A BITTERSWEET DAY FOR BECKY SMITH.

On Saturday June 14th at York racecourse Becky Smith attempted to win the prestigious 'Queen Mother's Cup Handicap' for female amateur jockeys on her 14th attempt in the race. This time she thought she would have to settle for second place being beaten by just a head, but on watching the replay it appears that the 'winning' jockey used her whip on more occasions than the rules allow, and therefore she will almost certainly be disqualified from first place, giving Becky her first win in the race.

The crux of the matter is that after the race the winning jockey gets to sit on a set of scales in the winners enclosure, where she receives cases of champagne equivalent to her weight, and one of Becky's ambitions was to embrace that unique presentation, which sadly now will be denied to her, even so it is highly likely that she will be awarded the race in due course.

To keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Oakwood Stables, Sharp Hill, and Curlew, click on 'NEWS' at www.mickyhammondracing.

Becky & Justforjames, taken in 2021.