FORMER JOCKEY NOW THRIVING IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WINS TOP CAREER PRIZE
Former Conditional jockey, Sam Welton (34) has won the top prize at the 2024 JETS Richard Davis Awards in recognition of the achievements he has made in his second career after race riding. The prestigious industry awards are held annually to celebrate the career development of jockeys and former jockeys. Sam was presented with the £3000 Jockey Club Achievement Award at a special presentation ceremony at Warwick Racecourse today, hosted by former top jockey Tom Scudamore.
After his riding career, Sam continued to work in racing for a number of years before deciding to pursue a second career in construction and now works as a site agent based in Yorkshire. Welton has liaised continually with JETS (Jockeys Education & Training Scheme) over the past ten years who supported him in gaining the Access qualification required to go to university. With the help of a JETS scholarship, he went on to achieve a 2:1 degree in Structural and Civil Engineering graduating in 2023. He is now working as a site agent for JN Bentley, a construction and engineering business.
Sam, who is currently working on two projects in Yorkshire including the £19 million Yorkshire wastewater treatment works project at Killinghall, said:
“I am very grateful to JETS for all the support they’ve provided me with. As well as the financial support, they have guided me through times when I’ve struggled personally or with my studies and so I feel very proud to have secured such a good second career in such a growing sector. I have so many opportunities to develop my career even further and have gained so much advice and guidance from my employers too. I think racing has taught me skills which have really helped me in my second career and winning this Award is proof that all the hard work has been worth it.”
Lisa Delany, JETS Manager, said: “We are so pleased that Sam has found his ideal career within the construction industry. His journey to this point has not always been easy and he had to juggle working alongside his studies but we had every confidence that he would be successful and it’s wonderful to see him thriving in his current role for JN Bentley especially as he is so passionate about the environment. Racing has taught him excellent people skills and a strong work ethic which is clearly a great benefit to him now and we wish him all the best as he continues to develop further.”
JETS first hosted the Richard Davis Awards in 1997 in memory of jockey Richard Davis who had started planning for his future before he tragically lost his life in a race fall in 1996. The annual awards highlight the career development of both former jockeys and current jockeys and showcase the services provided by JETS to help jockeys prepare for their futures in order to secure a successful transition from riding.