Crowley jumps the biggest hurdle of all to take Flat title

Jim Crowley switched from jumping to the Flat ten years ago in order to pay the bills. On Saturday that decision resulted in him becoming £25,000 richer and taking the priceless mantle of the sport's champion jockey.

The likeable and unassuming 38-year-old rode 253 winners over jumps, but in a world without fences or hurdles his star has soared even higher and on the sport's finale afternoon at Ascot it reached its zenith.

Last year's decision to team up with agent Tony Hind - who previously made both Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes champion - proved inspired. Together they have enjoyed a stunning season, which ended with Crowley, initially quoted at 66-1 for the Stobart-sponsored competition, having pulled decisively clear of 2015 title holder Silvestre de Sousa.