Johnson and Crowley honoured at Lesters

Richard Johnson and Jim Crowley were among those honoured at the 26th Stobart Lesters awards on Thursday night in a ceremony held for the first time at the Ricoh Arena in the Midlands.

The pair this year won their first jockeys' championships over jumps and on the Flat respectively, and were voted for by their colleagues as Jump Jockey of the Year and Flat Jockey of the Year.

Champion apprentice Josephine Gordon was called to the platform twice as she was voted both Lady Jockey of the Year and Apprentice Jockey of the Year.

Craig Nichol received the Lester as Racing Excellence Conditional Jockey of the Year, fresh from his crowning as champion conditional earlier this year.

At The Races viewers chose conditional jockey Colm McCormack's effort aboard Fiddler's Flight at Sedgefield for Jump Ride of the Year, while Racing Post readers voted for the Flat Ride of the Year, which went to Robert Winston for his ride on Librisa Breeze at Ascot.

The late journalist and broadcaster Tom O'Ryan was chosen by both Flat and jump jockeys for their respective Special Recognition awards. The champion apprentice trophy this year had already been named in honour of O'Ryan, who died during the summer after a short battle with cancer, aged 61.

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, said: "The Stobart Lesters are always a special occasion and they have come a long way since they were launched in 1990, and this year's ceremony didn't disappoint.

"It was a truly superb ceremony recognising the dedication, bravery and skill of jockeys rounded off for the second year running by a fabulous performance from Ronan Keating.

"All of those jockeys who won this evening will be thrilled and will cherish their awards. On behalf of the PJA and its members we'd like to congratulate Josephine - who won two Lesters - Robert, Craig, Colm, Jim and Richard.

"Jockeys lost one of their greatest friends and supporters, Tom O'Ryan, this year. His contribution was immense and he is much missed. The fact that he was not only nominated by both codes - Flat and jump jockeys - for their Special Recognition Lester, but won both as well, speaks volumes of the esteem in which Tom was held.

"It has been the end of a difficult year, with bad news never far away. The loss of Tom, JT McNamara, Mark Birch and Walter Swinburn has hit the weighing room hard, as did the injuries suffered by Freddy Tylicki, who was in everyone's thoughts tonight as he starts his rehabilitation.

"It is even more important at times like these that on behalf of the PJA's members, we recognise and show our gratitude to Stobart Group, not just for supporting the Lesters but for sponsoring jockeys collectively which helps provide them with career ending insurance and also for sponsoring the championships. It is very much appreciated."