Pressure gathers in pursuit of Yorkshire prize pride

8:31am Friday 4th April 2008

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PRESTIGIOUS trophies await the leading trainer and jockey who record the most number of winners on Yorkshire racecourses during the 2008 Flat season.

The new British Flat season on turf began recently at Doncaster and there should be a terrific tussle for the top honours in Yorkshire during the months ahead on the Flat with the campaign concluding at Doncaster on Saturday, November 8.

The battle to be the tops in Yorkshire last year was only resolved on the final day of the season, with both categories going right down to the wire. Middleham trainer Mark Johnston clinched the award for the fifth successive year, with 37 winners on the Yorkshire tracks, just a couple of winners more than Malton trainer, Tim Easterby.

It was even closer in the race to be leading jockey on the Yorkshire courses last season, with Paul Hanagan and David Allan ending up with 32 winners apiece. The title went to Hanagan for the first time after several near misses, as he recorded more second places than Allan.

As a new season begins, Dale Tempest, of Sky Bet which is sponsoring the competition, said: "The 2008 season promises to reach new highs in Yorkshire and as long-term sponsors, Sky Bet are not only proud of our association with Go Racing in Yorkshire', but also as partners in the promotion of the first-ever Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival in July."

The trophies will be presented to the respective winners at the Go Racing in Yorkshire' Annual Awards Lunch in November, an event also sponsored by Sky Bet.