A Malpas-based horse racing yard has won a prestigious industry award.

Tom Dascombe’s Manor House Stables yard was crowned the Lycetts Team Champion 2019 winner for yards with more than 40 horses.

He was shortlisted alongside the likes of Andrew Balding, Warren Greatrex and Richard Hughes.

The £4,000 cash prize will go towards benefitting and supporting Tom's team.

He said: “I am absolutely thrilled for our yard to win the Lycetts Team Champion Award.

"I am extremely proud of the fact that the system and team that we have put together works so well. I think that it is key that everyone understands their role, knows their job and works for the benefit of everyone.

“This is one of the reasons why we spend a lot of time on training.

"Thank you to Lycetts for sponsoring the NTF initiative to recognise good working practice.”

The award, which celebrated Britain's best managed racehorse training yards, was presented at the National Trainers Federation AGM at the Institute of Directors in London last Thursday.

Piers Plunket, divisional director at Lycetts, said: “I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Tom on his Lycetts Team Champion win.

“Racehorse trainers and their staff make a great contribution to the world of British horseracing and this award shines a spotlight on all the hard work that is carried out on these yards.

“Our mission is to instil a sense of achievement in the best managed yards and demonstrate the merits of teamwork. In addition, we see the award as the perfect way of raising awareness of safe working practices to help reduce the risk of workplace injuries.”

Rupert Arnold, chief executive of the NTF, added: “The Lycetts Team Champion award is in its second year and I am delighted at how enthusiastically trainers and their staff have responded. By participating, they have opened their businesses to scrutiny by knowledgeable professionals and demonstrated that British racehorse trainers offer great places to work.

“Tom is very worthy winner and we congratulate the winners, as well as all of the other applicants who achieved a star-rating from the judges, in recognition of the high standard of their employment practices.”