Richard Johnson among four riders nominated for two prestigious awards

Champion jump jockey Richard Johnson has been nominated for two awards at the Stobart Lesters, which will take place on December 22 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London.

Johnson, who features in the Jump Jockey Special Recognition and Stobart Jump Jockey of the Year categories, joins three rising stars of the weighing room – James Bowen, Nicola Currie and Hollie Doyle –to have been nominated for two prizes this year.

Voting for seven of the Lesters awards is by ballot among members of the Professional Jockeys Association; Flat Ride of the Year has been chosen by Racing Post readers, while the Jump Ride of the Year, sponsored by At The Races, has been decided by votes on the TV channel’s website. Both polls are now closed.

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the PJA, said: "Jockeys strive for big winners and there's no greater recognition for a jockey than that of their peers and the public, which is what makes winning a Lester so special.

"We have returned the Stobart Lesters to London for the first time in many years and it will be held at an exciting new venue. We still have a few tickets remaining but they’re selling fast.”

Tickets cost £180 each and can be purchased by contacting the PJA office on 01635 778108.

Nominations

Lady Jockey of the Year

Bridget Andrews
Nicola Currie
Hollie Doyle
Rachel Richardson

Apprentice Jockey of the Year

Nicola Currie
Callum Rodriguez
Rossa Ryan
Jason Watson

Conditional Jockey of the Year

James Bowen
Ross Chapman
Ciaran Gethings
Sean Houlihan

Flat Jockey Special Recognition

George Baker
Steve Drowne
Ted Durcan
PJ McDonald

Racing Post Flat Ride of the Year

David Allan on Wells Farhh Go at Newmarket, July 12
Connor Beasley on Jack Blane at Hamilton, September 24
Hollie Doyle on Daddy’s Poppit at Chelmsford, September 6
Eoin Walsh on Storm Lightning at Wolverhampton, September 22

At The Races Jump Ride of the Year

James Bowen on Raz De Maree at Chepstow, January 6
Lucy Gardner on Snazz Man at Fontwell, May 9
Lizzie Kelly on Coo Star Sivola at Cheltenham, March 13
Sam Twiston-Davies on Politologue at Aintree, April 13

Jump Jockey Special Recognition

Ryan Hatch
Richard Johnson
Timmy Murphy
Andrew Thornton

Stobart Flat Jockey of the Year

Silvestre De Sousa
James Doyle
Oisin Murphy
Danny Tudhope

Stobart Jump Jockey of the Year

Noel Fehily
Brian Hughes
Richard Johnson
Harry Skelton

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