The McCoys, founded last year, celebrate outstanding performances at all Jockey Club Jump Racecourses during the 2017/18 season and are announced on Friday evening, September 28.
The awards are named The McCoys after Sir A P McCoy, the record-breaking 20-time champion Jump jockey who retired from race riding in April, 2015.
Europe’s leading horse feed manufacturer Dodson & Horrell is the main event partner of the awards, which reflect on the triumphs and the highlights of last season and exist to recognise the individuals and horses without whom Jump Racing would not prosper.
The success of the first-ever The McCoys, which were limited to the four Jockey Club Racecourses in the South West but now have been expanded to take in all Jockey Club Racecourses over jumps, prompted the wider remit.
Paul Nicholls, J P McManus, Harry Cobden, James Bowen, Many Clouds and Ollie McPhail were among the winners who gained a prestigious McCoy statue 12 months ago.
The awards’ categories are listed below, with winners in brackets for those already decided by the numbers of wins over the season.
Leading Owners, Sponsored by Bentley:
- Four or more horses (J P McManus)
- Three or fewer horses (John White and Anne Underhill – Le Rocher)
Leading Trainer, Sponsored by Beach Independent:
- Less than 40 horses (Nick Williams)
- More than 40 horses (Nicky Henderson)
Leading Jockeys, Sponsored by Brewin Dolphin:
- Professional (Harry Skelton)
- Conditional Jockey (James Bowen)
- Amateur (Mr Lorcan Williams)
Frequent Runners, Sponsored by Equi-Trek:
- Less than 40 horses (Jeremy Scott)
- More than 40 horses (Colin Tizzard)
Horse of the Season, Novice Hurdler & Hurdler, Sponsored by NAF (Novice Hurdler – Apple’s Shakira, Hurdler – Star Foot)
Horse of the Season, Novice Chaser & Chaser, Sponsored by UBS (Novice Chaser – Cyrname, Chaser – Politologue)
Horse Performance of the Season, Sponsored by Rosconn Group
Pony Racing Achievement of the Season, Sponsored by Winner Events
Judges Choice Award, Sponsored by WO Lewis
Racing Ride of the Season, Sponsored by Natural Green
Horse of the Season, Sponsored by Shloer
Stable Person of the Year, Sponsored by Racing Post
Outstanding Contribution Award, Sponsored by Dodson & Horrell
Ian Renton, Regional Director of Jockey Club Racecourses, Cheltenham & the South West, commented: “The success of the first McCoys means we have expanded the remit of the awards to cover all Jump Racing at Jockey Club Racecourses.
“The McCoys highlight all the fantastic racing which took place last season and we have categories to celebrate the champions and achievements of both equine and human stars.
“Jump Racing at Jockey Club Racecourses is very important and competitive, something The McCoys reward.”
Sir A P McCoy said: “I was delighted with the first The McCoys and it is great that the awards are being given out again this year.
“I have been involved again on the judging panel and look forward to the announcement of the awards on Friday.”
The McCoys will be presented before an audience of 450 in the Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse on the evening of Friday, September 28.
The panel of judges for the second edition of The McCoys comprised of Henrietta Knight, trainer of the three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Best Mate, Steve Jones, racing correspondent of The Sun, Cheltenham Racecourse’s Director of Racing and Clerk of the Course Simon Claisse and Sir A P McCoy.
The Jockey Club Racecourses that host fixtures over jumps are Aintree, Carlisle, Cheltenham, Exeter, Haydock Park, Huntingdon, Kempton Park, Market Rasen, Sandown Park, Warwick and Wincanton.
