Apprentice jockey Joe Leavy came out on top at Goodwood Racecourse in the all-Apprentice Racecard, winning the Leading Apprentice Award at Three Friday Nights on 6 June.
His victory in the The Friday Nights Apprentice Handicaps Stakes sealed the win when riding the Jim Boyle trained and Ownaracehorse owned Big Bear Hug.
Leading Apprentice winning jockey Joe Leavy said: “The all-apprentice cards are brilliant for young riders, not just me but younger lads too. You can always keep learning.”
The Leading Apprentice award is calculated on a points system for each race of fixture, with Leavy culminating the most points throughout the evening putting him at the top.
All six races on Friday 6 June count towards the Apprentice Jockeys’ Championship, which runs throughout the British flat racing season.
Winning the Performance Award was Tyrese Cameron after his convincing ride in The BetGoodwin Best Odds Guaranteed Apprentice Fillies’ Handicap Stakes on Dappling, owned by the Richard Hannon Racing Syndicate.
Apprentice jockey, Tyrese Cameron, said “It felt like a great ride on Dappling, she went straight early doors and felt relaxed. These fixtures are really important to get your name out there, if you ride a winner like tonight, there’s lots of trainers here which means hopefully more opportunities will come from that.”
Straight after racing, the Parade Ring was transformed into a dancefloor where iconic DJ act Groove Armada performed to a sold out Three Friday Nights crowd.
Apprentice jockeys are young riders aged between 16 and 26 years old, who can claim a weight allowance of between 3lbs and 7lbs to compensate for inexperience. Although they regularly ride in races alongside professional jockeys, Apprentice races provide valuable opportunities to compete against riders of a similar standard.
Limited tickets and hospitality are still available for Friday 13 June, when Hot Chip will be taking center stage after an evening of racing overlooking the Sussex Downs.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Performance Award - won by Tyrese Cameron
Leading Apprentice Jockey Award - won by Joe Leavy
The leading award is calculated on a points-based system throughout the fixture, an award will be presented to the rider amassing the most points over the course of the evening along with performance of the evening.
Apprentice race points scoring system:
Winner - 15pts
Second - 10pts
Third - 7pts
Fourth - 5pts
Fifth - 3pts
Non-runner - 4pts
Tickets
Tickets, dining, and hospitality on sale with limited availability on the website. Visit Goodwood.com or call 01243 755055 to find out more.
Contact
For more information about Goodwood Racecourse events, please contact Louise Gould, Press Officer: Louise.Gould@Goodwood.com
For all other press enquiries please contact: Media@goodwood.com
Imagery and news from Goodwood are available from our Press & Media site.
Stay up to date with all future announcements and on-event action across our social channels:
Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
***
About Three Friday Nights
Three Friday Nights is a celebration of fantastic horseracing and dance music, at Goodwood Racecourse, taking place on three consecutive Friday nights on 6 June with Groove Armada, 13 June with Hot Chip and 20 June with Artful Dodger and Woody Cook performing. After the final race has been run, the Parade Ring is transformed into an open-air dancefloor as top musicians and dance acts perform as the night draws in.
***
About the Professional Jockeys Association
The PJA exists to champion Professional Jockeys interests and continually improve their wellbeing, earning potential and respect within the sport. The PJA is dedicated to supporting jockeys in all aspects of their lives, negotiating with all the racing authorities and other trade bodies to improve the jockeys’ standing.
***
About Goodwood Racecourse
Introduced to the Goodwood Estate in 1802 by the 3rd Duke of Richmond, the Goodwood Racecourse has long been steeped in horseracing heritage. From Lord George Bentinck’s winning horse in the 1836 St Leger, which was transported in secret from Goodwood to Doncaster, to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s horse Love Affair taking its final win, the racecourse has been home to some significant moments in horseracing history.
Situated on the South Downs and hosting 19 race days from May through October, thousands of racegoers flock to one of the world’s most beautiful racecourses each year to enjoy a season of top-class racing and entertainment. With a varied calendar of fixtures, race day highlights include Three Friday Nights, the May Festival, the Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar and the Season Finale, to name a few.
