BATHWICK TYRES DERBY SERIES 2008

15-04-2008

The Amateur Jockeys Association are delighted to announce the 2008 Bathwick Tyres Ladies Derby Series, which has grown this year to incorporate 8 races as follows: 

 The Bathwick Tyres Ladies Derby, the world’s richest amateur lady jockeys’ race, takes place on Newbury’s Ladies Day on Saturday 16^th August.  The lady riders return there for the series finale on 25^th October, when the series winner will be awarded what has now become the traditional prize holiday so generously donated by Wayne and Sarah Clifford of Bathwick Tyres.  

Now in its 7th year, this series gives a wonderful opportunity for amateur lady jockeys to focus on a challenge which gives the winner an enviable reward.  Jockey points are awarded after each race to the first 6 lady jockeys on a 7-5-4-3-2-1 basis.   Last year’s winner, Vicky Cartmel, worked in Florida last winter and is still looking forward to taking her prize of a holiday of her choice anywhere in the world this year.  Vicky says “I cannot believe how lucky I am to be able to make such a choice and I might even combine it with race riding in Malaysia which will be a fantastic experience, all thanks to Bathwick Tyres.”

An invitation to all members of the AJA

15-04-2008

All members of the AJA are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting which will be held on TUESDAY 13^TH MAY at Weatherbys, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire  NN8 4BX and is scheduled to start at 11.30 am.  We look forward to seeing you there.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP SARAH FIND A TEMPORARY HOME?

12-04-2008

Sarah Gaisford needs urgent help in finding a suitable temporary home near to her house in Buckfastleigh, South Devon, and hopefully YOU might be able to assist her.  She will soon be given a date when she can leave the Spinal Unit at Salisbury Hospital, but she cannot return to her own house as it is unsuitable for wheelchair access and is also on a hill.

Sarah says:  “It has been very hard trying to find somewhere new to live. Ideally, I need to rent a home with two bedrooms for about six months to give me a chance to find a suitable house to buy. It needs to be on level ground and close to my daughter Jasmine’s school in Ashburton.” Sarah has been having plenty of physiotherapy and she is looking forward to competing next week in inter-hospital games at Stoke Mandeville for people who have recently had spinal injuries. If you can help or know of anyone who can, please contact Sarah Oliver on 01886 884488.  Thank you. 

JACQUELINE COWARD KICKS OFF THE FLAT FOR THE LADIES WITH A WINNER

11-04-2008

The first ladies race for the Flat season, sponsored by the Amateur Jockeys Association, has been won in fine style by Jacqueline Coward for her grandfather, legendary trainer Mick Easterby, at Doncaster on Friday 11^th April.  In a strongly run race, Blue Spinnaker was given a patient ride by Jacqueline who set him alight coming to the final furlong to draw right away and score by ten lengths. 

Jacqueline now joins Lee Newnes in the Flat Championships tables for 2008, Lee having won the mixed race at Southwell the previous Friday for his father, trainer Mark Usher.   

This season sees the implementation of wins only being counted towards the Amateur Flat Championship Titles.  Points tables which include places will only be applied to sponsors’ series, these being the Gentlemen’s Bollinger Series and the Ladies’ Bathwick Series and Sawfish Software Series later in the year.

SIMON WALKER CROWNED NEW CHAMPION AMATEUR ALL-WEATHER JOCKEY AT WOLVES!

17-03-2008

Many congratulations to Simon Walker who has gone one better than his runner-up slot last season to take the 2007-2008 All Weather Amateur Jockey Championship.  Runner-up for this season is Nicola Jefferson.  Congratulations too to Lucy Burke who rode her first winner in the last amateur all-weather race of the season.  The final table is shown in the Championship Tables.

YORK’S QUEEN MOTHER’S CUP VALUE INCREASES FOR 2008

16-03-2008

Good news for lady jockeys this summer!  Following the disappointment of last year’s Queen Mother’s Cup lost to the weather, this year’s added value of the race is raised from £16,000 to £20,000.  We all look forward to it taking place on 14th June.  Many thanks to York racecourse and to Reg Griffin for their continued support and most of all to our cherished sponsor, Mrs Coral Samuel.

WEDNESDAY’S CHELTENHAM NATIONAL HUNT CHASE RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY

12-03-2008

Strong gales at Cheltenham Festival have led to Wednesday’s card being abandoned and re-scheduled with the National Hunt Chase now to take place as the first race of the day on Thursday 13^th March at 12.30 pm. 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE IN MALAYSIA ON 20TH MARCH?

05-03-2008

LADIES INVITATION RACE IN MALAYSIA 20th March

Would you like to enjoy the chance of a lifetime to ride under Rules in Malaysia? The AJA have received an invitation for two lady riders to ride at Selangor on 20th March. The itinerary is to arrive on 18th March in Kuala Lumpur, have a trial ride on 19th March, race  20th March, then some time for sightseeing and return home on 21st or 22nd March, whichever you prefer.

Sorry but you must pay for your own air fare (around £500) but everything else will be paid for by your host country and you will be very well looked after by the Malaysian Amateur Racing Association.

If you would like to enjoy racing in the Far East, please contact Sarah Oliver immediately.  (01886 884488 or e-mail sph.oliver@btopenworld.com)   All applicants will be given serious consideration!  You DO NOT have to have ridden any winners to accept this invitation but preference will be given to experienced riders.  Any winning rides abroad count towards your career total!  Our last trip in January saw Wendy Gibson ride her first winner on the flat, just beating Laura Gray into 2nd place, and both girls had a fantastic time!

DO YOU STRUGGLE WITH YOUR WEIGHT? GORDON CAN HELP!

03-03-2008

Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word is back and he wants YOU to take part! 

 Do you fancy a cooking lesson from Gordon? 

Then we want to hear from YOU!

Email fwordcooking@optomen.com 

Please include your name, a daytime contact number, a recent photograph of

yourself and a paragraph telling us why you deserve Gordon’s help.

FEGENTRI RECOGNISES POINT-TO-POINT WINS FOR RIDERS’ CRITERIA

03-03-2008

The General Assembly of FEGENTRI was held in Doha, Qatar on 26th February at the kind invitation of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club General Manager, Sami Jassim al Boenain.  The first ladies races of the Fegentri season were held on the following days with Gemma Gracey-Davison having her first taste of representing Great Britain, finishing unplaced.  David Turner also attended the GA to collect his silver spur for his World Flat Title of 2007.

It was agreed at the GA that not only should Arab race wins count towards the required 5 win total to give amateur jockeys eligibility to represent their countries but also that point-to-point wins should be given the same status, thereby enabling many more candidates to put themselves forward.  This was welcomed by both Great Britain and Ireland.

 If you are interested in riding abroad, please send your details and race riding history to Sarah Oliver at sph.oliver@btopenworld.com or contact the AJA office on 01886 884488.