Retired duo land awards

Recently-retired jockeys Pat Eddery and Norman Williamson were among the winners at Saturday’s Lesters Awards.

The pair were specially honoured for their contribution to the sport at the Jockeys Association ceremony. The award for Flat Jockey of the Year, for which Eddery had also been nominated, went to champion Kieren Fallon. The Jumps equivalent went to Tony McCoy, who earlier reached 2,000 winners in Britain after a four-timer at Wincanton. Eddery, champion jockey 11 times, had his last ride in Britain at Doncaster in November after an outstanding career. Williamson bowed out on medical advice in October after a successful jumps career which included a memorable double in the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1995 with Alderbrook and Master Oats.

Other award winners, voted for by members of the Jockeys Association, were Ryan Moore (apprentice of the year), Lisa Jones (lady jockey of the year) and Marcus Foley (conditional of the year). The award for Flat Ride of the Year was won by Martin Dwyer for his victory on Persian Punch in the Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket in October. Andrew Thornton won the Jumps award after he won the Coral Handicap Chase at Ascot in November on Kingscliff, despite his reins breaking during the race.