Goodwood Racecourse will honour the memory of late apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes during its annual all-apprentice racecard on Friday 5 June, part of the opening fixture of Three Friday Nights presented by Fitzdares.
A dedicated race will be run in memory of Tommie Jakes, who sadly passed away in October 2025 aged 19. Tommie’s parents will attend as special guests and present the trophy following the race. Since his death, Tommie’s mother, Tonie, has worked closely with the racing industry to raise awareness of mental health and the support available to young jockeys.
First introduced by Goodwood in 2022, the all-apprentice fixture was created to give emerging riders the opportunity to showcase their talent on one of racing’s most iconic stages in front of a large crowd.
The six-race card operates on a points-based system to crown Goodwood Racecourse’s Leading Apprentice Jockey of the evening, while a separate Performance of the Evening Award recognises an outstanding ride regardless of finishing position.
Last year, Tyrese Cameron received the Performance of the Evening Award, while Joe Leavy secured the Leading Apprentice title before going on to be crowned the 2025 British Champion Apprentice.
Joe Leavy said: “The all-apprentice fixture at Goodwood is such an important meeting for young jockeys because you get the chance to ride for a variety of trainers you might not normally ride for and showcase your talent on a top Group 1 track.
“Meetings like this can build momentum and open doors with new connections. It’s a brilliant platform for apprentices to gain experience, confidence and show what they’re capable of.”
Apprentice jockeys are riders aged between 16 and 26 who can claim a weight allowance of 3lbs to 7lbs to compensate for inexperience. While they regularly compete alongside professional jockeys, apprentice-only races provide valuable opportunities to ride against jockeys at a similar stage of their careers.
Adam McNamara, Senior Racing Executive at the Professional Jockeys Association, said: “The PJA is fully supportive of the All-Apprentice fixture at Goodwood. It has become an established and integral part of the fixture list for apprentice jockeys and provides the perfect opportunity for them to showcase their talent.
“We are also incredibly pleased that Goodwood has included a dedicated race in memory of the late Tommie Jakes, who was a much-loved and respected member of the weighing room.”
Friday 5 June also marks the opening event of Goodwood’s Three Friday Nights series presented by Fitzdares, combining racing with live music and entertainment. Following racing, drum and bass artist Sub Focus will perform live in the Parade Ring.
Gates open at 4pm, with the first race at 5.25pm. Limited tickets and hospitality packages for Three Friday Nights are available via Goodwood.com
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