- Series Leaderboards
- Racing Excellence Apprentice Training Race Series 2012
- Race Results - Hands and Heels Jump Series 2011-12
- Race Results - Betfair Conditional Training Series 2011-12
- Race Results - Hands and Heels All Weather Series 2001/12
- Previous Years Winners
- Where are they now
- Matt Griffiths - Last Years Betfair Conditional Training Series Winner
- Two Wins in Two Days for Jockey Coach Pilot Scheme
Where are they now
Sophie Silvester: Series Winner
"First of all I would like to thank Betdaq for sponsoring the Haydock series; I thank the owners and trainers for giving me the chance to ride their horses. I would also like to thank Jimmy Bleasdale our jockey coach for all the input he gave to all the apprentices.
The Haydock series was so much fun to ride in, I have learnt so much, this being my first season riding I have managed to ride 7 winners in total and 3 of them were at Haydock, which is now definitely one of my favorite tracks!
The series was really beneficial for me as it gave all apprentices a chance of learning to ride over different trips and on different ground. Jimmy Bleasdale our jockey coach, was especially helpful and gave me (and I’m sure all the other apprentices who took part) a lot of help and encouragement.
I went into the series hoping I would win, but I thought as this is only my first season that this was more of a dream than reality. When I rode my first winner in this, it was the first race of the series on a horse for my boss (Jeff Pearce, left) Ghufa which I had previously won on at Wolverhampton. He is my favorite horse and I always have confidence on him that he is going to run well. He won twice for me in this series which put me in the lead, which I couldn’t believe, I then got to ride a horse for Ruth Carr in a 6 furlong race, called Chosen One. This series was so enjoyable to ride in and the buzz gave me a huge confidence boost and thus improved my riding.
As I have received an equiciser from Betdaq as my prize for winning the series, I am now going to get stronger and be able to work on my balancing and my pushing and whip technique so I can become fitter and hopefully try and win more of these series this winter on the all-weather and in the new season.
Once again thank you to everyone who was part of the series, I have truly enjoyed every moment and I now will continue to work hard, improve and learn from what I have achieved this year."
Danny Burton: Series Winner
"I took to the saddle at 17 riding in point to points but not ever really shining at it - only riding a handful of winners. Even after becoming a Conditional Jockey , it wasn't until I began riding in the series that I really felt my riding improve. The series helped me concentrate on keeping the horse in a rhythm throughout the race and learning to use my legs over my stick. I learnt to be more professional dealing with new trainers, owners and also media. The jockey coach was a massive asset to the series as we all had a chance to learn from someone who has been there and done it all.
Walking the course before each series race is a great thing. Finding the best ground and different parts of the track that change from meeting to meeting are only a few things that the jockey coach had taught us. I would walk the course everytime I ride now. The series opened up a whole new part to my career now I am riding for new trainers and more difficult horses and bigger race days.I would tell any young rider that is able to ride in the series to take it as a massive opportunity to learn and not to feel like its rubbish because can't use there sticks. I would like to thank everyone who helped me win this series."
Ryan Powell: Series Jockey
"I grew up on the same street as Seb Saunders and Marc Halford which led me to follow my friends through the British Racing School at the age of 16, despite having no previous equestrian experience.
On leaving the British Racing School, I worked for 3 1/2 years at Sir Mark Prescott's yard before spending 10 months in America with Michael Dickinson. On my return from the states I worked for David Lanigans, where I obtained my jockeys license.
John Ryan gave me my first ride back in October 2008 and I eventually went to work for John in February 2009 where I have since ridden 2 winners.
My ambition is of course, to ride plenty more winners and I find the Hands and Heels and Training Series a great help. The fact that you can talk about the going and the course with the coach beforehand really helps me decide the best way to ride the race’
