A NORTH-EAST racecourse has announced the winners of two competitions designed to reward loyal and supportive trainers and stable yards.

Sedgefield Racecourse has this week named the 2016 champions of Beat the Best and the Best Turned Out, two titles created last year.

Beat the Best, established at a tribute to late the great horse trainer Denys Smith, went to to Brian Ellison who placed first with 96 Sedgefield wins.

Mr Ellison currently has more than 140 horses in training at his training yard in Malton and has so far trained more than 1,000 winners.

And the Best Turned Out gong has been won by Donald McCain whose stable yard took the lead with 15 best turned out horses.

He has 100 horses in training at his yard in Cheshire.

Prizes, including luxury hampers, polos and carrots for the horses and Arena Racing Company (ARC) annual badges, will be presented on Thursday, February 23, by Martin Cruddace, chief executive officer of ARC.

A spokesperson for Sedgefield Racecourse said: “Sedgefield Racecourse wish to thank all of their loyal owners, trainers and stable yards for their long-term and continued support and would like to take this opportunity to remind all that the competitions have now re-opened for 2017.”

For more information about the raceday event call 01740 621925 or visit www.sedgefield-racecourse.co.uk