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Amateur Jockey Races Thread

Len Madeiros

Len Madeiros

Journeyman
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
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As some of you will know, I have a theory that you back the jockey, not the horse, in an amateur jockeys’ race. The more experienced the jockey, the greater their edge over competing rivals. And I don’t think this is always priced in with the bookies.

You won’t come across an amateur jockey race every day, but I’ve come across one today, the 14:10 at Catterick. It’s a 7-runner affair, so the each way isn’t worth the play. However, there are two standout jockeys in the race. Jamie Nield - on Universal Story - was one winner from two rides in the past 14 days until yesterday; and Brodie Hampson - on Throne Hall - is one winner from four rides, over the past 14 days.

Both horses are around the 11/2 mark. I’m in for a 1.5 point win on each of the jockeys.
 
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Interesting thread, Len.

I've got my views on the relative merits of various amateur riders, many with UK Pointing backgrounds, consequently I may have more to contribute when amateur riders' races over Jumps occur.
 
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Ian_Davies said:
Interesting thread, Len.

I've got my views on the relative merits of various amateur riders, many with UK Poihting backgrounds, consequently I may have more to contribute when amateur riders' races over Jumps occur.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Ian. I’ll run the thread until it runs out of steam, but your contributions will always be welcome.
 
Len Madeiros said:
As some of you will know, I have a theory that you back the jockey, not the horse, in an amateur jockeys’ race. The more experienced the jockey, the greater their edge over competing rivals. And I don’t think this is always priced in with the bookies.

You won’t come across an amateur jockey race every day, but I’ve come across one today, the 14:10 at Catterick. It’s a 7-runner affair, so the each way isn’t worth the play. However, there are two standout jockeys in the race. Jamie Nield - on Universal Story - was one winner from two rides in the past 14 days until yesterday; and Brodie Hampson - on Throne Hall - is one winner from four rides, over the past 14 days.

Both horses are around the 11/2 mark. I’m in for a 1.5 point win on each of the jockeys.
Click to expand...
Always worth noting when Brodie Hampson rides one for her husband Archie Watson.
 
Many are a lot more experienced than it first looks as many have ridden a lot pointing. I actually would always advise a young jockey coming up through the ranks to stay pointing for a second season rather than rush into becoming a conditional. Then if they get their Cat A licence it gives them greater opportunity to ride as an amateur both on the flat and over jumps while still being able to point. And if you can ride on the flat then you can tidy up your finish. Danny Cook was one jockey who took this advice as after becoming our Area Novice champion pointing, he rode as an amateur the following season before turning conditional and I think he benefitted hugely from that.
 
Thanks, Jinny, and I knew your input would be spot-on!

I must admit this is one of my shortcuts-to-riches schemes (similar to the backing of high numbers in combis at Newcastle!); so, I don’t dwell too much on the detail. The bare, standout numbers are what draw me in - we then go into battle from that starting point. The nuance is what will do for me in the end.
 
Vaguely remember this, but you would usually make money backing whatever Franca Vittadini rode , in the first race at Ascot on King George day..
Ladies Diamond stakes. She seemed to win it nearly every year.
 
Barnestormer said:
Always worth noting when Brodie Hampson rides one for her husband Archie Watson.
Click to expand...
Brodie Hampson: Miss B Hampson (Brodie Hampson) Jockey Stats for Flat Turf and All Weather Horse Racing.

My personal opinion, which no one is obliged to share, is that, while she certainly gets decent material to ride off her husband, she isn't especially talented herself in the context of these races.

The stats are your friend, but there are Point stats fewer can see which are a bigger friend.

It's also worth noting who gets outside rides and who doesn't.

Maybe he doesn't seek them, but when did David Maxwell ever get offered an outside ride?

That's an implausible, polarised, extreme, example, but you get my drift.

The greater variance in ability within the amateur ranks than within the professional ranks makes this a subject well worthy of study, but you have to dig deeper than the headline stats and what you can see in the formbook if you want to turn it into a significant betting edge.
 
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Oh well - great start 🙄.

In fact, I’m not sure any of the jocks rode a bad race. Universal Story might have been a bit closer, but I don’t think he was good enough to win.

- 3 points.
 
There’s an amateurs race today at Chelmsford, at 16:50.

The eight jockeys have had two rides between them, over the last 14 days; no winners.

No angle. No bet today.

Next amateurs’ race is at Newmarket on Saturday.
 
The 17:05 at Newmarket today. There are three qualifiers:

Tempus - .5pt ew
Charming Whisper - 1.5pt win
Triple Force - 1pt win

I’m seeking to make inroads into a minus 5 point deficit.
 

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