A local resident and former jump jockey has scooped the top accolade in the JETS Richard Davis Awards.

Sophia Upton was named the winner of the The Jockey Club Achievement Award, after making a success out of her new career as a starter for the British Horseracing Authority. The 2018 Richard Davis Awards took place at Cheltenham Racecourse on Sunday 18th Noember. BHA Starter, Sophia Upton won The Jockey Club Achievement Award with Rodi Greene and John Pritchard as runners-up. Sophia took time out when she retired from riding to raise a family and is now delighted to be back working in the racing industry, having qualified under both Flat and Jump codes and more than doubling her number of days on course since she took on the role of Starter.

The Jockey Club Achievement Award is the top Award designed for those jockeys who have significantly achieved in pursuing their new chosen careers and is worth £3000 to the winner with two runners-up prizes of £500 each.

From the village of Sherborne, near Northleach, Sophia had 59 winners during almost a decade in the saddle.

She retired in 2004 to start a family and for the past three years, has worked for the BHA after seeking assistance from JETS, a scheme which supports jockeys when they decide to hang up their boots.

The annual awards are organised in memory of Richard Davis, who tragically died in a fall in 1996.

Sophia wins £3,000 for her achievements. Jockey coach Rodi Greene and local business owner John Pritchard, both former jump jockeys, each received £500 as runners-up.

Sophia rode as a Jump jockey for 9. Although she left the industry for family commitments, she later decided she wanted to return to work and apply for the job as a starter. This was three years ago, and was when she approached JETS to help her with interview technique and prepare her CV. She has since gone on to thrive in the role, qualifying under both codes and receiving a promotion so she has more than doubled her number of days.

On winning her Award, Sophia said: “It is a huge privilege to win this Award in Richard’s name as I knew him as a jockey. After taking time out with family, convincing myself that I was of use and employable again was a huge step and going for first ever interview was a daunting prospect. I feel very proud to have come so far in my second career already.”See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.