Top jockey Harry Skelton is helping to give young people a leg up into racing with the £500,000 he won in the 2025 David Power Jockeys’ Cup.
Harry has partnered with the Pony Racing Authority to launch the Skelton Scholarship, which will support four riders in its first year.
“I enjoy helping the younger generation. Hopefully this can give them some guidance and help,” said Harry.
“It’s a development programme created to offer our best young riders this opportunity to develop more of the skills they’ll need through their pony racing and hopefully into their professional careers.
“We want to create jockeys, great jockeys, and the next generation of well rounded horsemen and horsewomen. I love horses. I love racing, and I’m delighted to be able to help open some doors to those youngsters coming through into our industry.”
Speaking to broadcaster Nick Luck on Racing TV’s Luck on Sunday programme, Harry said: “We decided to set up a scholarship in my name off the back of winning the David Power Jockey Cup, for young pony racing riders to get one-to-one help from me throughout the season.
“Hopefully it’s something that can benefit some of the riders coming through.”
Grade One-winning former jockey Lizzie Kelly and the Pony Racing Authority’s Caroline Hutsby were also involved in creating the scholarship.
Harry said those on the programme will be able to bring their ponies to the yard for training and he will also give his support on racedays through course walks, an all-round insight into racing and help with their foundational riding skills.
“I grew up on ponies, showjumping and hunting. I was fortunate, I could follow my dad [Olympic showjumping gold medallist Nick Skelton] around everywhere and watch him. But some haven’t been in that position, so hopefully I can help some of the riders,” said Harry.
The David Power Jockeys’ Cup is a points-based competition, whereby jockeys are awarded points for winning and being placed in races televised live by ITV Racing. It last ran in the 2024/25 season and featured a £1.5m prize fund, including £500,000 to the winner.
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