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Two races were held before the professional race card, the first over seven furlongs for ponies measuring 138cm and under, followed by the 148cm and under category over nine furlongs.

After nine wins from nine races and the Leading Rider award under her belt, fifteen-year-old Sophie Smith from Leicestershire led the last two furlongs to secure the championship title in the 138cm & under with her roan mare Push The Button. A tight finish to decide the placings saw Finn Muirhead (13) on Dillan’s Girl as runner up, Tamby Welch (13) on Churchill take third, with Camilla Broster on Fair N Square finishing fourth.

In the 148cm & under final, fifteen-year-old James Bowen on Cudlic Verona went into the race as winner of the Leading Rider Awards, having won six out of 12 races, with placings in the remaining six.  Yorkshire’s Oakley Brown, at just five points behind in the rankings, promised tough competition on his five-year old mare White Water, having won nine out of 11 races, including winning the Conditions Final at York in September. In a tightly-contested race, Oakley gained a commanding lead from Noah Brazg Carrell on She’s a Lady, with Ella McCain on Mr Marshall in third and James Bowen on Cudlic Verona finishing fourth.

Sponsored by global brand Charles Owen since 2005, this year’s Racecourse Series began at Kempton Racecourse in March with jockeys competing for points across a total of 25 fixtures. Each rider in the Final was awarded a voucher for a Charles Owen helmet, and additional riding wear including a waterproof jacket.

Clarissa Daly, Chief Executive of the Pony Racing Authority, added: “Charles Owen has made a long-standing investment in the sport which has created a lasting impact: as a result, we have been able to open up incredible opportunities for young people to develop new skills through pony racing that, for many, will take them into the horse racing industry through a range of career paths. Thank you, also, to Cheltenham Racecourse for all their support in hosting two fantastic finals this year.”

Finals of Charles Owen Racecourse Series 2016

138cm & under Finals

1^st Sophie Smith (15) – Leicestershire – Push the Button

2^nd Finn Muirhead (13) – Devon – Dillans Girl

3^rd Tamby Welch (13) – Devon –  Churchill

4^th Camilla Broster (13) –Cheshire – Fair N Square

148cm & under Finals

1^st Oakley Brown (15) – Yorkshire – White Water

2^nd Noah Brazg Carrell (15) Cambridgeshire  – She’s a Lady

3^rd  Ella McCain (15) – Cheshire – Mr Marshall

4^th James Bowen (15) – Pembrokeshire – Cudlic Verona

 

Charles Owen has supported pony racing since 2005 and provides all of the jockeys racing in the Finals with a Charles Owen jockey skull of their choice, and additional riding wear including a waterproof jacket and RaceSafe body protector

CareersinRacing kindly sponsor the Best Turned Out throughout the season

 

RaceTech Media and the Prince family kindly sponsor a number of annual awards, including awards for pony racers in their final season who are going on to work within the racing industry.

The crème de la crème of pony racing will be competing for the title of champion when the finals of the Charles Owen Racecourse Series take place at Cheltenham Racecourse on 22 October 2016.

Two races will be held before the professional race card, the first over 7F for ponies measuring 138cm and under, followed by the 148cm and under category which races over 9F.

Sponsored by global brand Charles Owen since 2005, the Series started at Kempton Racecourse in March with jockeys competing for points across a total of 25 fixtures. Each rider in the Final will win a voucher for a Charles Owen helmet.

Roy Burek, Managing Director for Charles Owen, said: “Enthusiasm, talent and drive mark out the very best of our young jockeys who have been enjoying pony racing this season.  It has been fantastic to see children from different backgrounds come to take part in this friendly sport. Once again, the Conditions races have given young riders that bit of extra encouragement to step up from Point-to-Point pony racing to have a near-professional experience at this top level.  My congratulations go to all jockeys taking part in the Racecourse Series this year – you have been a credit to the sport. Good luck to all the jockeys competing in this year’s finals.”

Clarissa Daly, Chief Executive of the Pony Racing Authority, added: “Charles Owen has made a long-standing investment in the sport which has created a lasting impact: their support has enabled us to open up incredible opportunities for young people to develop new skills through pony racing that, for many, will take them into the horse racing industry through a range of career paths.”

