Jumping Awards 05-06-09

For immediate release 5 June 2009

JOHNSON AND O'REGAN LAND YORKSHIRE JUMPING HONOURS

County Durham trainer Howard Johnson and his stable jockey, Denis O'Regan came out on top in their respective categories during the 2008/09 season over Jumps on the Yorkshire racecourses. The competitions incorporate racing over Jumps at Catterick, Doncaster and Wetherby.

Johnson has secured the Trainers' title in Yorkshire for the fourth consecutive season, this time with a highly-impressive tally of 19 winners - six more than last season. His nearest rivals were Alan King and Donald McCain junior, who both recorded ten winners.

Since moving from Ireland, O'Regan, has quickly made his mark on the northern scene and he takes the Jockeys' award for the first time, posting 17 winners on the Yorkshire tracks, well clear of both Brian Hughes and Wayne Hutchinson, who each recorded ten winners.

The trophies for both categories are provided by Sky Bet and they will be presented to the respective winners at the 'Go Racing in Yorkshire' Annual Awards Lunch in November.

In a separate competition, based on a points system for places obtained and races completed, James Reveley wins the Tom Halliday Memorial Trophy for being the leading Conditional rider during the season on the Yorkshire courses. James is the fourth recipient of this annual award (Keith Mercer, Phil Kinsella and Brian Hughes being the others), presented in memory of the young Yorkshire-based Conditional rider who was killed when riding at Market Rasen in July 2005.

CONTACTS: Graham Orange ('Go Racing in Yorkshire') Tel: 01937 580051