Jockey who swapped riding for ambulance role wins top prize

Former John Smith’s Cup winning jockey, Thomas Brown, has won the top prize at the 2025 JETS Richard Davis Awards in JETS’ 30th anniversary year. 

The 33-year-old will receive the £3000 Jockey Club Achievement Award at a special presentation ceremony at Warwick Racecourse on Tuesday, hosted by Tom Scudamore.Brown rode for seven years, landing the John Smith's Cup on Educate in 2016, but, after a serious knee injury sustained riding out in 2022 aged 30,  needed to reassess his career options and with the support of JETS is now thriving in a second career working for the East of England Ambulance Service.

Despite having no medical background, Brown decided he wanted a career which involved meeting new people and gave him a similar adrenaline rush to being a jockey. 

He used JETS to gain experience shadowing the racecourse medical team before doing a basic first aid course and then embarking on an intensive training period with the Ambulance Service. 

He has quickly progressed from an Emergency Care Assistant to Student Emergency Medical Technician as he continues on the pathway to becoming a fully qualified Paramedic.Brown said:  “I feel I have carried forward the determination, discipline and ability to perform under pressure as a jockey into my second career working for the Ambulace Service. 

"I have had to adapt to a completely new profession, balancing academic study with the demands of long and unpredictable shifts but I’m proud to give back to others and have a positive impact on the community every day.”

Trainer Andrew Balding, who Thomas rode for as an apprentice, said: “I’m delighted but not the least bit surprised to hear Thomas has won this Award.   Whilst he was here, he was such a popular, hard-working, charming person with a huge amount of character and a good chunk of cheekiness.

"He did well in the saddle but he always had lots to give in different areas, taking an interest in others and learning all the time which has obviously helped him in his second career.  It’s fantastic that JETS has helped him channel his skills successfully into a new career.  Well done Thomas.”Rachel Jones, JETS Manager, said:  “The judges were hugely impressed with the finalists for this year’s Awards who were all very deserving of recognition.  Thomas has proved that with hard work and dedication, it’s possible to redirect your career at any stage and his journey is a reminder of the many transferable skills which jockeys have that are attractive to future employers. 

"Thomas has been a real asset to his local community, not only giving back in his role with the Ambulance Service but also by attending Jockey Workshops to help encourage younger jockeys to think about their future career paths and the skills they’re developing which may help them.”

Former Conditional turned Amateur Jockey Tommy Eyston has won the £2000 IJF Progress Award.

The 24-year-old did an undergraduate degree in Chemistry before starting her riding career but following a series of injuries, she reverted to her Cat B Amateur license so she could return to her studies and complete a Master’s degree in Neuroscience at the University of Exeter in which she received a Distinction.

She continues to balance her riding whilst also doing a research internship studying ketamine-assisted therapy to treat alcohol misuse.  She is hoping that eventually her research will help people suffering with mental health conditions within racing.  “After having so many injuries, I realised I was fortunate to have an education behind me which means I’ve been able to start on my second career path as a research scientist whilst also continuing to race ride as an Amateur," she said. "I have to be very organised and disciplined but I find that I am happier when balancing both my riding and my studies.”

The BHA Development Award, worth £1000, is exclusively for current jockeys and this year’s winner is Conditional Conor Rabbitt (23) based in North Yorkshire with Jessica Bedi. 

Despite various injuries, he has continued to work hard with his jockey coach Brian Harding to improve all aspects of his riding including his fitness and nutrition whilst at the same time gaining experience in the bloodstock industry.  He has now set up his own company CR Bloodstock which he intends to develop alongside his riding.  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.