Runners and riders in the Charles Owen Racecourse Series Final

138cm & under

Finn Muirhead – Dillan’s Girl

Tamby Welch – Churchill

Ger Supple – Clear the Track

Daniel Cox – Wee Anthony

Minty Bloss – Nook Class Act

Owen Lewis – Little Chick

Camilla Broster – Fair N Square

Tyler Heard – The Jobs not Straight

Poppy Scott – Gazza Cruiser

Nick Barratt Atkin – I’m Loving it

Elliot England – Diptford Moon Walker

Sophie Smith – Push the Button

Lily Llewellyn – Fairfield Run (Reserve)

 148cm & under

Ella McCain – Mr Marshall

Charlie Todd – Miss Wonderful

Harry Myddelton – AbrickintheWall

Noah Brazg Carrell – She’s a Lady

Nia Kerslake – Pick Pocket

Liam Harrison – Tell me Twice

Jack Tudor – Hot Night

Oakley Brown – White Water

James Bowen – Cudlic Verona

Milo Herbert – The Mumbler

 

Teenage jockeys will be able to explore the wide choice of career opportunities open to young people in horse racing through an exclusive Education & Careers Day held on Tuesday 23 August at Newbury Racecourse.

Led by Ollie McPhail, Lead Education Officer with educational charity Racing to School, and supported by other professionals who work in the industry, the day promises to be friendly and informal, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and find out all about careers in horse racing.

With an interesting programme of workshops, moving between the weighing room, race track and visit to the racecourse stables & yard, the day also includes sessions with broadcast company RaceTech Media, the Careers in Racing team and an introduction to racecard reading!

Careers in Racing will be on hand throughout the day to highlight the many different training and careers options on offer and how to access them.

Former jump jockey Ollie McPhail has worked with around 40,000 young people during the last ten years with the charity that uses the UK’s racecourses, trainers’ yards and studs to offer young people a unique learning experience. He said: “The work we do offers real value to young people and promotes so many positive aspects about racing – as a sport and a potential employer.”

Clarissa Daly, chief executive of the Pony Racing Authority, said: “We have a pool of talented  jockeys in their teens who are starting to consider their future career paths – and a dedicated education and careers day is a fantastic opportunity to link up with knowledgeable careers advisors to encourage these young people to consider their choices, and think about progressing from pony racing into careers within the horse racing industry.”

To book your place – which is FREE – please email ponyracingauthority@thejockeyclub.co.uk, including the name and age of the rider attending, and parent contact details. Confirmation of your booking and a full programme will be sent out.

Photo: 14-year-old Will Humphrey riding Hope, March 2016 – photo credit Mark Pugh www.mjayphotography.co.uk 

Pony racing and point-to-pointing are all in a day’s work for teenage jockey Ben Godfrey who made history by riding in a pony race before switching colours and winning his debut ride in the Hunt Members’ race at Seavington Hunt point-to-point on Sunday  (17 April 2016).

Sixteen-year-old Ben Godfrey had a rapid wardrobe change after taking second place on Calypso in the 148cm pony race and switching colours to win the opening Hunt Members race on Sobre Tresor, trained by Chloe Newman.

An experienced pony racer with ten wins under his belt, Ben became eligible to ride in point-to-points after turning sixteen in March. Having entered the Hunt Members’ race at Seavington, it meant the morning’s pony race would be his last, as his mother Sally explained:

“Ben’s loved his pony racing, which has kept him going all the way. He went up to the British Racing School in February for a two-day course which was fantastic and having the RaceTech Graduate Award has made a great difference in helping with costs of training and competing – he’s also done some riding out.  Having hunted with the Seavington last season, Ben’s really ready to go pointing now – even though he hasn’t been quite as ready to give up his pony to his little brother! “

Sally Godfrey added: “Having to make such a quick change after the pony race, meant Ben didn’t have time to worry about his next ride. Earlier, he had received help walking the course and guidance from Josh Newman, an ex pony racer, which helped to calm his nerves.  Ben’s main aim was to get round, and the horse is a lovely school master type, perfectly capable. Ben rode to orders and it couldn’t have gone better for him.”

Clarissa Daly from the Pony Racing Authority commented: “Pony racing is proving to be a very strong foundation for young people to enter the horse racing industry and we’re always looking for ways to give our young jockeys a helping hand. This special graduate award from RaceTech gives the best jockeys who are coming to the end of their point-to-point pony racing a significant financial boost to take up extra training and competition opportunities, and get ready to enter the adult world of racing.”

What are the next steps for Ben? Sally said: “We’re taking it a step at a time. Ben knows he needs to concentrate on his GCSEs and then, who knows what’s next?”

Young riders with ordinary ponies are being encouraged to give pony racing a try with the launch this month of the Treehouse Sporting Colours Novice Rider Race Series.

Fourteen races will be staged at point-to-point meetings across the country from March to May, and those finishing 1st-4th will be eligible to enter and run in the finals at the Meynell & South Staffordshire Point-to-Point at Garthorpe on Saturday, 4 June.

