Connor Flint


The progressive sport of Pony Racing will be celebrated on Monday 24th May at the prestigious Anglo-Irish Jump Racing Awards.

Connor Flint (above) aged 14 and cousin of successful Jump jockey Rhys Flint, and George Shaw aged 15 (below) won the 2009 Charles Owen Pony Racing Finals and will each receive an Award at the luncheon in front of an audience of Jump racing's stars.

George Shaw

The very fact that the British Horseracing Authority generously acknowledges Pony Racing at such a respected industry event gives credence to the respect which is now bestowed upon the burgeoning initiative, acknowledging the important role it plays within the industry.

Formally introduced in 2004 to broaden the appeal of racing and to promote the sport to a wider, younger and more diverse audience, Pony Racing quickly established itself as a successful training ground for aspiring jockeys. Over 70 Pony Racing graduates have progressed already to ride successfully and competently in Point-to-Points and under Rules.

Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls comments; "I am a huge supporter of Pony Racing and what it is doing for the sport. The way it has developed over the past few years and the pool of talent that has come through and is coming through Pony Racing is terrific. We should be doing everything we can to encourage it to grow and develop. I am right behind it."

Rebecca Morgan, Chief Executive of The Pony Racing Authority, the sport's governing body; says "In 2009, two English jockeys rode winners at The Festival. This year, six winners were ridden by English jockeys and two were Pony Racing graduates (Hadden Frost and Sam Twiston-Davies). We had always hoped the initiative would encourage more young riders into the sport, and develop and fast-track their skills considerably so that at 16 our riders are as competent and established as their Irish counterparts. I think the results are now speaking for themselves.

"It is a huge privilege for Pony Racing to be honoured at the Anglo-Irish Jump Racing Awards which serves as a reminder of the significant role Pony Racing plays within the industry. It will be a real thrill for the two young riders to accept their awards in front of such a distinguished Jump racing audience and I am delighted that Andrew Thornton and Sam Thomas, both Gold Cup winning jockeys, will be joining The PRA at the Awards. I have recently spoken with and will be meeting Nick Attenborough at Racing for Change to see how Pony Racing can work with RfC in promoting the sport to younger people as there are great synergies between what RfC and Pony Racing want to achieve."