The competition will span several months, with jockeys earning points in any race broadcast on ITV Racing. Points will be awarded based on finishing positions: 10 points for a win, eight for second, six for third, and four for fourth. The jockey who accumulates the most points throughout the season will be crowned the winner and take home the grand cash prize of £500,000. The jockey finishing in second place will receive £200,000, while the third-place finisher will earn £100,000. Additional prize money will be awarded to jockeys finishing in positions 4 through 10, ensuring a competitive season right down to the final race.
Several of the UK’s most prominent jockeys are already lined up to take part in the competition. Current champion jump jockey Harry Cobden, along with top riders like Harry Skelton, Nico de Boinville, and Rachael Blackmore, are all set to vie for the prestigious title. Cobden, who is widely regarded as one of the best jump jockeys in the sport, said, “It’s a huge amount on offer, and I’m sure it will create some great competition. We’ll all be trying to win as many of those ITV races as we can. There’s a lot of motivation for everyone to give their absolute best throughout the season.”
Harry Skelton, a former Champion Jockey and one of the frontrunners in National Hunt racing, added that the David Power Jockeys’ Cup would become the “pinnacle of the sport” for National Hunt jockeys. He emphasized the “transformative amount of money” that will be on offer and predicted that it would draw even more attention to the sport. “This will really elevate National Hunt racing,” Skelton said. “With the incredible prize fund, it’s something that will drive competition and inspire jockeys to perform at their highest level.”
Rachael Blackmore, the Irish jockey who made history by becoming the first woman to win the Grand National in 2021 and also claimed the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022, shared her thoughts on the competition. Although she is currently recovering from an injury, Blackmore is excited by the prospect of the Jockeys’ Cup. “It adds a massive layer of excitement to what already promises to be another highly competitive season,” she said. “It’s fantastic to see this level of innovation and investment in racing, particularly for jockeys. The prizes on offer are incredible, and this competition presents a fantastic opportunity to showcase the very best of the sport.”
The David Power Jockeys’ Cup is being supported by Flutter, the parent company of Paddy Power, along with the Jockey Club, Great British Racing, and the Professional Jockeys’ Association. These organizations have worked together to create a competition that rewards jockeys for their hard work, skill, and determination over the course of the entire National Hunt season.
In addition to the primary competition for jockeys, there are also plans to offer prizes for trainers, racing staff, and the two leading conditional jockeys, ensuring that the broader racing community will benefit from the significant investment in the sport. This initiative aims to give recognition to the unsung heroes behind the scenes and further support the people who play vital roles in the racing industry.
With a prize fund of £1.5 million up for grabs, the David Power Jockeys’ Cup is set to raise the stakes for National Hunt jockeys and inject a new level of excitement into the racing calendar. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the ITV Racing broadcasts, with fans and competitors alike eager to see who will emerge victorious from what promises to be a highly competitive and thrilling season of racing.
