Derby winner Lewis honoured at Welsh racing awards

Geoff Lewis rode Mill Reef to victory at the 1971 Derby

Geoff Lewis, the only Welsh jockey to ride a winner of the Derby, has won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Welsh Horse Racing Awards.

The 88-year-old, who rode Mill Reef to victory at the 1971 Derby, was honoured at the annual ceremony in Cardiff.

Lewis was one of three jockeys who picked up trophies, alongside current riders Sean Bowen, who was crowned National Hunt Jockey of the Year, and David Probert, who was Flat Racing Jockey of the Year.

Other winners were trainers David Evans - Flat Racing Trainer of the Year - and the pair of Peter and Michael Bowen, National Hunt Trainers of the Year.

Lewis - who was born in Talgarth, near Brecon - was a leading jockey on the flat throughout the 1960s and 70s, winning five Classics as well as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1971, also on Mill Reef.

He retired as a jockey in 1979 before turning to training and achieving more success with almost 500 winners.

In his absence through illness, Lewis’ award was received by his daughter Mary and grandchildren Luci and Alex.

Bowen’s award comes after another successful year for the Pembrokeshire jockey, who was runner-up to Harry Cobden last season in the Jump Jockeys’ Championship and is currently five clear of Harry Skelton and leading the standings this season.

Probert, from Bargoed, lies seventh in the Annual Flat Jockeys Championship, having gone past the century mark for winners this year and currently stands on 109.

Trainer Evans has had 37 winners this year on the flat, whilst Peter Bowen - father of Sean - and son Michael have enjoyed 33 winners so far in a Jumps Championship that runs from May to April.

Libberty Hunter - who won twice in a novice campaign last season and was second in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham - was named Chaser of the Year for trainer Evan Williams.

The eight-year-old Libberty Hunter just edged out nominee Al Dancer - who won the Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton at the start of November with Welsh jockey Callum Pritchard on board - for Welsh trainer Sam Thomas.

Lump Sum was named Hurdler of the Year, Flat Racing Horse winner was Blue Prince, whilst Owner of the Year Awards went to Dai Walters (National Hunt) and Alan Peterson (Flat).

There was also an Outstanding Contribution Award for Welsh trainer Bernard Llewellyn.