Jockey Club Racecourses North West have announced the £20,000 development award for female jockeys will return at Carlisle Racecourse - with Sam Quek offering her backing.

Quek MBE, an Olympic gold medallist, will be supporting the award as a Jockey Club Racecourses North West (JCRNW) ambassador as it returns for a second year.

Last year saw the inauguration of the development award, a £20,000 prize designed to provide an opportunity for personal development and professional support for female jockeys in their racing career.

Emma Sayer, from Hackthorpe, near Penrith, won the award in 2016.

This year, the unique award will be presented to a lady jockey who rides a winner at Carlisle’s #AmazingMonday fixture on August 7 and then goes on to win the Betfred Ladies’ Trophy Handicap Stakes at Haydock Park on August 12.

Sayer said: "The development award is a great initiative put on by Jockey Club Racecourses North West.

"It’s fantastic to see racecourses supporting both amateur and professional jockeys. Crossing the finish line was such a surreal feeling - I’ve never saluted when passing the Winning Post before, the adrenaline I had was a moment I’ll never forget!

“It would be fabulous to see another jockey win the award as it provides invaluable support to females within the sport.

"For me, it has allowed me to buy a mechanical horse to prep for races, racing equipment and I am going to undertake trainer’s modules soon."

Quek has a passion for promoting women in sport and encouraging young girls to take part in sport.

She said: "It’s fantastic to be an ambassador for JCRNW and an honour to be asked to support such a great initiative.

"Being a sportswoman myself, I know how beneficial and unique this opportunity to a female jockey is, and, an award that could open many doors to young lady riders.

“I am really looking forward to supporting Carlisle’s #AmazingMonday this summer."

Regional Director of Jockey Club Racecourses North West John Baker added: "Jockey Club Racecourses North West is dedicated to supporting and promoting enhancing women in sport and business.

"And we’re excited to provide this opportunity to a highly-talented jockey for the second consecutive year."

The development award and the new female-only Ladies Trophy at Haydock are two new exciting initiatives by Jockey Club Racecourses NW to raise the profile of women in racing and which will complement the esteemed female-only raceday at Carlisle Racecourse in August.