6th October 2016

Hi ,

Exciting new awards for owners, trainers, jockeys, stable staff and horses running at Cheltenham and the three other Jockey Club Racecourses in the South West of England, Warwick, Wincanton and Exeter, will go the champions of the region this season.

The awards will be called the "McCoys" after Sir A P McCoy, the recording-breaking 20-time Champion Jump Jockey who retired from race riding in April, 2015.

Ian Renton, Regional Director of Jockey Club Racecourses, Cheltenham & the South West, explained: "The four courses in our region, Cheltenham, Exeter, Warwick and Wincanton, are devoted entirely to Jump Racing and, with so many of our leading trainers and jockeys based in the South West, we feel it is important to recognise this great region and we are delighted to be launching the inaugural McCoys.”

"We want to highlight all the fantastic racing that takes places at the four racecourses across the season and we have a number of categories to celebrate the champions and achievements of both equine and human stars.”

"Jump Racing in the South West is very competitive and I am sure that these awards will only strengthen that position."

The McCoys were launched Friday evening, September 30, at a dinner in The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse attended by 270 people and hosted by Jill Douglas. The awards themselves will be announced on Friday, October 27, 2017, the evening of the first race day of the season at Cheltenham.

Sir A P McCoy commented: "I'm delighted that the new Jockey Club South West region awards are to be called the McCoys.”

"I have many happy memories of riding at all the four courses during my career and will now take extra interest in the racing at Warwick, Cheltenham, Wincanton and Exeter this season!”

"I shall very much look forward to the awards next autumn and being on the judging panel."

At Newmarket on Saturday in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes run over 7f Churchill looks ready for victory.

Yours In Sport!

The Colonel