Long-serving jump jockey Allen Davis dies at 91

Former jump jockey Allen Davis, a miner's son whose riding career lasted fully 28 years, has died at the age of 91.

He had his first ride in 1949 and rode his first winner at 19 on Alciston at Market Rasen on Easter Monday in 1950, by which time he was also head lad to Nottinghamshire-based trainer Walter Buxton.

Davis rode a further 15 winners, eight of them on the prolific hurdler Cheerer between 1960 and 1966, and had his last ride in a selling hurdle at Doncaster in January 1977 when just a month short of his 46th birthday. He finally left Buxton in 1978, after working for him for 30 years.

The funeral is at 1pm on Monday, February 20 at St Mary’s Church, Lowdham, Nottingham NG14 7BQ. Family flowers only, with donations to the Injured Jockeys Fund and Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.

Riding fees to ride in Britain from February 1

Riding fees for Flat and jump jockeys in Britain are set to rise by ten per cent from Wednesday, the second successive pay rise for riders following last year’s boost of nearly 12 per cent.

Flat jockeys will receive an extra £15 per ride with the fee rising to £157.90, while jump jockeys will be paid an additional £20 for each mount taking their fee to £214.63. 

In addition, owners will continue to support insurance schemes for riders, contributing £24.43 for each Flat ride and £31.91 for every one over jumps.

Steven Astaire, co-chair of the jockey remuneration working party, said: “The current median annual income combined with rising costs is forcing many jockeys to leave the sport or ride overseas. It is in the best interests of all owners to ensure that there is fair and transparent remuneration for those who ride our horses, at all levels of the sport. 

“The working group was set up to review total remuneration and costs and to identify a longer-term solution, which will also aim to reduce the onus on owners.”

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