These inspirational Awards were established in memory of the late Richard Davis who had started planning for his future before his fatal race fall in 1996.
Judged by a panel of independent judges, JETS Trustees and IJF Almoners (in the case of the IJF Progress Award), the Awards highlight what an important role JETS plays in encouraging and helping jockeys develop the skills required for a range of new careers, not only once they have retired but importantly whilst they are still riding. The entries are judged according to the initiative, forethought, effort and determination put into their career development.
THE AWARDS
The Jockey Club Achievement Award - The top Award designed for those jockeys who have significantly achieved in pursuing their new chosen careers and is worth £3000 to the winner with two runners-up prizes of £500 each.
The IJF Progress Award - Worth £2,000, this Award rewards the early progress of those jockeys who have more recently started out on a new career/training path or who are actively preparing for their future careers while still riding or while injured.
The BHA Current Jockey CPD Award - With a prize of £1000, this is a new award introduced for 2017 for currently licensed jockeys who have shown real commitment to their Continuing Personal Development whilst riding or during injury time out in order to prepare for their future careers and/or to enhance their development as a jockey.
2018 WINNERS
The 2018 Richard Davis Awards took place at Cheltenham Racecourse on Sunday 18th Noember. BHA Starter, Sophia Upton won The Jockey Club Achievement Award with Rodi Greene and John Pritchard as runners-up. Sophia took time out when she retired from riding to raise a family and is now delighted to be back working in the racing industry, having qualified under both Flat and Jump codes and more than doubling her number of days on course since she took on the role of Starter.
Former Flat jockey, George Chaloner took the IJF Progress Award. George rode 137 winners on the Flat before suffering two horrendous falls which led to his retirement. Having shown a very proactive approach with JETS in seeking racecourse experience, George now works as Management Assistant/Trainee Clerk of the Course at Pontefract Racecourse.
Current Flat apprentice, Faye McManoman won the BHA Current Jockey CPD Award. As well as working hard on her riding, Faye has used JETS to do media training and other qualifications in order to prepare for her second career.