Charlie Duckworth awarded assistant trainer scholarship
Aspiring trainer Charlie Duckworth is heading off to Australia having been awarded a travelling scholarship — which has been created in memory of Newmarket trainer Alex Scott.
Charlie, who has most recently been assistant trainer to H&H columnist Ralph Beckett in Hampshire, will spend time with multiple premiership winning Chris Waller at Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney.
The scholarship is designed to give an assistant trainer the chance to broaden their experience and knowledge in a racing jurisdiction abroad.
Alex Scott’s widow and friends set up the award after he was shot and killed by a former employee at his Newmarket yard 14 years ago.
The British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust (BHEST) has taken over the funding of the scholarship this year after the original legacy was exhausted.
“I am thrilled to have won this important award and wish to thank BHEST for making it possible for me to further my racing education abroad,” Charlie said.
“I have already been very lucky to work for some top trainers, especially in the past 3 seasons with Ralph Beckett.
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“I know I have plenty to learn before I start training and I see this opportunity with Chris Waller as an invaluable part of the career plan.”
The award has previously be won by future successful trainers such as James Given, Eoghan O’Neill, Charlie Longsdon, Amy Weaver and more recently former H&H blogger Toby Cole.
Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.