitation races and also for future representation. Applications for 2010 close on 31st January.
Application Form FEGENTRI 2010
07-01-2010
| Friday |
Bangor |
Abandoned |
|
Fontwell |
Abandoned |
|
Lingfield |
AW – Standard; “track is raceable and the forecast is favourable”; INSPECTION 6.30am FRIDAY |
|
Southwell |
AW – Slow |
|
Wolverhampton |
AW – Standard; snow has been removed from track which is being worked; INSPECTION 8.30am FRIDAY |
| Saturday |
Sedgefield |
Abandoned |
|
Wincanton |
Abandoned |
|
Punchestown |
Abandoned |
|
Ffos Las |
Abandoned |
|
Kempton |
AW – Standard |
|
Lingfield |
AW – Standard |
| Sunday |
Hereford |
Abandoned |
|
Leopardstown |
Abandoned |
|
Southwell |
AW – Slow |
| Monday |
Ayr |
Abandoned |
|
Taunton |
Abandoned |
|
Wolverhampton |
AW – Standard |
|
Kempton |
AW- additional fixture |
| Tuesday |
Leicester |
Track frozen and covered in snow; forecast to remain very cold and frosty with snow showers |
|
Newcastle |
One foot of snow on course at present, with odd snow showers expected; likely to remain cold for next four days; INSPECTION 12pm SUNDAY |
|
Lingfield |
AW – additional fixture |
|
Southwell |
AW – Slow |
| Wednesday |
Doncaster |
Snowbound and cold temperatures are forecast to continue; “prospects do not look good” |
|
Kelso |
15 inches of snow on the course; temperatures reached a low of -12°C on Wednesday night. Inspection likely on Monday morning |
|
Southwell |
AW – additional fixture – all-bumper card |
|
Kempton |
AW – Standard |
|
Lingfield |
AW – Standard |
| Thursday |
Catterick |
Course covered in eight inches of snow; forecast to remain very cold with a few snowshowers |
|
Towcester |
Course frozen solid and covered with five inches of snow; forecast to remain cold with severe overnight frosts and low daytime temperatures |
|
Thurles |
Track still frozen and unraceable; hoping temperatures will begin to rise after the weekend; “running the hurdle races and a bumper on Thursday and six chases on Friday as the chase track will need longer for the frost to come out of the ground” |
|
Southwell |
AW – Slow |
|
Wolverhampton |
AW – Standard |
26-12-2009
The exciting Long Run, having his first run in this country following a fantastic early career in France, made little of the opposition to take the Feltham Novices Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day under Sam Waley-Cohen riding for his father Robert.
The 4 year old, having already enjoyed 2 Grade I successes amongst his victories in France, was enjoying his first run for trainer Nicky Henderson and in spite of some jumping errors which included misjudging the penultimate fence, he pinged the last to score by 13 lengths.
Sam Waley-Cohen said after the race “He’s a fantastic horse, a really good horse and an exciting horse, its good to be on him.”
24-12-2009
22-12-2009
CHELTENHAM has added another race to the third day of the 2010 Cheltenham Festival with a charity Flat race for lady riders joining the six scheduled races.
The race will take place following Thursday’s scheduled races headed by the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and the money raised will go towards this year’s chosen sponsor for Ladies’ Day, Cancer Research UK.
Georgie Browne, partner of Paul Nicholls, is one of those scheduled to compete and she said: “I am thrilled to be Ladies’ Day Ambassador for 2010 and riding in a Flat race will be one of the highlights of what I am sure will be a memorable day.”
Applications are being taken for the 1m5f race, which will have a maximum of 12 runners and is open to any lady riders, licensed or not, providing they raise a minimum of £5,000 in sponsorship each.
For race conditions and an application form please e-mail Sarah Oliver @ sph.oliver@btinternet.com or call 01886 884488. Applications close on 15th January 2010.
17-12-2009
Congratulations to Oliver Murphy who kicked home his first career winning ride at Bangor yesterday on his mother’s LIFE LONG in the bumper.Congratulations also to Laura Griffiths today at Exeter when enjoying her first career win in the opening Handicap Hurdle, storming home on Steve Curran’s CAPTAIN SMOOTHY.
06-12-2009
Many congratulations to Claire Allen who has retained Great Britain’s runner-up slot in the Fegentri Ladies World Championship which was won last year by Gemma Gracey-Davison. The ladies 2009 Fegentri season concluded in the heat of Mauritius today whilst many AJA members were enjoying the cooler environs of the point-to-point at Cottenham, more usually associated with Claire who was National Ladies Point-to-Point Champion in 2007.
This year’s Fegentri Ladies World Championship was won by Nadine Gratz of Germany with Catherine Burri of Switzerland in third place.
Many congratulations to Germany on sweeping the board with both World Championships, Marian Weissmeier having won it for the gentlemen and in so doing becoming the youngest ever German amateur to do so. Meanwhile GB’s gentleman representative Ian Chanin continues to recuperate from his broken leg and hopes to return to the saddle in February.
From left: Susanna Santesson (General Secretary Fegentri), Nadine Gratz (Germany), Claire Allen (GB), Catherine Burri (Switzerland), Nathalie Belinguier (President Fegentri)
