OLIVER MURPHY AND LAURA GRIFFITHS RIDE THEIR FIRST CAREER WINNERS

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.

Claire Allen retains GB’s runner-up slot in FEGENTRI Ladies World Championship

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) 

LUCY HORNER HANGS UP HER BOOTS

26-11-2009

Reigning NH Amateur Champion Lady Jockey LUCY HORNER has been forced to hang up her boots for the foreseeable future owing to an old eye injury.  Lucy rode 11 winners last season to take the ladies title, 4 ahead of Rose Dobbin from whom she took the lady jump jockey’s crown.

With not only a career total of 28 jump wins under her belt in Great Britain but also wins over timber in the United States and in cross-country races in France (Le Touquet and Dieppe), Lucy has made a great success of her amateur career in a variety of climes.Chris Grant’s TOM’S TOYBOX was one of Lucy’s most high profile rides, giving her three wins and 4 placed rides last season.  Lucy remembers her greatest day’s racing when she had the opportunity to ride and be placed in a Grade II Chase and says it was “nice to mix it with the big boys”.

We all wish Lucy every good wish for the future and hope that with the advancement of medical science the day will come when she might be able to consider a return to race riding.

WEATHERBYS AWARDS ANNOUNCED

25-11-2009

Weatherbys have announced Sam Twiston-Davies and Georgina Andrews as Gentleman and Lady Amateur Jockey Newcomers of the Year and the Veteran Amateur Jockey of the Year prize for 2009 is awarded to Anthony Knott for his memorable win at Wincanton which received media attention worldwide.

In addition the AJA President’s Prize 2009 is awarded to Will Biddick for his triumph against professionals at the Cheltenham Festival with Something Wells.

Award winners will be presented with their prizes at the AJA Christmas Craic at Elcot Park, Newbury on Saturday evening for which tickets are still available at £25 per head (which includes a 3-course dinner) by simply calling 01886 884488.

Amateurs strictly dancing and Yorkshire dominates!

23-11-2009

Last Saturday evening saw another successful Northern Dance organised for the last time by the dynamic duo Carol Bartley (16th year of organising) and Serena Brotherton (9th year of organising) and the AJA owe them both a huge thank you for so many years of unflagging support and sheer hard work.  Scotch Corner hosted the evening which was attended by 155 guests and the AJA will be welcoming the hotel as a new sponsor in 2010 for the October ladies amateur race at Redcar, run this year in their name.

This Saturday the AJA will be celebrating this year’s amateur champions, all of whom can boast Yorkshire links and/or heritage!  This is an amazing result for the North.  Tickets are still available at only £25 for a good evening in store by calling 01886 884488 and is open to all, so hurry and book now while space allows!

20-11-2009

AMATEURS 5 STAR PERFORMANCE!!!

19-11-2009

Many congratulations to no less than 5 talented amateur jockeys who enjoyed winning rides across the country today!

First of the day in the winner’s enclosure was reigning NH Amateur Champion Oliver Greenall with WESTLIN’ WINDS at Hereford in the 12:50 Novice Hurdle.  Making a winning start to his jumping career, the winner was always handy and took control at the penultimate flight to stay on decisively to win by 10 lengths.

The 1.30 2m Handicap Chase at Wincanton was won in fine style by Alan King’s amateur James Banks enjoying his first win under Rules on ONLY DREAMS, giving trainer Nick Lampard success only 3 days after obtaining his trainer’s licence when scoring at 33-1.  James had a great ride round, jumping well and travelling purposefully, despite been left in front sooner than ideal, and in spite of the horse tiring managed to hold on to score by a neck from Robert Thornton in a driving finish.

Gina Andrews was the next successful amateur in the winner’s enclosure after the 1.40 Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon with Pam Sly’s VIABLE, making it this formidable trainer/jockey partnership’s tenth win.

The 2:50 at Hereford, the amateur Handicap Chase, was won by in-form Matt Griffiths on FORTIFICATION who was making it a hat trick.

Finally the 3:30 pro/am Hands and Heels at Wincanton was won by front running CAMPFIRE TALES given a positive ride by Lucy Barry who was also enjoying her first winner under Rules having enjoyed seven point-to-point winners.  Lucy is attached to John Manners’ widow’s yard and rode a third for her at Leicester on Monday.

Many congratulations to all winning jockeys, and especially to James and Lucy on their first winners under Rules.

Are all the party animals in the North?

18-11-2009

With this weekend’s Northern Dance at Scotch Corner a complete sell out, tickets remain available for the Champions Craic at Newbury on 28th November.

Can the South match the North and also have a sell out event?!?!?

Call 01886 884488 or 01933 304778 or 07789 935399 and book your tickets now!!!!

17-11-2009

The Amateur Jockeys Association 

champions christmas craic

Saturday 28th November 2008

WINDSOR SUITE

ELCOT PARK HOTEL

NEWBURY  RG20 8NJ

Champions Presentations

Grand Auction

LUKE HARVEY MC

Special hotel discount rate  (quote ‘AJA’) Double/Twin B&B £99 Tel: 0844 815 9060