Cheltenham Racecourse today announced that Ann Saunders and Lady Chicky Oaksey are joint winners of this year’s award for ‘the outstanding contribution made by a lady to Jump Racing’.

Ann is company secretary of the Professional Jockeys Association and Lady Oaksey is senior almoner of the Injured Jockeys Fund. The panel of judges, consisting of Zara Phillips, Clare Balding, Jacqui O’Neill and Gee Bradburne, cast their votes and the top two could not be separated, so two awards will be presented this year. Others on the shortlist were Jessica Harrington, Nina Carberry, Melanie Langford (a key member of staff at Henry Daly’s yard) and Denise Large (from Channel 4 racing).

Commenting on the news, Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “I am delighted that both of these ladies who have given so much to our sport will be recognised, in the first dead heat at The Festival since the 1950s! “It is fitting, given the it is the horses and their riders who will be thrilling us next week, that Lady Oaksey and Ann Saunders are winning this award for their work with current and former jockeys.”

Ann Saunders said: “I’m honoured and particularly pleased that Chicky will also be recognised, as I know at first hand the great work that she does.”

Lady Oaksey added: “This is a great thrill and lovely recognition for both the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Professional Jockeys Association.”

The awards will be presented in a ceremony before racing on Ladies Day, Thurdsday, March 13, in the Winner’s Enclosure at Cheltenham Racecourse.