Cheltenham Racecourse has been presented with a major industry honour - for its very own awards ceremony.

The venue gained recognition in the Best Awards Event category at the Conference Awards 2018. It was given a bronze trophy for The McCoys South West Jump Awards - which went ahead for the very first time last year.

The McCoys celebrated achievements, excellence, hard work and dedication in the world of jump racing across Cheltenham, Exeter, Warwick and Wincanton racecourses during the 2016/17 season. Not only that, the event was also a chance to recognise and honour the work of Sir Anthony McCoy.

Racecourse team members joined a whole host of industry representatives and fellow nominees at a ceremony held at City Central in the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) in London.

Lee Moulson, regional head of sales at Cheltenham Racecourse, said: "We are thrilled that we were given a bronze for The McCoys South West Jump Awards, which is great for our first year.

"To have the ceremony be recognised in its inaugural year is a huge honour and we are all so pleased with the achievement. Everyone worked so hard for the evening, so this Conference Award is for all the long hours they put into it."

The awards will be back this year on Friday 28th September and they have evolved into The McCoys Jockey Club Jumps Awards - recognising achievement from across the group.

Lee added: "The plan is to make them bigger than 2017. That is why the name has been changed to The McCoys Jockey Club Jumps Awards, because this year it will involve all Jockey Club Jumps Racecourses.

"We have the bronze, now we have something bigger to aim for, so we will all be striving for that."

The Conference Awards recognise, celebrate and encourage achievement in conference and events.