Nominees for the 2021 Lester announced
Nominees for the Lesters 2021 Awards were announced today on Sky Sports Racing with the broadcasters due to host the awards presentation live on the evening of Friday 25 February.
Once again Sky Sports Racing have come together with the PJA to host the popular Lesters Awards ceremony which recognises the achievements of jockeys during 2021. Winners and special guests will be joined in the studio by regular presenters Luke Harvey and Jason Weaver.
Voting for seven of the Lesters awards is by ballot among members of the Professional Jockeys Association, with the Flat Ride of the Year chosen by Racing TV viewers and the Jump Ride of the Year selected by Sky Sport Racing Viewers. Both polls are now closed, and all winners will be announced during the live show.
The 2021 season provided another fruitful one for Hollie Doyle and she leads the way with three Lesters nominations, including Female Jockey of the Year and the hotly contested Flat Jockey of the Year, where her opposition are a repeat of the 2020 nominees line up, Tom Marquand, William Buick and Oisin Murphy.
Jump Jockey of the Year will this year be fought out between Champion Jockey Harry Skelton, Brian Hughes, Sean Bowen, and National Hunt legend Richard Johnson.
Viewers can watch the awards live on Sky Sports Racing, with the show getting under way at 8.30 pm following a day of racing from Lingfield, Meydan and Wolverhampton.
Sky Sports Racing Director of Broadcast Rob Dakin said:
“Sky Sports Racing is once again pleased to be airing coverage of the Lesters Awards on television and across Sky Sports and At The Races digital platforms. The jockeys who entertain us day in and day out deserve their talent, bravery and skill to be showcased to a wider audience and we are proud to help recognise them.”
Dale Gibson, interim CEO for the PJA said:
“Since the inaugural Lesters in 1991, jockeys and their support team have always looked forward to their annual awards ceremony. The event celebrates the incredibly talented pool of Jockeys across both codes of the sport. We are delighted that Sky Sports Racing are able to assist us in the production of the live event the best of luck.”
THE LESTERS 2021
NOMINEES 2021 (Alphabetical order) Apprentice Jockey of the Year
⮚ Stefano Cherchi
⮚ Billy Garritty
⮚ Marco Ghiani
⮚ Thore Hammer Hansen
Conditional Jockey of the Year
⮚ Kevin Brogan
⮚ Charlie Hammond
⮚ Danny McMenamin
⮚ Jordan Nailor
Flat Ride of the Year
⮚ Ray Dawson- Marshal Dan- Sandown- 10/09/21
⮚ Ryan Moore- Saratoga Gold- Newbury- 24/08/21
⮚ Andrew Breslin -Desert Boots- Southwell-04/02/21
⮚ Cieren Fallon -Oxted - Royal Ascot- 15/06/21
Jump Ride of the Year
⮚ Charlie Deutsch – Snuff Box- Haydock- 03/04/21
⮚ Tom O’Brien- Thyme Hill- Aintree- 10/04/21
⮚ James Bowen- Mot A Mot –
Chepstow 25/02/ 21
⮚ Sean Quinlan -For Jim – Hexham –
9/10/21
Female Jockey of the Year
Flat Jockey Special Recognition
Jump Jockey Special Recognition
⮚ Nicola Currie
⮚ Hollie Doyle
⮚ Bryony Frost
⮚ Joanna Mason
⮚ Ella McCain
⮚ William Buick
⮚ Hollie Doyle
⮚ Joe Fanning
⮚ Adam Kirby
⮚ Richard Johnson
⮚ Jamie Moore
⮚ Tom O’Brien
⮚ Harry Skelton
Flat Jockey of the Year
⮚ William Buick
⮚ Hollie Doyle
⮚ Tom Marquand
⮚ Oisin Murphy
Jump Jockey of the Year
⮚ Sean Bowen
⮚ Brian Hughes
⮚ Richard Johnson
⮚ Harry Skelton
Notes for Editors:
For further information please contact Izzy Desailly, Commercial Manager at the PJA on 01635
778108 or email [email protected]