Apprentice series gets Shadwell backing and more money

Shadwell Stud has taken over the sponsorship of Salisbury’s long-established apprentice jockeys’ series, resulting in the winner’s prize-money rising to £1,500.

The five-race event, which was established in 1996 and is now part of the BHA’s racing excellence initiative, will launch on May 15 for riders who have not ridden more than 15 winners. Last year’s winner was Lulu Stanford.

Gail Brown, a director at Salisbury. said: “We are thrilled to have the support of Shadwell Stud and are very grateful to Sheikh Hamdan for generously agreeing to sponsor the series. It means that we can stage the Class 5 races at an increased value of £7,000 from the original plan of £5,250. The Class 6 is already at the maximum of £5,000.

“The jockeys’ prizes have increased as well, with the overall series winner now receiving £1,500, the runner-up £1,000 and the third £500. We are looking forward to the first race in a few weeks’ time.”

Prize-money at Salisbury, which hosts its first meeting today, has been increased by six per cent to £1.1 million across 16 fixtures. No race will be worth less than £5,000 and every meeting will have a feature race worth at least £12,000.

In addition the British Stallion Studs EBF Quidhampton Fillies’ Maiden Stakes, the renowned September maiden for two-year-olds, has been increased in value to £20,000, from £12,000 last year when it was won by Poet’s Vanity, who went on to win the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes.

Jeremy Martin, Salisbury’s executive director and clerk of the course, said: “What is significant about this race is that even at £20,000 it will be eligible to divide, which it nearly always does, after an agreement was reached with the BHA and the European Breeders’ Fund.”

Marathon crew made of tough stuff

A marathon update on Hunscote Stud owner Steven Smith, a former Good News Week resident.

He missed the Post’s London Marathon results round-up, but that is very explainable, given he had to walk it – and nine hours 17 minutes is actually a brilliant time for a 57-year-old who seven years ago was told he’d never walk again after breaking his spine.

Smith, who raised valuable funds for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, a charity devoted to finding a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury, walks with the aid of a stick and was hoping to get home in 14 hours.

He says: “Words cannot describe the joy I experienced finishing the London Marathon – the elation at crossing the finishing line is all consuming. I’m ecstatic, exhausted and enormously thankful for all of the support I’ve received from friends, family and well-wishers, and looking forward to putting my feet up for a few days!”

His fundraising can still be boosted at bit.ly/2mLBL8S.

Another special marathon mention must go to Ben Blowes, who set a new world record for completing the course while carrying a kitchen appliance. The roofer, who was raising money for Racing Welfare among other good causes, ran the 26.2 miles in an impressive five hours and 58 minutes.

Calling all budding amateurs

The Corinthian Challenge is back! The Irish Injured Jockeys will once again run its charity amateur racing series, with three races at three different racecourses – an initiative that raised €120,000 last year.

Sheikh Fahad was the star name in action last year as he guided subsequent Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Labaik to victory in the Leopardstown contest, while the overall series winner was Alice Kavanagh from Kildare.

The first race this year is on July 16 at the Curragh, the second is on September 16 at Gowran Park and the final race is on October 22 at Leopardstown.

The Irish Injured Jockeys fund is now calling on riders to take part. You will need a target of raising €10,000 and possess a reasonably high level of riding ability. Applicants will be assessed first at the Racing Academy in Kildare on May 9.

Riders will then receive additional help and training from the academy, and will be supported by some of Ireland’s leading jockeys. The closing date is this Tuesday, so get your skates on.

News flash

Ryan Hatch took another big step along his road to recovery on Monday when doctors removed the back brace he has been sporting since January. The jockey had spent the previous month bed-bound following fractures to multiple vertebrae and his sternum in a fall at Cheltenham in December. “I’ve had an x-ray and I’m just awaiting an MRI scan, but it’s all going in the right direction,” says Hatch. “I’ve been going to Oaksey House four days a week, so I’m keeping fit and working as hard as ever.” Great news Ryan, glad to hear the recovery is coming along well.

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