Ben Curtis: new all-weather champion jockey reveals his one regret of the season

Ben Curtis's brilliant winter campaign was rewarded as the leading rider was crowned champion jockey for the latest All-Weather Championships, although he admitted his regret at finishing one shy of Luke Morris's record for most winners in the winter season.

Former Irish champion apprentice Curtis enjoyed an extremely strong winter, bagging 101 winners but just failing to surpass the 2015 tally set by this year's runner-up Morris, who finished 34 winners adrift of Curtis.

Lingfield's £1 million Good Friday Finals day fixture fell victim to the coronavirus pandemic, and Curtis, along with the other newly crowned champions of the series, have donated more than £25,000 from their winners' prizes to an NHS charity.

"I have had a brilliant campaign on the all-weather over the winter," Curtis said. "I rode winners for a lot of different contacts, particularly Mick Appleby and Tony Carroll, who provided me with a lot of winners.

"I had great support around me – I have a brilliant agent in Simon Dodds, my dad came over and drove me for a good while, and my wife kept my head in the right place and looked after our young lad, so I did not have to worry about any of that."

Curtis added: "My one regret is falling just short of Luke Morris's record. I would have loved to set a new British record for the all-weather and, had we been able to finish the season, hopefully I would have done that.

"I am giving a donation of £2,000. The NHS do so much for us on a daily basis. I have had a few falls and they have always looked after me impeccably. I think now more than ever people are appreciating what they do."

Appleby lands trainers' prize again

Tony Carroll and Mick Appleby fought out the trainers' title and it was the last-named who recorded his third championship since 2016 with 54 winners, 15 more than Carroll.

Appleby, who like Curtis donated £2,000 of his champion trainer prize to the local Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "I think that is our best tally of winners for the All-Weather Championships, even though the season ended prematurely.

"I have a great team of staff and owners, and it is lovely to win the champion trainer title again."

Godolphin landed the champion owner title for the sixth consecutive year, enjoying 26 winners through the campaign.

Godolphin's managing director, Hugh Anderson, said: "Full credit must go to the whole team, who have all played a part in another successful season.

"In light of the current situation, it seemed entirely appropriate that we donate our prize to those who are working tirelessly to help the country."

Exciting talent George Rooke claimed the champion apprentice title with 24 wins. He finished ten clear of runner-up Grace McEntee, who – like Rooke – pledged to make a donation from her prize fund.

Dubai Warrior: crowned AWC Horse of The YearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Horse of the Year, which is determined by prize-money, went to the John Gosden-trained Winter Derby hero Dubai Warrior. Owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum will also donate his £10,000 prize for the award.

Gary Moore's Agent Of Fortune claimed the winningmost horse award, having scored seven times on the all-weather during the season, improving a remarkable 32lb in the handicap.

The Foreign Legion Syndicate, owners of the mare, have pledged £1,000 of their prize, as well as supporting the staff at Moore's yard.

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