Apprentice William Carson, grandson of former champion jockey and BBC racing presenter Willie Carson, has won the 2007 Pertemps People Development Hands and Heels Apprentice Series; that is providing he does not use his whip on his mount in the final race of the series at Doncaster on Saturday, when the penalty would result in him being stripped of all points and the series and a riding suspension.

William Carson

William has abided by the rules well and avoided using his whip throughout the series and the final race should not present a problem to him.

The Hands and Heels Apprentice Series was launched in 1999, designed to develop jockey's riding skills, encouraging them to ride tactically and push a horse out through "hands and heels" rather than the whip.

Going into the race William is seven points ahead of second placed Laura Reynolds. Throughout the series points have been awarded for a combination of win and places plus Jockey Coach judging on riding skills and professionalism displayed. To enable a result and the presentation to take place on Saturday, only win and place points will be taken into account for the final race, although riders will still be expected to take part in the jockey coach activities - walking the course and the video review.

In their inaugural year of sponsoring the series, Pertemps People Development Group will sponsor the winning jockey for the following twelve months, providing branded riding clothing and equipment as well as a trophy and a £500 cash prize.

Pertemps People Development Group's Managing Director, Steve King, comments: "It has been great to be part of a race series that plays a fundamental part in developing young jockey's skills and careers - it fits very well with what our company is all about. I am sure William will go on to greater things and we will watch his career develop with interest - particularly the next twelve months when he will be carrying our logo. We wish him many congratulations on winning the series and the very best with his riding career in the future".

Richard Perham, Jockey Coach at the British Racing School comments: "William has improved throughout the series, not only in his riding skills but also in his professional approach to riding in a race. From the start of the year William made it one of his goals to win the Pertemps People Development Group Hands and Heels Series and I am delighted that he has succeeded in achieving this".