N.Z. venue for female world jockey’s championships?

Press, 27 January 1986, Page 28

N.Z. venue for female world jockey’s championships?

From

RON GURNEY

Palmerston North

The inaugural running of the Ladies’ World Jockeys’ Championship could be held in New Zealand later this year. Back in New Zealand to promote the idea is a former top British jockey, Elain Mellor, whose husband is the renowned British trainer, Stan Mellor.

Elain was the premier female of the English racing scene with successes in all of the top Ladies’ Championships and the first woman to win a race at Epsom. She is now employed as a consultant and promotions officer by Walker International, a publicity firm which has experience in a wide range of industries encompassing sport, music and entertainment

During recent years a division of Walker International, the World Jockeys’ Championship Company, Ltd, created the National Hunt World Jockeys’ Championship, which is now a regular feature of the English racing calendar. Stephen Jenkins, of Palmerston North, and Takanini’s Paul Hillis are two New Zealanders to have taken part since its inception. The World Jockeys’ Championship Company, Ltd, was formed in the United Kingdom in 1983, from an idea created by the legendary Bob Cham-

pion, M.B.E.

Also a consultant for Walker International, Champion made history by beating cancer- and then going on to win the world’s greatest steeplechase, the Grand National, on Aidant! in 1981.

On Bob’s retirement from riding he decided to pursue his idea of creating a world championship for both flat and National Hunt racing.

He then formed the divisional company within the Walker group, who used Champion’s expertise and contacts in National Hunt racing to establish the first National Hunt World Jockeys’ Championship, which took place at Cheltenham in 1984. The Ladies’ World Championship will hopefully bring together at least 16 women champion riders, representing their country from around the world. It is expected to create the largest event of its type ever staged and it could all take place in New Zealand with the selection of a worthy sponsor and support from local racing clubs. A date for the competition has yet to be finalised.

“We are very much attracted to New Zealand for the first venue for various reasons,” said Mrs Mellor.

“Switzerland is to stage a European Championship this year and America does not appeal because

of the betting angle, so Australia or New Zealand was the choice.

"Because of my close ties with this country through New Zealand horses racing in England and so forth, we thought here was ideal,” she said. “I have several contacts here and have been back many times since riding in the Ladles’ Qantas series in 1975. “What’s more, New Zealand really reminds me of England.”

Walker International has arranged for Mrs Mellor to see prospective sponsors and she will be doing the rounds of local racing clubs.

Invitations for the championships will be extended to West Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, the United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, India, Switzerland, and, of course, New Zealand. “The idea would be for those taking part in the European series to move straight on to New Zealand and meet up with other international riders for the world championships here,” said Mrs Mellor.

The format for the event would not be unlike the National Hunt World Jockeys’ Championships staged at Cheltenham last year and sponsored by Railfreight. Jockeys would draw horses by ballot.

The Cheltenham programme has six races entirely devoted to the championship and though Mrs Mellor was hopeful the same would apply in ' New Zealand, it seems > probable that other races ’ would be carded on the same day as well. The championship will be decided on a pointscoring system with each jockey having a guaranteed number of rides in the' races designated over different distances with varying numbers of runners.

Mrs Mellor foresees a . single day championship ; and a two-day one. The , first would Involve six '• races from a flat racing card and jockeys will be balloted for three rides from the six events. The second sees four races each day from a programme and jockeys balloted for two rides per day.

The sum of SUSI3O.OOO : is sought for the over-all sponsorship of the one- ’ day event or SUSISO,OOO for the two-day contest These figures include the guaranteed fees to ’ jockeys, return air fares, transportations, hotels, meals, eve of championship dinner, prize money and trophies as well as promotional and administrative costs.

All in all the idea will generate a great deal of interest nationwide and if ’ successful could be held in New Zealand on a regular basis. •