News

PJA - 1st October 2024 - Lesters Awards for Jockeys return in association with World Pool

PJA - 1st October 2024 - Lesters Awards for Jockeys return in association with World Pool

October 1

British horseracing’s ‘Oscars’ for professional jockeys, the annual Lesters awards, in association with World Pool, will be held in front of an audience for the first time since 2018 at Newbury Racecourse on Sunday 22nd December 2024.

Hosted by ITV Racing presenters Luke Harvey and Adele Mulrennan, the glittering black-tie evening ceremony will see eight highly coveted Philip Blacker trophies awarded to Britain’s finest jockeys, voted for by their peers and the racing public.

Last year’s main winners, William Buick, Billy Loughnane and Brian Hughes will be hoping for further success, this time in front of their weighing room colleagues, but the competition is intense and has been since the Lesters were inaugurated in 1990.

This year’s ceremony will be held for the first time at Newbury Racecourse where up to 400 guests will enjoy a drinks reception, three-course dinner (with wine) and a glittering evening of entertainment in the company of many of our leading riders. With no racing the following day, it’s the equivalent of the jockeys’ Christmas party.

Commenting on their first involvement with The Lesters, Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products at the HKJC, said:

“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Lesters Awards for the first time, underlining our commitment not just to supporting the best races around the world but also the stars of the saddle too.

“This year we launched our inaugural World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys’ Championship with a prize of £50,000 going to a charity of the winning rider’s choice, and sponsoring the Lesters was a fantastic opportunity to increase our support for jockeys in the UK.

“The UK has produced many of the finest jockeys in history and we look forward to recognising established stars as well as emerging ones at this year’s Lesters Awards in December.”

Paul Struthers, Chief Executive of The PJA said:

“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Lesters Awards for the first time, underlining our commitment not just to supporting the best races around the world but also the stars of the saddle too.

“This year we launched our inaugural World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys’ Championship with a prize of £50,000 going to a charity of the winning rider’s choice, and sponsoring the Lesters was a fantastic opportunity to increase our support for jockeys in the UK.

“The UK has produced many of the finest jockeys in history and we look forward to recognising established stars as well as emerging ones at this year’s Lesters Awards in December.”