McCoy honoured at Lesters

Tony McCoy has taken his total of Lesters to 20 after picking up two more awards at the 23rd annual awards ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

The 17-time champion jump jockey, in Britain, won both the At The Races Jump Ride of the Year for his performance aboard Synchronised in the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup, and was also named Stobart Jump Jockey of the Year for a 16th time.

Champion Flat jockey, in Britain, Richard Hughes claimed his first Lester after being voted Stobart Flat Jockey of the Year by his peers.

The Apprentice Jockey of the Year award went to Amy Ryan, the winner of the 2012 Apprentice Championship, while the Conditional Jockey of the Year was Henry Brooke, the current Champion Conditional.

Lucy Alexander took the prize for the Prolinx Lady Jockey of the Year, which marked the first time in the history of the Lesters that two individual female jockeys had won awards.

Michael O'Connell's ride on Qubuh at Hamilton Park in May was voted Racing Post Flat Ride of the Year by readers of the Racing Post.

The Arena Racing Company Jump Jockey Special Recognition Lester was awarded to the late Campbell Gillies, who tragically died while on holiday last year.

The Flat Jockey Special Recognition award was given to Michael Hills, who announced his retirement from race riding last year after a career spanning five decades and generating over 2,000 winners.

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, said: "For jockeys, there is no greater recognition than that of their peers and winners treasure their awards. Richard Hughes especially is to be warmly congratulated on his first award.

"While the evening was about celebrating the achievements of jockeys, the memory of Campbell Gillies was never far away in people's thoughts and it was a fitting tribute to his memory that the jockeys chose him for the ARC Jump Jockey Special Recognition award.

"The thoughts and prayers of jockeys were also with their colleague JT McNamara and his family."

Andrew Tinkler, Stobart Group's chief executive officer, said: "The Lesters are a fantastic celebration of the great achievements of our jockeys, both on the Flat and over Jumps.

"The contribution of jockeys to the sport of horse racing is hugely valued and we at Stobart are delighted to play a part in honouring these fine sporting stars."