TATTOO ARTIST AND FORMER JUMP JOCKEY WORKING WITH NEXT GENERATION WIN AT JETS RICHARD DAVIS AWARDS
Former Jump Jockey Emma Stephenson has won the top prize at the JETS Richard Davis Awards. The annual career showcase for jockeys, the Awards were held today at Warwick Racecourse and celebrate the career development of jockeys and former jockeys from across the UK.
Emma enjoyed 61 winners as a jockey and at the same time gained a teaching qualification whilst riding as an Amateur jockey. After suffering two serious neck fractures, she decided to stop riding and embarked on her second career combining her passion for teaching and horseracing, joining the Scottish Racing Academy in 2019 as a Tutor and Assessor. Since then she has continued to gain qualifications and experience across the industry’s growing education and training network, leading to her current role as Operations Manager, allowing her to be hands on with students whilst also contributing strategically to the Academy and its provision for young people entering the horseracing industry.
Emma said:
“Having had to consider a second career earlier than expected due to the injuries sustained during my riding career, it has been incredibly rewarding to find a role where the knowledge, experiences and relationships built through racing can be passed on to the next generation. These Awards are a great way to celebrate all the ways in which former jockeys can give back to the sport which means so much to them.”
The IJF Enterprise Award is a new award introduced in 2026 for jockeys or former jockeys who’ve started their own business, freelance career, trade or enterprise activity. The inaugural winner is Yorkshire based Flat jockey Andrew Elliott who has ridden for 23 years with over 300 winners. With a talent for art, which he took up again during Covid, he started to consider the next steps in his career during an injury spell, using JETS support to carry out some courses and help qualify him as a tattoo artist. In May 2025, he opened a tattoo studio in Bedale and continues to grow the business whilst also riding out for Karl Burke, enjoying a successful dual career which prepares him for when he is no longer riding as a jockey.
Andrew said:
“Having a dual career has really helped me take the time to develop my business properly. The riding still provides me with income and keeps me fit but I’ve been able to develop the skills and qualifications I need for tattooing alongside my riding. I’m now at the stage when I can look to the future knowing I’ve found a second career I really enjoy and can be successful at. JETS have been so helpful in helping to steer me onto this path and I just wouldn’t be here without them.”
The BHA Development Award, worth £1000, is exclusively for current jockeys and this year’s winner is Ellis Collier (25) based with Syd Hosie in Dorset. Ellis is one of the tallest jockeys in the weighing room and has not only worked hard with his Jockey Coach and PJA nutrition team he has made the most of any opportunities to learn about different aspects of the industry away from riding. He’s completed a number of courses and training days whilst also preparing for his second career by successfully buying and selling horses.
Rachel Jones, JETS Manager, said:
“Once again, our Richard Davis Award winners have all shown fantastic forward planning gaining skills, qualifications and experience which is helping them in their careers now. Our new Enterprise Award has brilliantly highlighted the number of jockeys who’ve shown real entrepreneurship, innovation and initiative to develop thriving businesses alongside or post their riding career.
“What really stands out is the variety of career paths being pursued by jockeys, with this year’s winners providing excellent examples of what can be achieved both within racing and beyond it. It is particularly rewarding to see the progress these individuals have made, and we are pleased that JETS has been able to support their journeys and celebrating their achievements along the way.”