David scoops major jockey award

David scoops major jockey award

5 June 2019

A FORMER Downpatrick man has been crowned top amateur jump jockey in Britain.

David Maxwell has won the 2018-19 National Hunt Amateur Jockeys Championship.

The 40 year-old was presented with the award during a ceremony at Stratford Racecourse on Friday.

Maxwell won the championship with a total of 18 winners during the season — eight more than his nearest rival.

He goes racing as a means of relaxing and getting away from the day to day stresses of being a commercial property investor in London.

His mother, Judy, said she was “thrilled to bits” at her son’s success.

“I am absolutely delighted and so proud of him,” she remarked. Racing is David’s hobby and passion. He has always dreamed of this.

“He has been riding in point-to-points since his early 20s, but he always wanted success on the racecourse.”

She added: “He has ridden over the big fences at Cheltenham and Aintree against the top professionals. He keeps himself in good condition and is still able to ride at the top level.”