Lesters to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing this weekend

Racing's annual end-of-year awards ceremony for jockeys, the Lesters, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday evening.

The broadcaster has agreed a deal with the Professional Jockeys Association, with a special 90-minute long 'Get In - Lester Awards Special' airing from 5.30pm.

Hosted by Luke Harvey and Jason Weaver, the Lesters special will celebrate the achievements of Flat and jump jockeys.

Nine awards will be made, including Flat and Jump jockey of the year, and Flat and Jump ride of the year, plus special recognition awards for both codes.

Sky Sports Racing director of broadcast Rob Dakin said: “We are delighted to team up with the PJA on this project once again, giving the Lesters live broadcast exposure for the first time on Sky Sports Racing.

"We’re always keen to showcase the incredible skills and dedication of our leading jockeys and this special programme will be a must-watch for all racing fans."

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the PJA, said: “With no title sponsor for the event this year, we were facing potentially another blank year for the Lesters so we were delighted when Sky Sports Racing agreed to produce a Lesters special, as they did in 2017.

"I'm sure Luke and Jason will make it another fun evening for the deserving award winners as well as the Sky Sports Racing viewers. We are currently working on plans to bring back the live event awards ceremony in 2020 and hope to have some good news in the new year."

Read The Lowdown from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news