IT’S been an unbelievable year for 20-year-old Welsh jockey Ben Jones.

His meteoric rise through the riding ranks continued last Saturday when he secured the biggest victory of his short career with De Rasher Counter’s win in the £250,000 Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.

Ben only turned professional in August after three years as an amateur rider. He’s based with leading jump trainer Philip Hobbs and is the son for Ffos Las clerk of the course, Dai Jones.

He has now ridden 23 winners from his last 96 rides including his first ever Listed winner Gumball at Ascot several weeks ago. Last week he collected the Rising Star award at the 2019 Welsh Horse Racing Awards. Life could hardly be any better for a young rider really going places.

Two hundred people attended the awards ceremony at Chepstow Racecourse.

Jockey of the Year went to flat rider David Probert. He’s ridden well over a hundred winners in the last year, earning more than £1.2m of prize money.

The Trainer of the Year category was awarded to Vale of Glamorgan based Evan Williams. He earned the most prize money during the qualifying period, over £660,000, mainly due to the exploits of Silver Streak in the Welsh Champion Hurdle, Champion Hurdle and other top races.

The Owner of the Year went to the Down The Quay Club. Their star performer Tobefair is trained in Carmarthenshire by Debra Hamer.

The leading hurdler award was awarded to Silver Streak, and Coral Welsh Grand National entry Potters Corner won the leading chaser category. The Christian Williams trained nine-year-old won the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter. Jackie Coonick, who works for trainer Bernard Llewellyn, won the Stable Staff Award.

The biggest cheer of the night was reserved for trainer Milton Bradley who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He received a standing ovation from the audience.

Milton, who trains at Sedbury Park just outside Chepstow, has trained hundreds of winners since taking out a licence in 1969.

In the 1970s, he trained Mighty Marine to win an incredible 24 races including seven consecutive races in the space of five weeks and three days – and Grey Dolphin won ten races in the 1978/79 season. He then moved on to training flat horses with his biggest success coming in 2004 when The Tatling won the King Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. The Tatling won his final race just before he turned 15 years old!

The next meeting at Chepstow is this Saturday, 7th December. It’s Christmas Party Race Day with The Wurzels playing live after racing. First race is 12.20pm and tickets start from £20 in advance.

Annual membership for 2020 is now on sale too. It’s the perfect Christmas gift for any racing fans in your family. It’s £345 and includes entry to all 30 race meetings and use of the Native River Lounge which overlooks the Winning Line. The badge also allows free entry into Bath, Ffos Las and Hereford racecourses. Call 01291 622260 for more information.