Tipp jockey Amy Jo Hayes tops the table in Barney Curley Apprentice Series Bursary
Winner of the first two races in the Barney Curley apprentice series bursary, Tipperary apprentice jockey Amy Jo Hayes tops the table with four more races in the series to go.
Amy Jo’s wins came in Roscommon last month on Jabbar for trainer Ger O’Leary and in Gowran Park on Monday June 3 when Pink Socks, trained by Tim Doyle, crossed the line in front.
The series continues on July 4 at Bellewstown’s July Festival, Naas on July 24, Down Royal on September 6 with the finale back in Bellewstown on October 2 and is restricted to apprentices who have ridden less than twenty winners at the start of the 2024 Flat season.
On each race day, a senior jockey will walk the course with the participating apprentices and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) officials will invite them into the stewards’ room to review the race.
Points are awarded to riders after each race according to finishing positions as follows:
1st = 25pt, 2nd = 18 pts, 3rd = 15 pts, 4th = 12 pts, 5th = 10 pts, 6th = 8pts, 7th = 6pts, 8th = 3pts, 9th = 2pts, 10th = 1pt.
The winning jockey of each race in the series will receive an additional five equuip -funded hours with a jockey coach.
The overall winner of the series will win:
•A €2000 voucher
•An additional 10 equuip-funded hours with a jockey coach
•A day of one-to-one tuition at RACE
•High performance analysis with jockey strength and conditioning coach Wayne Middleton and physiotherapist Gavin Egan
•The RACE mobile unit to visit the apprentice’s yard to provide onsite training for all staff
•A session with Dr Ciara Losty, sports psychologist
•A one-to-one financial literacy session from Gateway consultants
The apprentice jockeys that come second and third in the series will each receive a €250 voucher.
Bellewstown Racecourse will forever be synonymous with Barney Curley who master minded a famous betting coup at the County Meath track in June 1975 when Yellow Sam won at 20-1. As the 50th anniversary of this landmark event approaches and to acknowledge the Fermanagh man’s support and mentorship of apprentice jockeys throughout his life, Bellewstown Racecourse are proud to sponsor the Barney Curley Apprentice Series Bursary in conjunction with equuip, Horse Racing Ireland’s education and training division.
Alan Delany, Vice-Chair of Bellewstown Racecourse, said: “We believe this apprentice race series is a fitting legacy to the memory of Barney Curley who was globally renowned and respected for his nurturing, mentoring and coaching of young apprentice jockeys over many decades.”
Catherine Curley, Barney Curley’s daughter said: “We are thrilled to continue our family’s enduring association with Bellewstown Racecourse. We are particularly pleased to be associated with the apprentice series for young aspiring jockeys a subject that was near and dear to my father’s beliefs and values.”
Jack Gogarty, Chairman of Bellewstown Racecourse, said: “On behalf of Bellewstown, I would like to express our gratitude to Horse Racing Ireland’s racing and equuip departments, Dr Jennifer Pugh, Chief Medical Officer at the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board for their support and advice developing this apprentice series concept.
Elaine Burke, equuip Manager, commented: “Dr Jennifer Pugh and her colleagues in the IHRB and the team in equuip are delighted to collaborate with Bellewstown Racecourse on this apprentice jockey series. It’s a wonderful opportunity to highlight the opportunity this series gives to apprentice riders and to showcase their skills.”
For further information, please contact Bellewstown General Manager, Kevin Coleman. bellewstownraces@gmail.com