On Saturday 14 March the Racing Excellence All Weather Hands and Heels Series Final reaches its conclusion at Lingfield Park. Over the 10 races in the series Jockeys have been scored by a BHA coach under a new point’s system, which involved being marked on race position, presentation, professionalism, attending the course walk and riding.

There is everything to play for in the final with just two points separating the top two Jockeys. Richard Hannon’s Apprentice, Tom Marquand currently heads up the leader board with 42 points, having won the last three races in the Series. Hot on his heels is Rob Hornby, Apprentice to Andrew Balding, on 40 points, followed by Hector Crouch, based with Gary Moore on 33 points. In the final the points are awarded according to finish positions: first place – five points, second place – three points, third place –  two points and fourth place – one point. Jockeys are also given two points for walking the course. If jockeys fail to attend the pre-race course walk they forfeit all their points on the day.

Racing Excellence runs alongside the BHA Jockey Coaching Programme and is the industry accreditation for all apprentice and conditional races which run under hands and heels or training race conditions. Racing Excellence has been run by The British Racing School since February 2014. The BHA Jockey Coaching Programme gives all Apprentices and Conditionals the opportunity to have a coach. Coaches can be on hand to help with fitness, riding technique, nutrition and race reviews. A coach attends every Racing Excellence race to conduct the pre-race course walk and does a debrief after the race. Newmarket based coach Michael Tebbutt will be on course for the Final.

The winner of the series will collect a £1000 prize of their choice to be used towards developing their career, this could be anything from a fuel card to a horse simulator. Previous winners of the title include Louis Steward, Joey Haynes and Lucy Barry.

For more information on Racing Excellence or the Jockey Coaching Programme please contact Jennie Durrans, [email protected] or call 01638 669039.