By Graham Thomas
Welsh jump jockey Alan Johns has won a top award after becoming the new face and voice of horse racing.
Johns, who rides for the Tim Vaughan stable in the Vale of Glamorgan, has won the Jockeys Education and Training Scheme (JETS) Progress Award in recognition of his burgeoning media career.
The 35-year-old regular rider at Chepstow Racecourse has become a big social media hit in the racing world and now fronts campaigns to lift the profile of the sport on behalf of The Jockey Club and Great British Racing.
For the past two seasons, he has also produced popular videos that involve shining a light on the world of racing and the often-secretive life of jockeys in the weighing room.
Racing explained: how much do jockeys earn? My latest video for @DragonBetWales is an explainer video. Let me know if you found this interesting or completely boring /? pic.twitter.com/yfZDReBNb5
— Alan Johns (@alanjohnsy) October 29, 2024
In recent clips viewed thousands of times online, the saddled-up influencer has uncovered what jockeys eat before races, the role of agents, and how much – or little – jockeys earn.
Johns has also been integral in promoting the charity Welsh Jump Jockeys Derby and in growing the profile of his sponsor, DragonBet.
Now, he has won the £2,000 Progress Award at the 2024 JETS Richard Davis Awards in recognition of the progress he has made developing a career in the media alongside his riding.
“Obviously my riding always comes first but I do have spare time and I’ve always been interested in creating content on camera,” said Johns.
“I’ve really enjoyed building up my experience especially on social media and the courses I’ve done through JETS and the support they’ve given me has really given me the confidence to explore different media opportunities.”
Last year Johns took part in the Jockey Ambassador training programme run by the racing industry to help jockeys develop skills to raise their own profile and that of the wider sport.
Through JETS, he has also completed a number of media training and presentation skills courses and they have funded him to carry out a drone filming course.
Phil Kinsella, JETS personal development manager said: “Through JETS we are always encouraging jockeys to develop skills and other work alongside their riding.
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“Alan has demonstrated perfectly how jockeys can develop a dual career, building up his contacts and experience that broadens his skillset and hopefully will ensure a smooth transition so that when he eventually does stop riding, he has made a head start in the direction he wants to go in.”
Johns was presented with his trophy and prize at a special awards ceremony held at Warwick Racecourse on Tuesday.
James Lovell, DragonBet director, said: “We’re over the moon to hear that he has deservedly won this award and look forward to seeing his continued development helped in no small part by JETS and the part they have played in allowing him to realise his talents away from the saddle.”
Welsh Jockey Alan Johns About To Raise Money By Going Way Beyond The Final Furlong