Joy for Jack Mitchell as he lands £25,000 Racing League leading jockey bonus

Jack Mitchell and his team talkSPORT took top honours as the inaugural Racing League concluded at Newcastle on Thursday evening.

After six weeks and 36 handicaps worth £50,000 each, it was the Rupert Bell-managed team consisting of trainers Michael Bell, James Fanshawe, Roger Varian and Ed Dunlop with jockeys Hollie Doyle, Cieren Fallon, Ray Dawson and Mitchell who came out on top with 368.5 points.

However, it was Mitchell who stole the show as he inspired the talkSPORT revival to overturn a 41 point deficit they had on Team ThoroughBid heading into the final fixture of the six-meeting competition.

Mitchell rode a double on the final night of the Racing League at Newcastle to pull clear into an unassailable leadCredit: Andrew Parker/Grossick Racing

Mitchell, who found himself seven points behind joint-leaders Hayley Turner and Louis Steward at the start of the day, quickly turned the tables by taking the opening 1m4½f handicap on the Fanshawe-trained Second Slip in smooth fashion.

Mitchell was involved in the Racing League's first ever dead heat when he made it a double on the night as Bonneval, again trained by Fanshawe, was forced to share the spoils with team eToro's Delgrey Boy and David Allan.

The Racing League leading jockey, who rode a career-best 103 winners last year, indicated he would likely be forced to share some of the £25,000 bonus he received as leading jockey due to the demands of his colleagues in the weighing room.

Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, Mitchell said: "They're actually trying to work out how many beers they can get in that I can pay for. There's been beer orders, gin orders and champagne orders. It's amazing to win any kind of competition but this is something new and something I'm all for. I've had a lot of great support from the trainers and the horses I've ridden so it all plays a part."

Mitchell and Bonneval shared the spoils in a dead heat with David Allan on Delgrey BoyCredit: Andrew Parker/Grossick Racing

Broadcaster and team manager Bell, who jokingly compared himself to Pep Guardiola in the aftermath of the triumph, echoed the sentiments of Mitchell in praising the training performance and said: "Big up to the trainers. Clearly they work very hard behind the scenes. We were way off the pace but then James Fanshawe's horses ran brilliantly and Jack Mitchell's riding, fair play.

"It's been different and it's been great fun. I've thoroughly enjoyed the six weeks."

Results and replays from Newcastle's Racing League meeting

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