Thanks to the efforts of amateur jockeys including Sam Waley-Cohen the Amateur Jockeys Association (AJA) is to benefit from financial help from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
For the first time the BHA will share the benefits of the income generated by amateur jockeys riding against professionals with the AJA.
And due to Sam’s achievements this year – including becoming the first amateur jockey in 30 years to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup – a grant of £30,000 is to be shared between the AJA, the Pony Racing Authority and Sam’s charity TAWC Fund.
The BHA already supports amateur jockeys by contributing towards insurance and training but now a major proportion of future prize-money and riding fees earned by amateur jockeys will now be shared with the AJA.
Most of the grant – £20,000 – will go to the AJA towards funding a small number of jump races for amateur riders, in the aim of helping amateur jockeys to launch their riding careers.
A further £5,000 has been granted to the Pony Racing Authority (PRA) towards the cost of pony racing training days. The final £5,000 will be donated to Sam’s new charity, the TAWC Fund – the Thomas Andrew Waley-Cohen (TAWC) Fund, which is aimed at providing financial support fo charitable initiatives across the country.
“I am delighted that the BHA has revised the current system. This will undoubtedly benefit all amateur riders, and is a significant step forward for racing,” said Sam.
“And I’m excited to see what developments arise as a result of these grants, including the prospect of additional races for amateurs, and it gives me great pleasure to be able to put something back into the sport.”
