Young jockeys crowned pony racing champions at Cheltenham
Young jockeys Connor Flint and George Shaw were named champions the 2009 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series last weekend at Cheltenham racecourse.
The finals were held on Saturday 17 October at Cheltenham’s opening meeting of the season The Showcase. It was the first time the finals have been hosted by Cheltenham.
Connor Flint, cousin of pony racing champion-turned conditional jockey Rhys Flint, rode Stambrook Marquesa to win the 138cm and under race.
George Shaw and Petite Pois took the 148cm and under race.
Chief executive of the Pony Racing Authority (PRA) Rebecca Morgan said: “Both winners thoroughly deserved it, and the fact Petite Pois cost £750 from Salisbury Market really goes to show how open and accessible the sport is. It was great day, enjoyed by all hopefully, and the PRA is already looking ahead to 2010.”
The Rose Bengal leading rider and scholarship awards were also presented at Cheltenham. The awards are named after racing pony Rose Bengal who had three successful seasons pony racing from 2006-08 before she was put down after an accident in the field.
The scholarship was awarded to a rider in each of the 138cm and 148cm who has shown commitment and improvement throughout the series.
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In the 138cm and under series the award went to Jessica Benfield and in the 148cm it was presented to Rachel Leyshon.
The leading rider awards were presented to George Crate and Alex French for accumulating the most points throughout the series in the 138cm and 148cm respectively.
All award winners will receive 12 months’ membership to the Amateur Jockeys Association, training with the British Racing School, a racing saddle and a placement at a trainer’s yard.
The Charles Owen Pony Racing Series is for young riders aged 11-15. Successful graduates from the series include conditional jockeys Felix de Giles, Hadden Frost and Rhys Flint — who won at Cheltenham on Saturday aboard Right Option.
For more information visit www.pra.gb.com
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.