RACEHORSE trainer Jedd O’Keeffe’s North Yorkshire yard has been crowned the Lycetts Team Champion 2019 winner - an industry award which celebrates Britain’s best managed racehorse training yards.

Jedd O’Keeffe Racing was named winner of the “fewer than 40 horses” category at the awards ceremony in London at the end of last month. ITV Racing presenter Sally Ann Grassick hosted the ceremony.

Jedd, who has two decades worth of racehorse training experience, beat off competition from training yards across the nation to clinch the £4,000 cash prize, which will go towards benefitting and supporting the team.

Speaking after the award-win, Jedd, whose yard is based in Middleham, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to see our hard-working team recognised with the Lycetts Team Champion award.

“It was a tough category as we were up against some fantastic teams, who are doing an excellent job around the country. It was a brilliant experience taking part and we are truly honoured that our team has been recognised in this way.”

The National Trainers Federation (NTF) and Lycetts Insurance Brokers created the Lycetts Team Champion Award to deliver praise and a sense of achievement for the racehorse training yards with the highest standards of employee management, and to recognise and reward race horse training yards with strong team ethos.

For the 2019 award, there were two categories – those with fewer than 40 horses in training and those trainers with more than 40 horses in training, with the judging criteria based on the bespoke industry standard The Winning Approach. The judging panel was headed by equine performance coach and industry stalwart Yogi Breisner.