Young jockeys took centre stage at Cheltenham racecourse on Saturday (16 October) for the finals of the 2010 Charles Owen Pony Racings series.
The pony racing was held before the second day of the Gloucestershire track’s opening meeting, the Showcase, began.
Connor Flint, cousin of pony racing champion and now jockey Rhys Flint, won the 138cm-and-under race for the second consecutive year aboard Stambrook Marquesa.
Rachel Leyshon, recipient of last year’s Rose Bengal Scholarship, awarded to a rider who has shown commitment and improvement throughout the series, won the 148cm race with Total Eclipse.
New this year was the Jan Wilson Memorial Award, in memory of the young apprentice jockey killed in the Malton fire in Yorkshire in September 2009.
The award gives one pony racer aged 14 or 15 who has accumulated the most points the chance to develop their career, with prizes including a saddle, boots, breeches and media training. This went to Thomas Greenwood.
The Rose Bengal leading rider and scholarship is named after pony Rose Bengal who had three successful seasons racing from 2006-2008 before she was put down after an accident in the field.
The leading rider awards were presented to George Crate and Rachel Leyshon for accumulating the most points throughout the series in the 138cm and 148cm respectively.
The scholarship awards were given to Stan Sheppard in the 138cm and Joe Ponting in the 148cm category.
The Charles Owen sponsorship award was given to Becky Brisbourne.
Also new this year, the leading Scottish rider award went to Tom Hamilton.
For more information visit www.pra.gb.com
