Sponsored by
Howe’s holiday diligence leads to top award
York teenager Ben Howe received the prestigious David Nicholson Newcomer Award at yesterday’s ceremony to honour stable staff – the unsung heroes of horse racing.
He won £5,000 – plus a further £5,000 to be shared among his colleagues at Ruth Carr’s York stables – after judges were impressed by his determination, and his progress with the Northern Racing College.
Even though Howe, 17, comes from a non-horse racing background, his citation illustrated his determination.
It read: “Ben will often do this in his own time and at his own cost. During his annual holiday, he got up at 6am, walked to York Station, caught a train to Doncaster and a taxi to the Northern Racing College.
“He mucked out, rode out with the other students and then spent afternoons on the Equiciser, improving his technique.
“He was then allowed to school the horses and practice putting them through the stalls. He did this for a whole week in his own time.”
Sue Smith’s Stagecoach Opal (16-1), without a victory since December 2006, gave Henry Oliver his 10th win of the campaign in Catterick’s handicap hurdle yesterday.
Meanwhile Micky Hammond’s good run continued with the victory of Sinfield (7-2) in the concluding Bumper.
Promising chaser Crack Away Jack has been switched from up-and-coming trianer Emma Lavelle’s yard to the stables of champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
Owner Danny Charlesworth hopes a change of scenery will spark a return to form for his horse, winner of the 2008 Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and fourth in the Champion Hurdle 12 months later.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.