Lucy Tucker from the Pony Racing Authority, said: “The Novice Rider Race series is specifically designed for those relatively new to pony racing who want to have a go and be competitive alongside others who are of a similar ability. So we are saying to riders with genuine Pony Club and hunting type ponies, these races are just for you, and we can promise you a fantastic day’s experience being treated like a proper jockey and competing on a racecourse!”

Pony racing is aimed at nine to fifteen years olds, and experiencing a race day is just as important as the final placings, as Lucy explained:  “The children get to parade in the paddock before their race, and are escorted to the start by riders from the host hunt. After tack safety checks, the races are started under the careful supervision of stewards and officials. There’s no jumping involved, and the races are generally around four to nine furlongs. Then it’s back to the winner’s enclosure and prize-giving to celebrate the achievement of all the jockeys taking part.”

Theresa Morris, from title sponsor Treehouse Sporting Colours, said: “We’ve always supported pony racing right from the start, and are thrilled to be involved with the Novice Rider Series. Point-to-points are a fantastic way to introduce young riders to racing, the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming and the emphasis is always on making sure the children have fun. Good luck to all the young jockeys starting out this season!”

Lucy Tucker added: “With the generous support of Treehouse Sporting Colours as title sponsor for the Novice Rider Series, I am delighted that we can open up pony racing to even more young riders to encourage them to give it a try.”

Pony racing at point-to-points is regulated to strict safety standards by the Pony Racing Authority, working closely with the Point-to-Point Authority.  Since the point-to-point pony racing started on 7 February 2016, 8 out of 79 point-to-point fixtures have staged their pony races, with 140 entries and 117 runners to date.

Entries are open for the first Novice Rider Series race at the Bicester with Whaddon Chase point-to-point on Sunday, 13 March: closing deadline is 6pm Saturday 5 March.

Photo credit: Neale Blackburn, www.chasdog.com

Notes:

Qualifying races Treehouse Sporting Colours Novice Rider Race Series will be staged at:

– Bicester with Whaddon Chase at Whitfield on 13 March 2016

– Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire and Eglinton at Overton on 19 March 2016

– Mendip Farmers at Ston Easton on 20 March 2016 Sun

– Ledbury at Maisemore Park on Saturday, 26 March 2016

– Essex at High Easter on 9 April 2016

– Cotswold at Andoversford on 10 April 2016

– Southdown & Eridge at Godstone on 10 April 2016

– Fife at Balcormo Mains on 23 April 2016

– Lauderdale at Mosshouses on 1 May 2016

– Radnor & West Hereford at Cold Harbourn on 1 May 2016

– Dulverton West at Bratton Down on 15 May 2016

– Grafton Whitfield Sunday, 15 May 2016 Sun, 8 May SM

– Knutsford Races Club at Tabley on 22 May 2016

– North Hereford at Hereford Racecourse on 29 May 2016

Race Conditions are:

• For Riders who have never WON an OPEN PtP Pony or Pony Club Race and who have NEVER taken part in the Charles Owen Summer Racecourse Series.

• For genuine Pony Club & hunting type ponies measuring 148cms & under and who have not have been placed 1st -2nd since January 2014 in any recognized pony race. Combinations must be qualified as per the Regulations for Pony Races at entry. Those who finish 1st-4th will be eligible to enter and run in the finals at the Meynell & South Staffordshire Point-to-Point at Garthorpe on Saturday, 4th June. Any combination winning two of the qualifying races won’t be eligible to enter any further qualifying races.Once a combination has won two of the qualifying races they will no longer be eligible to compete in the qualifying races until the Championship Finals, which will be staged on Saturday, 4th June at Garthorpe.

The RaceTech Graduate Award (Point-to-Point)

The rider with the most points at the end of the season and who is eligible and wishes to ride in point-to-point races the following season will be awarded £500 sponsorship under the Point-to-Point Riders Sponsorship Scheme (RSS) which can be put towards the costs associated with medicals and Riders Qualification Certificates (RQC’s) required to be able to ride in point-to-point races.

The RaceTech Riders Championships

Points are being given to the first four past the post 1^st:7, 2^nd: 5, 3^rd: 3 and 4^th: 1. Presentations will be made to both the 148cms & 138cms rider with the most points at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Point-to-point pony racing sponsors

RaceTech Media  www.racetech.co.uk

Broadcast media services company RaceTech is the main sponsor for point-to-point pony racing, sponsoring the Championship Rider Titles and Pony Racing Graduate awards during the 2016 season.

Treehouse Sporting Colours www.treehouseonline.co.uk

Equestrian safety wear specialists Treehouse Sporting Colours sponsors the 14 races in the Novice Rider Series during the 2016 season.

Dunraven Stud www.dunravenstud.com

Dunraven Stud sponsors the 2016 point-to-point pony racing planner which is distributed to all PRA members.