Stable Staff award winner sentenced to nine months in prison for burglary

Adrian Stewart, the former young offender whose life was so transformed by racing that he ended up winning a Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff award, has been sent to prison for nine months.

Having spent time in jail earlier in his life for offences such as drug dealing and dangerous driving, he joined Dave Loughnane in Shropshire after doing a foundation course at the National Horseracing College.

He made such good progress that he was presented with the David Nicholson Newcomer Award at a ceremony in London in 2018 and said at the time: "The horses have given me a whole different life that I could only have dreamed and wished for."

Adrian Stewart is presented the David Nicholson Newcomer Award by Ed Chamberlin and Michael OwenCredit: Dan Abraham

But this week he was sent back to prison for nine months after pleading guilty to burglary and attempted burglary in relation to break-ins in the Wakefield area earlier this year.

Reported in the Yorkshire Post, Craig Sutcliffe told Leeds Crown Court in mitigation that Stewart, 34, had returned to West Yorkshire after his relationship with his girlfriend broke down and said: "He began using drink and drugs to try to stabilise himself.

"Since this case has been awaiting court, he has re-established with his partner; he looks to return to Shropshire and to the riding community."

Passing sentence, Recorder Catherine Silverton said: "You have a long record of offending going back to 2004 but very little from 2011 onwards. You had a difficult background, but you showed you were capable of turning yourself around. You found your niche and carved out a good career.

"You are at a crossroads in your life. You have taken the wrong turn and if you continue to go down this road you will be looking at a considerably longer sentence than this.

"If you resume your employment and do not trouble the court again, you are looking at a brighter future."

'He has had a hard start in life'

Stewart, originally from Leeds, left Loughnane soon after winning his award and then worked in Newmarket for a time.

Looking back on his troubled early life, he once recounted he was "at rock bottom" when he attended a Bible class in the chapel at Wealstun prison in Wetherby, where it was suggested he apply to the racing college.

That led ultimately to his working for Loughnane, who said after his award win: "He asked for an opportunity and we gave it to him. He has had a hard start in life. He is a credit to racing."

Stewart also featured in 2018 in a Racing Post '35 under 35' list of young people who have made a positive impact on the sport in Britain, described as: "A shining example of how racing can turn lives around and give opportunities to all, regardless of background."

Read these next:

Racing gives Adrian Stewart second chance following spell in prison

Hard-working, talented and inspirational – an alternative 35 under 35

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday